Kevin Suarez

Kevin as a medical student

Kevin as a child

• A few basic facts about me:

  Pronouns: he/him

  I’m currently a medical student at Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara.

• What kind of identities do you inhabit?

  I am a husband, son, brother, medical student, and swimmer/ sports enthusiast!

• The path to medicine is not easy. Can you tell us why you decided to pursue it?

  I decided to pursue medicine because disease has been a big part of my family. My older sister hasDown Syndrome, my brother is in remission from Hodgkin's disease, and my oldest sister has SLE andRheumatoid Arthritis. I know how disease can afflict a family and very early on in life I knew that I wanted to become a physician and help change lives.

• Can you describe a challenging moment in medicine that made you rethink your career path?

  A challenging moment in medicine is when I did not get accepted into a US medical school. I was disappointed to say the least but I have always believed when there is a will there is a way! I ultimately went to Guadalajara, Mexico for my medical education and it was the best decision I made!

• How do you see a career in PM&R as advancing equity?

  Inequities in medical care are a part of my family's struggles. My older sister, Katie, has Down Syndrome. She received a late diagnosis, and never accessed therapies that would have been beneficial to the development of her skills. Also, my older brother, John, is a survivor of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (HL). He too was diagnosed late. At seven years of age, he had a tumor on his neck and at ten years old was diagnosed with stage three HL. I believe my siblings' access to healthcare and treatment was hindered by my parents’ socioeconomic status and poor health literacy due to a lack of effective communication. Similar inequities to access extend into the field of PM&R and I believe my life experiences would make me a well-rounded physiatrist that can address the health disparities currently being faced by minorities in the field of rehabilitation.

• Can you tell us a little bit of your aspirations - either for your career or for the field of medicine (if you’re a medical student?)

  I hope to contribute to a future where patients of all backgrounds have the option to receive care by a physician from a kindred culture to increase patient-doctor communication and support positive health outcomes in rehabilitation care.

• Where can we find you on social media?

  Instagram

Last updated 03/2022