Numa Perez Jr.
What inspires or motivates you in your role at HMS/HSDM?
I came to medicine with one goal in mind, to help those that are ill return to good health and to aid those that cannot return to good health live their days with dignity and comfort. Despite the many factors in our current health care environment that distract our attention from effective patient care, I find extreme fulfillment in every patient interaction I'm fortunate to have, and I use those as a driving force to continue working hard toward becoming the best physician I can be.
What are you most proud of about your work at HMS/HSDM?
I think I am most proud of the different volunteering opportunities I've been fortunate to participate in. From caring for underserved patients in our student-run clinic to teaching sexual education to teens at risk, I've obtained great fulfillment from giving back to those that are less fortunate and often lack even the most basic resources.
What unique skills and/or talents do you bring to your job?
I would not want to claim having any "unique" skills or talents because HMS is full of amazing people with impressive qualities. That being said, perhaps something that is special about my life story are my past experiences as a U.S Marine and an Electrical Engineer. These have greatly influenced every aspect of my being, from my personality to the way I think about problems and deal with adversity, and allow me to approach every interaction with patients and colleagues with a unique mindset.
What is the significance of the object you brought with you to the photo shoot?
My parents and I moved to El Salvador when I was one and a half years old, and I moved back to the U.S. when I was seventeen. While there, I attended a catholic school from first to 12th grade. wear this little medal of the Virgin Mary to remind myself of who I am and where I came from, and to keep in mind how I felt when I was just a Salvadoran kid trying to catch a break in the big U.S. It serves as a constant reminder that I am not so different from the underserved immigrant patients I take care of - it's just l've been in the right place at the right time and have been fortunate to be presented with opportunities they perhaps have not, despite working extremely hard. This medal of the Virgin Mary keeps me grounded, which is where I hope to remain as I progress in my training toward becoming a general surgeon, and achieve my dream to help those that are ill return to good health, and aid those that cannot return to good health live their days with dignity and comfort.