Hi! I’m Diego Perdomo and I am an undergraduate at the University of Miami. Welcome to my Science Journal where I will describe many medically related topics and discoveries. Thanks for reading.
Blog Post #1
I like to think of doctors as mechanics and engineers for the greatest machine in the world, the human body. Neurosurgeons work on the central programming unit and the electronic control board, also known as the brain. Cardiovascular surgeons work on the engine and its fuel injection lines, the heart and its connecting vessels. Gastroenterologists work on the muffler and the exhaust system, stomach and intestines. As you can see, there is a lot in common between any machine and a human. Its as if, every man-made machine was designed to match the connectivity and efficiency of a human.
Human anatomy and medicine have been my favorite topics since I moved from the Dominican Republic. When I moved to New Jersey I started running on my local track and field team and playing soccer. It wasn’t until high school, however, that I really saw the similarity between humans and machines. I played varsity rugby for my school. The best way to describe rugby to those who don’t know about it is American football with no padding (watch this short video about the dangers of rugby). My trips to the doctor began and did not stop until diploma day. On tournament weekends I remember seeing hundreds of players covered in tape, ice, and screws the same way you hold together an old car. Of all the players visits to the doctor, the most frequently visited was an orthopedic surgeon, a professional in the machine’s framework and chassis. These surgeons soon became my favorite kind of doctor because of their closeness to sports.
American Institute for Preventive Medicine
Going into college I realized that I was very passionate about the world’s greatest machine and I wanted to keep learning about it. The major I picked is Health Science on a Pre-med track. This means I’m learning all the prerequisites for medical school and mentally preparing myself for the MCAT. I plan to go to medical school, then do a surgical internship and be accepted into an Orthopedics residency to finally complete a fellowship in sports medicine. This way I can spend the rest of my life fixing broken machines using a vast array of tools such as drills and hammers. Below you can see what each is used for in surgery.
Millenium Surgical (link for image above)
Being an orthopedic surgeon is one of the most prestigious and important jobs in the medical field. Musculoskeletal injuries are the number one reason people visit doctors every year. There are many options for specialization within orthopedics. Sports medicine is my favorite because these doctors treat athletes for sports-related injuries like torn tendons and ligaments, severe dislocations, and complicated fractures that require surgery. There is also an option for a focus on spinal work like damaged disks, spinal stenosis, and scoliosis. Separately, the foot and ankle concentration treats complications in the distal legs like Achilles tendon injuries, ankle arthritis, and fractures in the area. Finally, the hip and knee specialty mostly treats older patients with complicated operations like full knee or hip replacements, hip dysplasia, and meniscus/ligament repairs. Although the responsibilities seem endless, I look forward to working diligently for what I am passionate about.
Perdomo Journal of Science 