Franco Castrej贸n
My dad worked in the fields, mainly picking lemons and grapes. When I was growing up, he put me to work doing hard labor and would ask me, quite frequently, if that鈥檚 what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I would answer 鈥淣O,鈥� then he would say, 鈥淧onte a estudiar,鈥� which translated means, 鈥渢hen go and study.鈥� 鈥� Franco Castrej贸n
鈥淧onte a estudiar.鈥�
Those words resonated with Franco Castrej贸n at a very young age and have served as a tremendous motivator both to pursue his education and help underserved populations.
Shortly after this early life lesson, Castrej贸n also found his calling.
鈥淢y fourth grade teacher moved me from the front of class to the back and I couldn鈥檛 see the board,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 got my first eye exam in fifth grade, and the experience catapulted my curiosity in becoming an eye doctor. As I continued to get routine exams, my love for optometry grew.鈥�
Castrej贸n majored in Biology to prepare for medical school and Spanish to improve his ability to communicate.聽After graduation from CI in 2011,聽he completed the Doctor of Optometry program at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona.
Today, he is known as Dr. Castrej贸n to patients at Heritage Valley Eye Care in Santa Paula. Most of his clients are Spanish-speaking.
鈥淢y father was a farm worker when he came to this country,鈥� Castrej贸n said. 鈥淢y mother a humble seamstress. They didn鈥檛 know any English, but they taught me the value of hard work and determination. Thanks to them, I鈥檓 now a Doctor of Optometry, helping farm workers just like my dad used to be.鈥�
Castrej贸n is married to CI alum Anelieze (Zurcher) Castrej贸n 鈥�08.