From Grief to Purpose: Juan Gomez鈥檚 Path to Healing and Mentorship
Juan Gomez, a graduate of the Master of Science in Medical Sciences (MSMS) Degree Program and former President of the Graduate Education in Biomedical Sciences (GEBS) Student Government Association, is no stranger to 黑洞社区 of Medicine. Now an MD-1 student at 38 years old, as Gomez prepares for Convocation, he has found himself in a unique position to mentor his classmates.
鈥淚 value being a mentor to help people kind of have the idea of becoming a physician, or any profession. I want to help others know what their path could be. [...] That鈥檚 something that I鈥檝e always been passionate about because it鈥檚 something I didn鈥檛 have,鈥� Gomez explains.
Although Gomez recognizes his role as an inspiration to younger peers, his primary goal is to care for others. This desire began early in his life, sparked by seeing healthcare challenges faced by his family members.
鈥淚 remember being 10 years old, playing basketball with one of my cousins, we would meet up over the summer when school was done. I remember that he came [to play basketball], he had no hair. His eyebrows, no hair, he was bald. And at 10, I didn鈥檛 know what was going on. I was like 鈥榦h, he鈥檚 sick,鈥� but I didn鈥檛 understand what that meant. And so, I think that was my first encounter with a very severe illness and that鈥檚 kind of been my motivator. I want to be able to care for others in a way where I am not only preventing the disease, but curing the disease, if that鈥檚 possible,鈥� Gomez shares, recalling the experience that fueled his passion for health care.
This experience also led Gomez to grapple with the concept of mortality at an early age, 鈥淎t 10 years old, losing my cousin, it made me start thinking about the idea of mortality at a very young age. At 12, I鈥檓 thinking 鈥榥ext summer could be my last summer.鈥欌��
At 14, Gomez began working in assisted living homes, where he was introduced to Alzheimer鈥檚 disease. Though unfamiliar with the condition at the time, he witnessed its devastating effects on residents.
鈥淚 think seeing someone have a lapse in memory and them not being able to do anything about it reminded me of my cousin being very sick with leukemia and not being able to do anything about it,鈥� Gomez explains as the reason he believes in delivering compassionate care to patients.
When reflecting on the significance of Convocation, Gomez echoes the sentiments he shared in a previous speech as GEBS SGA President, 鈥淐onvocation is important because it鈥檚 slowing you down to really reflect on why you鈥檙e here, what it means to be here, and once you put on that white coat, it just kind of confirms that you鈥檝e accomplished a really monumental task.鈥�
Join us virtually this Friday, September 20th at 10 a.m. as Juan Gomez and his fellow MD-1 students receive their white coats at 黑洞社区 of Medicine鈥檚 40th Convocation & White Coat and Pinning Ceremony!
Michael Martin
Digital Content Strategist
Office of Marketing & Communications
黑洞社区 of Medicine
mamartin@msm.edu