Home: Guadalajara, México; Frederick, MD. Age: 54. Birthplace: Popayan, Cauca, Colombia. Profession: Medical oncologist. Organization: Unidad de Cancerología and Consultores en Oncología (Hospital San Javier). MEDSIR. Title: Medical oncologist and director of research; Consultant. Languages spoken: English, Spanish, Italian, French.
Current project: Development of the research program at my current job. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Moving to Mexico. Hobbies: Hiking, arts, archaeology. Recent travel or adventure: Caño Cristales in Colombia. Last book read: The Armour of Light, by Ken Follet. Recently viewed and recommended: Red Sparrow. Recent unique acquisition: Tickets to take my father’s ashes to Firenze.
Personality profile: Open, resilient, decisive, sarcastic, naïve. Moral compass: Ignatian spirituality and my dad. What is your greatest joy? My nephews and niece. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Traveling. What is at the top of your bucket list? Visiting the Holy Land. How do you relieve stress? Exercise and meditating. What is your go-to workout? Pilates. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Hiking and good running water.
Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? My uncle Mario, a great physician and human being. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Listen to your mentor and ask for advice from those who know better. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? Biotechnology and AI used properly to improve patients’ lives. What is your go-to source of news and information? NPR and PBS. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? Art galleries and the symphony. What company or organization do you most admire? Médecins sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders). What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? My brother’s death.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field?
Taking care of the underserved.
What change would you like to see in the world? Tolerance. What message do you want to send out into the world? Treat people as you want to be treated. What widely held belief do you reject? We are not able to live in peace. What mega-trend most concerns you? CRISPR-Cas9 in the wrong hands.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? You Have Probed Me. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Penelope Cruz. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My dad. If not family, St. Luke. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? An oncologist. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? With my family (mom, brother and his three kids). What advice would you give your younger self? Make more mistakes to learn from them.
Personal mission: The care of my patients and family. Personal motto: Because everything you did to these little ones, you did it to me. Favorite quote: “I have been bent and broken, but — I hope — into a better shape” (Charles Dickens). Desired epitaph: Surrendered to God.
