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Surgical Resident Encourages Hispanic Youth to Pursue Career in Health Care Livingston, N.J, September 26, 2003.— Raquel Gonzalez, M.D., could have used her vacation time to take a trip to any number of exotic locales. Instead, the second year surgical resident at Saint Barnabas Medical Center spent a week in Washington, D.C. as a faculty advisor for a program that exposes underprivileged Hispanic high school students to career opportunities in the health care field. The highlight of the National Hispanic Youth Initiative was a visit from Surgeon General Vice Admiral Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.S., who is also Hispanic. “Hispanics are underrepresented in the health care community,” says Ms. Gonzales, M.D. “Most of the students are not aware of the opportunities. The weeklong program shows them what they can achieve. We give them ideas and show them how to get help with scholarships, grants and other means for higher education. The goal of the program is to encourage those who do go into a medical field to take that knowledge back to their communities.” Dr. Gonzales was able to participate in the program after her advisors in the Department of Surgery at Saint Barnabas granted special permission. “We recognize the importance of programs like this to the community,” says Dennis Filippone, M.D., Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Saint Barnabas. “We also see it as a rewarding opportunity for our residents who learn to be good citizens, not just good surgeons.” The program, sponsored by the Interamerican College of Physicians and Surgeons, Inc., includes student visits to the National Institutes of Health, The Food and Drug Administration, the Uniformed Services Medical School, the Smithsonian and the Kennedy Center. The 75 students who attended from July 18-27 stayed in dormitories and attended a graduation banquet. The initiative is intended to motivate and prepare students for health care and biomedical careers. Since the program’s inception in 1988, more than 1,500 Hispanic junior and senior high school students have participated. More than 600 students applied for the program this year and participants were chosen based on grades and an essay. Dr. Gonzales has participated in the program for several years, first as a medical student in Puerto Rico, and now as a resident. She has kept in touch with many of the students from past years and her presence encourages them to reach for their highest aspirations. “I encourage them to keep an open mind, realizing that no goal is impossible to attain,” she says with a smile. “I’m female and Hispanic and a surgical resident. You try to help them to see the possibilities. They are very grateful for your time and attention.” Dr. Gonzales says the students were most impressed by a visit from the Surgeon General. Born in New York City, Dr. Carmona dropped out of high school and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1967. While enlisted he received his Army General Equivalency Diploma, joined the Army's Special Forces, becoming a combat-decorated Vietnam veteran, and began his career in medicine. At the University of California Medical School, Dr. Carmona was awarded the prestigious gold-headed cane as the top graduate. “He was very nice to them and quite open,” says Dr. Gonzales. “The fact that he dropped out of high school and was not a straight A student, yet went on to such a distinguished career, was inspirational for the students. It was very nice that he took the time to speak to them. To reach the Department of Surgery at Saint Barnabas Medical Center, please call (973) 322-5195. [ top ] |
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