Preclinical

Alex Fernandez (1 Posts)

Contributing Writer

Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine


Alex is a second year medical student at Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine in Miami, Florida class of 2027. In 2020, he graduated from Florida International University with a Bachelor of Science in biology. He enjoys reading, songwriting, and cooking in his free time. After graduating medical school, Alex would like to pursue a speciality in Anesthesiology.




A Lesson in Forest Green: How a Pediatric Clinic Revived My Why

Oh God, what time is it? I stumbled over to my bedside table in pitch-black darkness, thanks to my new blackout curtains, which continue to be the best financial decision I have ever made, and checked my phone that was blasting my alarm. The brightness of my phone blinded me at first, but then my eyes adjusted to its shine, and I came face to face with my terrifying reality on this simple Tuesday morning …

Take My Hand

I do not know what to say or feel when I first meet you. My first instinct is to introduce myself, but you can neither hear me nor reply. When you are uncovered, I finally get to see you. During a typical encounter with a stranger, it is customary to make eye contact and exchange names. It is out of respect for you, however, that I cannot see your face or even know your name. …

Silent Strength: Unveiling the Hidden Depths of Grief and Understanding

“Your time starts now. You may begin your examination.” These were the words said moments before a life-altering moment during my high school years. It was a typical Saturday morning, and like many high school students, I was caught up in the whirlwind of SAT preparation and college applications. Little did I know that a phone call from my Aunt Lucy would change the way I viewed life and death forever. To truly understand the …

Winning the Healthcare Game

Ever since I could remember, I stood out in my class for all the wrong reasons. I was the kid who dangled his feet from chairs while others rested their feet flat, the kid forced to stand in the front during class photos and the kid who always had his height checked by the ride operator during field trips to the local amusement parks. But it wasn’t just a matter of being short, I was …

A widowmaker, and some musings on empathy

“How’d you land in medical school?” Whenever someone asks me this, a family of frogs almost always immediately hatches in my throat. My long-winded journey itself doesn’t jerk tears, but the question always reminds me of the day I applied. The same word, like clockwork upon the inquiry, flashes from my heart like it’s a bat signal. “Widowmaker.”  Before medical school, my personal experiences with the health care system were mostly tied to those of …

Conflict of Interest

It was just like any other screening visit and I had already organized the clinical trial documents in preparation for the patient’s arrival. The moment that the electronic medical record refreshed to show that our 9 a.m. patient arrived, I knew  it was my cue. I brought the patient back to the exam room and told him that the doctor would be with him soon. The patient, EM, a man in his 70s, was here …

My Best Friend

The clock strikes 12, and there is silence. My apartment from the street appears to be dark, but the light in my room is on; I am wide awake with my best friend. He has many scars from my abuse over the years — deep scratches, soft blemishes, light scuffs. Nevertheless, with my tuning, he still sings beautifully. His voice, mellifluous, rings out in the silence. He is an antique, my most prized possession, my …

Filial Piety

In his 2019 Netflix Special, comedian Ronnie Chieng made some of the most astute (and hilarious) observations on a long held Asian American model minority stereotype. In a short three minute segment, Ronnie delivered over the top impressions of Asian parents’ carnal thirst for ‘money and prestige’ that’s only quenched by having a doctor in the family.  He moved on to quickly highlight the insidious irony of the very same parental figures being just as …

To The Incoming Medical Student

It was a warm summer day in July, and I felt trepidation as I prepared to meet my very first patient. This encounter marked my initiation into the world of clinical practice as a budding, first-year medical student. My patient, whom I will refer to as Bob, appeared to be in his late 50s. He was of average height, with a sturdy, muscular build and a distinguished touch of gray lining his temples. His eyes …

Monica Botross (1 Posts)

Contributing Writer

Burnett School of Medicine at Texas Christian University


Monica is a medical student at the Burnett School of Medicine at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, Class of 2026. In 2021, she graduated from the University of California, Irvine, with a Bachelor of Science in Neurobiology and a minor in Art History. She enjoys going on long sunset walks, visiting local museums and spending quality time with friends. She hopes to incorporate her passion for writing into her future career as a physician-author.