Meet Andrew Sanchez, MD, from Port Charlotte, Florida. He attended Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, and is a PGY-2 in the Traditional Internal Medicine Residency Program.
What led you to pursue a career in medicine?
I was inspired by my grandfathers, who were both immigrant physicians from Colombia. My father (a doctor of teeth!) encouraged me to explore both dentistry and medicine. A love for the inpatient hospital experience and medical diagnosis and management ultimately drew me to apply to medical school. My appreciation for the inpatient human experience actually came from time spent in college playing acoustic guitar for oncology patients.
What are your goals after you complete residency? Where do you see yourself?
I will be applying for an academic hospitalist position with a focus on teaching clinical diagnosis to medical students. I may ultimately apply to specialize in rheumatology or infectious diseases, but I'd first like to grow from practicing general hospital medicine. I love diagnosing the undifferentiated patient and being the point person of the inpatient hospital team, so I anticipate being a hospitalist for the long-term. We'll see what happens!
Why did you choose Yale IMed for your residency?
The residents seemed to love the program and be particularly close with each other. The residency interview process was actually reminiscent of the medical school interview process, as I remembered sensing similar closeness during my medical school interview day at Columbia, where I ultimately went to study. I loved my medical school experience there, so I knew I should trust my gut and go where "my people" would be: Yale!
Describe your experience at Yale IMed in 3 words.
“Nicer than most.”
What is your fondest memory at Yale thus far?
Receiving email follow-up messages from inpatients I cared for–these messages really make your year!
Who has had the greatest influence on you, and why?
My family: they taught me humanism, work ethic, and curiosity.
If you could say anything to your younger self, what would you say?
Stress less!
What's a fun fact about you?
I've run 3 marathons. (Still trying to qualify for the Boston Marathon.)
What is one piece of advice you'd give someone who is applying for residency?
Think hard about what will make you happy in a residency. Thankfully, there are numerous excellent internal medicine programs out there. Residency is intense wherever you go, so you should at least go where you'll be happiest.
The Department of Internal Medicine at Yale is among the nation's premier departments, bringing together an elite cadre of clinicians, investigators and educators in one of the world's top medical schools. To learn more, visit Internal Medicine.