I collect memories of touching moments after helping and unknowingly inspiring someone, whether it be students from Leaders in Education Awareness Program (LEAP) or patients I meet from COPE. This pushes me to fulfill the potential that people believe I have and to continue to give back by helping others.
Patricio Ruano, Biology & Global Studies
By Alyssa Ayudante
President's Scholar, Biology '21
Patricio Ruano is a first-generation college graduate who double majored in Biology and Global Studies.
Patricio volunteered for nearly two years in LEAP and volunteered with the annual Science Carnival. Through a collaboration between LEAP and Dr. Phillip Hampton, he was able to help create the 鈥淟EAPing into Science鈥 program. This program offers a unique opportunity for K-8 students to visit 海角社区CI and learn about higher education with a special emphasis on STEM within the college world. He recalled, 鈥淚 remember there was a little girl from LEAP that thanked me by giving me a squishy turtle toy. I overheard her telling the chaperone, 鈥業 wanna be like Patricio one day,鈥 as she was walking away鈥. Patricio keeps that turtle on the dashboard of his car, it gives him motivation. 鈥淚t鈥檚 crazy to think that I played a part in her journey. It makes me want to be the version of 鈥楶atricio鈥 that she saw in me.鈥
Amongst his off-campus service work, Patricio鈥檚 near two-year involvement with the COPE Health Scholars program is very meaningful to him. 鈥淚t鈥檚 common to find Spanish-speaking patients that find it difficult to communicate and connect with a provider,鈥 Patricio explains, 鈥淪ometimes just having another Spanish speaker in the room can positively impact that patient鈥檚 demeanor and communication鈥. Even though he does not have training in medical translating, he says, 鈥淭he fact that I earn the patients鈥 trust and can make them feel better-taken care of by speaking to them and reassuring them is awesome.鈥
Patricio graduated in May 2021 and will attend medical school at Michigan State University鈥檚 College of Human Medicine (MSU CHM) in the Fall. He was accepted into specialized education and training program. Within MSU CHM and the LMU program, he will not only gain the education to become a physician but do so with service at the forefront.
Patricio is also committed to remaining connected to 海角社区CI. Along with organizations such as EOP, PEEP, and the MDC, he will act as an Alumni Advisor and mentor for 海角社区CI鈥檚 American Medical Student Association (AMSA) chapter. He encourages any aspiring medical students (and any student at all!) at 海角社区CI to contact him at ruanopat@msu.edu
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