Zachary Abdo

Zachary as a medical student

Pronouns: He/Him

Zachary as a child

• What kind of identities do you inhabit?

  Cuban, Arab, First-generation college grad

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

  As a young boy at the pediatrician's office, I recall being captivated by all the medical instruments my physician would use. As I got older and acquired more experience in healthcare, I enjoyed employing the concepts taught in class and applying them to real-life situations. Medicine appeals to my fascination with the intricacies of the human body as well as the social aspect of interacting with patients.

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

  There were many instances throughout my path to medicine that challenged me, however, my support system has always been there, reminding me of my capabilities. I am often my toughest critic, but I have learned that not everything I attempt needs to come out perfect. Learning from my mistakes has made me a more resilient student, and without that resiliency, I would not be in the situation I am today.

• How do you see a career in PM&R as advancing equity? Or alternatively - why are you interested in this organization? Why equity and PM&R?

  I am interested in this organization because it provides students with the opportunity to learn what it truly means to be a physiatrist. I was lucky enough to have worked in a PM&R department prior to medical school, but many medical students are often not introduced to PM&R until they have started clinical rotations. I hope this organization inspires underrepresented students to search out opportunities in PM&R and recognize all the possibilities this field of medicine can offer them.

• 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?)

  What first attracted me to PM&R was the variety of subspecialties within the field. Whether it be the complexity of TBI cases or all the types of procedures that can be performed for pain management, there are endless possibilities to consider.

• Find me on social media

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/zachabdo12

  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachabdo/

Last updated 8/2023