Born and raised in Puerto Rico, third-semester American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC) medical student Guillermo Reyes Martinez grew up with the notion that education was a privilege that should not be taken lightly. He credits his mother for providing the education opportunities that he received, including attending a private school, skipping a grade, and advancing to dual high school and college level classes at the age of 15.
At the University of Puerto Rico, Reyes Martinez pursued his bachelor’s degree in biology. However, this was not without adversities. Hurricane Irma devastated the island in the middle of his studies, and during the suspension of classes, he became involved in community service as a coordinator for the organization and distribution of first-aid supplies to those impacted by the natural disaster.
Eventually, Reyes Martinez transferred to the University of Colorado in Boulder, CO to continue his studies. This is when Reyes Martinez was able to dive into his medical interests. He entered the Integrated Physiology program, started developing chemotherapy research publications and training students in the animal research laboratory, all while deciding to apply for medical school.
Engaging in the Community at AUC
Now attending AUC – a decision he said came easy since it is close to his home island of Puerto Rico – Reyes Martinez continues to be engaged in the community. Having experienced issues with access to healthcare in Puerto Rico after his mother suffered a shoulder injury, he hopes to make an impact in that area through his academic journey at AUC, “That experience motivated me to pursue a career where I can change that.” He is interested in becoming a pain management anesthesiologist and would like to go back to Colorado where he hopes to help address health disparities in the Hispanic and LGBTQ communities.
“People from underrepresented ethnicities around the country face disparities in patient care as a consequence of public misconceptions,” says Reyes Martinez. “Being able to help the LGBTQ, Hispanic, as well as all other communities as a pain management anesthesiologist is more than a dream; it is a duty.”
His advice to other medical students looking to find motivation in their journey is, “Keep your priorities straight. It’s really easy to just drift and think you have time to do other things. Remember why you’re here. There’s a greater purpose – to become a doctor and make a difference.”
Guillermo Reyes Martinez is a recipient of the Empower Scholarship Fund AUC Howard Design Group Scholarship, designed to support students like Reyes Martinez continue their medical student journeys and impact the communities they are involved in. Learn more about the Empower Scholarship Fund at their website.
