Hey everyone,
My name is Esdras Rodriguez and this is my third internship with OC! A ton has happened since my initial beginning with OC back in 2015 and so here are some updates! I’ll provide the basics again, inform you about what I’m doing this year, and we’ll go from there!
As stated in the previous two introduction blogs, I was born and raised in the small town of Friona, Texas! I lived in Friona for eighteen years and graduated in 2014. From there I decided to continue my education by attending West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas, where I am now currently a senior. My time at WTAMU has been amazing and I couldn’t be happier with my home away from home. I am currently about to complete the pursuit of obtaining dual degrees in both biochemistry and biology as well as a minor in communicational studies. Upon my graduation in May, I am going to pursue a medical doctorate, which leads me to my next topic; the updates!
In last year’s introduction blog I was able to highlight how Ogallala Commons was vital in helping me become a part of the Joint Admissions Medical Program (JAMP) of Texas. JAMP is a Texas legislative program brought into existence to help underprivileged individuals get into a Texas medical school whom would otherwise not have the resources or financial means to do so. Last year I was able to have my first JAMP summer internship along with my second OC internship in which I learned a vast amount about medicine in general. However many things have occurred! First I had a tough spring 2017 semester in which I had to prepare for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) in order to see if I was able to interview for medical school throughout the summer. Luckily, the Lord blessed me with the ability to have passed the MCAT with a score necessary to have a guaranteed acceptance into a Texas school! So throughout my during this summer, I will be able to interview at nine medical schools in Texas to find out where I am going in October! I am forever thankful to OC for getting me my first real-world medical experiences and for helping me get into the JAMP program. OC provided amazing insight into the field I now love and cling to and will continue to do so during this year’s internship.
The internship for this year will be a continuation of last years along with more hands-on-work. Last year I was able to be a scribe and medical assistant for my personal family physician of 21 years, Dr. Felipe Jubay. This year’s internship will consist of me working alongside him as his scribe and medical assistant as before but now that we have built a sense of trust along with my medical knowledge, he is going to mentor me in learning about diseases more in-depth and the diagnosis/treatment involved with them. I plan on being able to learn how technology and lab work, such as X-rays and various blood work, are used to diagnose diseases. From here I hope to be able to build on my patient care skills in order to find a way to help patients overcome their illnesses and ailments. Lastly, I hope to be able to continue to help Dr. Jubay in translating as well as in hands-on techniques such as auscultating and patient care procedures. OC helped me build a strong bond with my family physician and he is now one of my mentors and great friends. For that and everything above, as well as everything that is to come, I am very grateful.
