Author : Mayra Alejandra Ovalle Peñuela
Photo : John Jolmes Cardona Núñez, The Digital Chronicle
The prize was awarded by the Colombian Association of Faculties of Medicine, Ascofame, with the aim of recognizing excellence in medical education in the country.
Ángel Yarid Arias Castrillón was born in Calarcá, he is 26 years old, he is a student in his last semester at the University of Quindío and an intern at the San Juan de Dios hospital. He studied at the Gustavo Matamoros educational institution, graduating in 2012. After finishing school, he entered the Medicine program.
“Since I was a child I was very interested in understanding how things work, knowing problems and looking for solutions. Also, I always had a vocation to help others. That is why I decided at the age of 12 to study medicine.”
During his career there was a particular moment that marked him: a cesarean delivery. “He was very cute because he was very humanized. You might see the love between them, it was a beautiful and moving scene. I think that’s what medicine is all regarding.” For the future, he plans to specialize because he loves the ER. In his career there have been professors who have influenced him and have infected him with the love for this specialty.
In 2022, in the first phase of the award from the Colombian Association of Faculties of Medicine, he was part of the 10 best interns in the Coffee Region and the 60 best in the country, among 864 candidates. In the second phase, he was chosen as the best intern doctor in the region. Resume, a written exam and an evaluation by the faculty, were the items that were qualified.
This award earned him an economic stimulus of $3 million, as well as $6 million more in educational products and coverage of the award ceremony to be held in Cali during the Ascofame Regional Forum on Medical Education. “This award encourages me to continue studying and achieve all the plans I have. I am very grateful to the University and the hospital that trained me”, said Yarid Arias.
How would you describe your experience in the Medicine program?
It seems to me that the program has a different teaching system and that is good. Here what is sought is to see subjects such as anatomy and physiology by systems. This allows us to soon be exposed to the clinic. It is an important factor for the program to occupy important places at the national level. Another aspect is that we see a lot of bioethics, that’s why our treatment is humane. Patients notice it.
It is no secret to anyone that medicine is very heavy, it implies that one studies every day. The most complex thing is to maintain a balance between academics and mental health.
In what state is the Quindío health system in your opinion?
Throughout the country the subject of health and the legislation that exists can improve a lot. In many cases, there is often an EPS that closes and declares bankruptcy, this causes serious damage to hospitals. In addition to that, being the San Juan de Dios hospital the highest level public, it exceeds its capacity due to so many patients who consult. It is a very big burden that the hospital lives. Added to the above is the corruption that has occurred in the last governments in Quindío. Health is vital for the people and the panorama is complex.
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