My journey to becoming a pediatrician

“Once upon a time, there was a widowed farmer. The farmer and his only son worked with their last horse. One day, the son forgot to lock the stable, and the horse ran away. When the neighbors learned what had happened, they said, ‘Without your horse, you won’t be able to maintain the farm. This is a great tragedy!’ The farmer replied, ‘Maybe yes, maybe no. The next day, the missing horse returned to the stable, bringing six wild horses. When the neighbors learned what had happened, they said, ‘How lucky you are! Now you have seven horses. What a blessing!’ The farmer replied, ‘Maybe yes, maybe no.’ The next day, the farmer’s son broke his leg while riding one of the wild horses. ‘What a tragedy!’ the neighbors said this time. The farmer replied, ‘Maybe yes, maybe no.’ The day after that, the army arrived to recruit all the young men, but the farmer’s son, because of his broken leg, was not taken.”

I think about this story often. It reminds me not to jump to conclusions when something happens that changes my life. Today, I want to share my journey to becoming a pediatrician. Like in the story, I had some good things turn bad, and some bad things turn good.

In my early years in medical school, I thought I would become a surgeon. After graduating, I was thrilled to find a job with a good salary, planning to save money for a surgery residency. However, that job lasted only eight months. The hospital decided to hire a rural physician instead of a licensed physician (me), so I was laid off. I quickly found a new position in a clinic’s children’s program. I had little experience in pediatrics and felt awkward around children, but I decided to give it a try. That was my first experience working with kids, and I found it fun and rewarding. I even started considering pediatric surgery to combine both interests.

In 2018, I moved from Colombia to the United States to be with my boyfriend in Chicago. It felt like a dream; I was truly happy. However, the relationship ended six months after my move, leaving me heartbroken. Applying for surgery required high USMLE scores, which felt impossible as I cried and studied. Moreover, pediatric surgery would take nine years of training, and I did not want to stay in residency that long. I decided to change my application to pediatrics, where the score requirements were more flexible and easier to be accepted. Letting go of my dream of surgery was difficult, but it seemed like the best option.

I had some savings from my work in Colombia, and my family supported me. However, in 2020, the pandemic delayed my residency application, and I began running out of money. I took a job as a nanny, and that role changed my life. I learned how to care for children like an older sister or mother would. Most importantly, I connected deeply with the children and learned from them. Spending time with Baby Q and Baby C was the highlight of my days. During moments of stress and sadness, they brought me joy and hope. By the end of nearly two years as a nanny, it was clear that pediatrics was my true calling. Because of Baby Q and Baby C, I felt more prepared to begin my residency and to practice pediatrics. Baby Q and Baby C are not babies anymore, they may never understand how much they did for me; I am forever indebted to them, and I love them with all my heart.

On the journey from medical school to finding my passion in pediatrics, I faced many trials: being laid off, moving to a new country, experiencing heartbreak, running out of money, and enduring a pandemic. Now, I love my job as a pediatrician and can look back on all the difficult moments with gratitude for the strength and resilience they taught me. I am proud of who I’ve become and the lessons I’ve learned. I wanted to share my story hoping it helps someone struggling; maybe with some time, this trial can be your biggest blessing.

Dedicated to Baby Q, Baby C, and JK.