When working with his patients, Dr. Ivan Escudero remembers this quote by Dr. William Osler, “The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease”. It inspires him to “Aim to always be a great physician, never stop learning and never lose sight of where you are going”.
Dr. Escudero, who graduated from Saint James School of Medicine in 2018, is originally from Toronto, Canada and completed his undergraduate degree in Biology at York University. That was where, in his first year of undergrad, he realized he wanted to pursue a career in medicine. He found his calling volunteering at a local hospital.
“While I was there, I saw first-hand high-quality patient care and the personal connection medical staff had with their patients and the community as a whole. That environment resonated strongly with me. Growing up in a small community, I felt a sense of belonging and unity with my community. To find medical staff that shared the same values as me is what made me decide that medicine is the right career for me. I want to be at the forefront of high-quality patient care, be a pillar in the community, an extension of my patients’ family and a voice for those who may not have one. The values of honesty, integrity, maturity and compassion, which I grew up with, carried with me into medical school and will carry with me into my residency and independent practise.”
He heard about Saint James School of Medicine from a friend, and chose SJSM because of “the low student-teacher ratio, which made me feel a sense of family, belonging and support. I chose SJSM because of the opportunity to do clinical rotations across many states in the US. I was also attracted to SJSM’s extensive network, particularly in Chicago, Illinois, and in Virginia knowing that I would receive a high-quality medical education that would prepare me for residency.”
We asked Dr. Escudero what he enjoyed most while attending SJSM, “Aside from studying on an island with the most beautiful beaches in the world, friendly local people and warm weather, I really enjoyed SJSM’s open-door policy, dedication to each student’s success, the family-oriented environment, and the commitment to the local people of Anguilla in health fairs through Anguilla Red Cross. SJSM gave me the resources and tools to help me successfully pass the USMLE exams and be a competitive candidate for a residency position.”
Dr. Ivan Escudero graduated from SJSM in 2018 and matched for residency this year in Family Medicine at Detroit Medical Center-Wayne State University. He plans to complete a fellowship in sports medicine and eventually open his own medical practice. Dr. Escudero is also interested in teaching in both the classroom and clinical setting.
Finally, we asked Dr. Escudero what advice he would give to students considering attending Saint James School of Medicine, “My advice to someone thinking about attending SJSM is that SJSM is most definitely a great medical school to go to. At SJSM, you will find the support and tools to succeed in your medical career.”
We’d like to thank Dr. Ivan Escudero for taking the time for our interview. You can learn more about Saint James School of Medicine at www.SJSM.org. Check back monthly for our alumni, faculty, and student spotlights on our blog!
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