A personal essay by Ivan Alexis Martinez Diez-Muro, student
When I first enrolled at the 51吃瓜网 as a public health major, I wasn鈥檛 entirely sure where the journey would lead me. I had a deep interest in health and medicine, but like many students early in their college careers, I was still figuring things out. Today, I鈥檓 proud to say that I鈥檓 working as a medical scribe for a high-volume cardiology practice鈥攁n experience that鈥檚 deepened my passion for medicine and affirmed my goal of becoming an interventional cardiologist.
It didn鈥檛 happen overnight. Getting this job took persistence, preparation, and a willingness to learn. But more than anything, it took saying 鈥測es鈥� to opportunity鈥攅ven when I felt uncertain or underqualified.
At , I learned the value of preventative care and population health, but I also discovered how these concepts connect directly to individual patient outcomes. That connection became clearer through my coursework, especially in modules related to chronic disease and health systems. I began to see that cardiology wasn鈥檛 just about treating heart attacks鈥攊t was about understanding the broader context: lifestyle, access to care, and long-term risk management.
Outside the classroom, I sought out experiences that would build my understanding of the healthcare field. I volunteered in hospitals, shadowed physicians in various specialties鈥攊ncluding orthopedic surgery and bariatric surgery鈥攁nd spent time assisting at homeless shelters during high school. Each experience opened my eyes a little more to the realities of medicine, and to the importance of compassion, precision, and teamwork.
But I knew I needed more hands-on exposure. That鈥檚 when I started looking into becoming a medical scribe. I wanted to be in the room where decisions were made鈥攖o see how doctors communicated with patients, documented care, and made life-saving choices under pressure. When I got the call offering me a position with a local cardiology practice, I was thrilled.
Now, I work full time from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Every day, I shadow cardiologists during patient visits, document histories, physical exams, diagnostic results, and treatment plans. It鈥檚 intense and fast-paced, but also incredibly rewarding. I鈥檝e learned medical terminology, how to read EKGs and echocardiograms, and how to communicate effectively with healthcare teams. I鈥檝e seen firsthand how public health knowledge enhances patient care鈥攆rom counseling on lifestyle changes to managing complex chronic conditions.
This role has done more than sharpen my clinical knowledge. It鈥檚 helped me grow as a future healthcare professional. I鈥檝e learned to think critically, stay organized under pressure, and communicate clearly and empathetically. Most importantly, I鈥檝e found role models in the physicians I work with鈥攑eople who are not only brilliant clinicians but also deeply committed to their patients鈥� well-being.
Looking ahead, I鈥檓 preparing for the MCAT and planning to apply to medical school in the 2026鈥�2027 application cycle. My ultimate goal is to become an interventional cardiologist, combining technical skill with human connection to make a lasting difference in people鈥檚 lives.
USF鈥檚 College of Public Health gave me the foundation I needed to take this next step鈥攁nd I鈥檓 grateful every day for the opportunities I鈥檝e found through this community. If there鈥檚 one piece of advice I鈥檇 give to other students, it鈥檚 this: don鈥檛 wait until you feel 鈥渞eady.鈥� Take the leap. You never know what doors it might open.