Since very young, I used to listen to stories of my grandfather, Ricardo Fernandez. A war veteran from World War 2 (and a superhero). He was deployed on battlegrounds in Japan having to help in the medical camps healing wounded soldiers threw his abilities as a Laboratory Technician.
“Stories weren’t always the nicest nor the most pleasant to hear”
Once the war was over, he left the US Army, followed his passion, and started his laboratory: “Laboratorio Clínico Fernandez”. Here he dedicated most of his life to accomplishing his dream of helping people through health care.
At the age of 62 years old, he retired from Laboratory practices to Coffee Agriculture in a small mountain town of Panama called Boquete. His steps in the Clinical World were followed up by my 2 uncles, who kept the business going for 36 years and counting.
Here is where I come into play in this story:
In August 2011, I made a life-changing decision. I determined that I also wanted to help people and impact their lives through health care. I took a step forward and became a Clinical Lab Scientist like my grandfather and furthermore a Masters Molecular Genetic Technologist.
“One of the greatest opportunities life has given me is the ability to help people and try to make them feel better.”
I am fortunate to have had a great inspirational figure like my grandfather in my life. The purest example of dedication and humbleness. This 2024 our Laboratory will be hitting the mark of 60 years in the health care field.
“Remember sometimes the right path is not the easiest one to take.”
But what makes you happy and helps you positively impact other people’s lives is always the right path!
