Recently, I was asked an intriguing question:
“If you had an opportunity to speak to someone from your past, who is either living or deceased, who would that be and why?“
Without hesitation, my answer was clear – “My Dad.”
My father passed away before reaching his full senior age due to colon cancer. Despite the sadness that his premature departure brought, his influence on my life continues to be a guiding light. Growing up, my dad was a firm believer in the power of innovation. He often spoke with admiration about the remarkable advancements in the fields of medicine and technology. These conversations ignited a spark in me that eventually guided my career path.
Dad was a man ahead of his time. He would constantly remind me that the fields of medicine and technology were not just evolving but revolutionizing the way we live. He read a lot of engineering and science papers, articles, and magazines. Always inviting me to watch a TV program with him that talked about science and the future! His stories and our chats of pioneering scientists and groundbreaking discoveries were not merely anecdotes but lessons that have stayed with me. His enthusiasm was infectious, inspiring me to explore the high-tech world with curiosity and determination.
If I had the chance to speak to him today, I would share how his inspiration led me to pursue a career in Health IT. I’d tell him how I had gotten the opportunity to work on projects at some of the world’s most prestigious hospitals and medical science institutions, such as:
- Mayo Clinic (Rochester, USA)
- Cleveland Clinic (Cleveland, USA)
- Toronto General Hospital (Ontario, Canada)
- Hospital Universitario La Paz (Madrid, Spain)
- University Hospital (Zürich, Switzerland)
- Hospital Albert Einstein (São Paolo, Brazil)
- Hospital Italiano (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
- Centro Medico ABC (México City, Mexico)
- Clinica Las Condes (Santiago, Chile)
- Jackson Memorial/Public Trust (Miami, USA)** where it all began for me
I am proud to say that I have experienced firsthand the incredible impact that technology can have on healthcare. From the integration of medical devices to electronic health records, artificial intelligence (AI) used in the field of predictive analytics, to eHealth and telemedicine, the advancements he spoke of have come to life, transforming the way we deliver and receive care.
I wish I could share with him how I have witnessed and contributed to the very improvements he used to dream about. I would tell him about the challenges I’ve faced and the milestones I’ve achieved. I would describe the satisfaction of knowing that my work is making a difference in people’s lives. And most importantly, I would express my gratitude for his unwavering belief in the future of technology. His vision and encouragement laid the foundation for my journey, and I hope he would be proud of me and my chosen career path, and the person I’ve become.
Dad, your legacy lives on in the work I do and the passion I carry for innovation. Though you are no longer here, your spirit continues to guide me, and I feel your presence in every step of my journey. Thank you for being my beacon of inspiration and for showing me the limitless possibilities that lie ahead.
