Name: Lois Faith Baldado Hometown: Mission, TX Year in medical school: MS2 Graduation class year: 2028
What inspired you to become a doctor?
My parents and family friends were all nurses, so I was exposed to the medical field at a young age. However, I became interested in healthcare when I visited my sick grandmother in the Philippines. It was through this experience that I learned more about illness, aging, and death. I was interested in healthcare ever since, and I am grateful to God for allowing me to pursue this career path.
Why did you choose the UTRGV School of Medicine?
I chose the UTRGV School of Medicine because my family's support system is vital to me. Medical school is incredibly difficult, and being able to see my family on the weekends has brought me much comfort in stressful times. Having a small class size and being able to learn more about healthcare in my hometown have also been important factors in staying here for medical school.
The UTRGV School of Medicine is a practicing academic medical institution. What aspect of academic medicine impacts you the most? (Educational, clinical, research, etc.)
I am interested in the educational aspect of academic medicine. I would love to become a physician-professor or mentor to pre-medical and medical students in the future. Guiding, teaching, and mentoring have been my strengths as a leader. I am also interested in learning more about medical education and ways to facilitate medical learning.
What specialties of medicine or research interest you the most? Why?
Although my future specialty choice is not yet set in stone, I am interested in pediatrics or anesthesia. In college, I volunteered as a medical assistant at a pediatrics clinic, where I gained clinical experience. I would love to work with children in the future and be in a positive learning environment. I am also interested in anesthesia due to its diverse roles in surgery and outpatient clinics. I have yet to learn more about these two fields, and I am excited to see what I accomplish in the future.
What is one interesting fact others might not know about you?
I love drawing portraits. I have been drawing people since elementary school, and I would like to keep this skill for the rest of my life. I also love traveling, and I have already made a list of places I want to visit. I watch travel YouTube vlogs all the time to expand my "future travels" list.
