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
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 “LEAPing into Science” program. This program offers a unique opportunity for K-8 students to visit CSUCI and learn about higher education with a special emphasis on STEM within the college world. He recalled, “I remember there was a little girl from LEAP that thanked me by giving me a squishy turtle toy. I overheard her telling the chaperone, ‘I wanna be like Patricio one day,’ as she was walking away”. Patricio keeps that turtle on the dashboard of his car, it gives him motivation. “It’s crazy to think that I played a part in her journey. It makes me want to be the version of ‘Patricio’ that she saw in me.”
Amongst his off-campus service work, Patricio’s near two-year involvement with the COPE Health Scholars program is very meaningful to him. “It’s common to find Spanish-speaking patients that find it difficult to communicate and connect with a provider,” Patricio explains, “Sometimes just having another Spanish speaker in the room can positively impact that patient’s demeanor and communication”. Even though he does not have training in medical translating, he says, “The fact that I earn the patients’ trust and can make them feel better-taken care of by speaking to them and reassuring them is awesome.”
Patricio graduated in May 2021 and will attend medical school at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine (MSU CHM) in the Fall. He was accepted into MSU CHM’s Leadership in Medicine for the Underserved 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 CSUCI. Along with organizations such as EOP, PEEP, and the MDC, he will act as an Alumni Advisor and mentor for CSUCI’s American Medical Student Association (AMSA) chapter. He encourages any aspiring medical students (and any student at all!) at CSUCI to contact him at ruanopat@msu.edu
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