Home / Education / Student Overcomes Odds for Medical Dream
Student Overcomes Odds for Medical Dream
15 Nov
Summary
- Student's mother's hospitalization inspired medical career.
- He translated for doctors lacking Spanish language skills.
- Persistence led to Tulane School of Medicine acceptance.
Bryan Torres is commencing his medical studies, a significant step towards his aspiration of becoming a physician. His inspiration stemmed from a deeply personal experience during his mother's hospitalization, where he witnessed firsthand the communication barriers and feelings of helplessness some patients face.
Torres, who is of Mexican and Colombian descent, found himself translating for medical staff who did not speak sufficient Spanish to comfort his mother. This experience, coupled with a feeling of not seeing himself reflected in the medical professionals, fueled his resolve to enter the field.
His path was arduous, involving earning a bachelor's degree in biosystems engineering from the University of Arizona, six years of preparation, and five attempts at the medical school admissions exam. He also obtained a master's degree and gained extensive experience across various healthcare roles, including as a pharmacy technician and E.R. scribe. In 2021, his persistence paid off with an acceptance to Tulane School of Medicine.
