Victor Lopez, BS Community Health '14

Victor LopezVictor Lopez received his BS in Community Health, Clinical Science Concentration in 2014.

What do you do now?

I recently graduated from the George Washington University Physician Assistant Program in June of 2017 and am now pursuing an Emergency Medicine fellowship in Houston, TX.

How do you think your degree at Mason prepared you for where you are now?

My degree went beyond allowing me to fulfill the prerequisites for PA school. The knowledge I gained in the fields of public health, epidemiology, and medical literature gave me a solid foundation to build my clinical education on. Also, I couldn't have asked for better professors. I simply wouldn't have gotten through the PA application process without their encouragement and support.

What’s your favorite part about what you do?

I love the challenge and variety of medicine. No two patients are the same and you have to pull from all the resources at your disposal to make sure the patient is well taken care of.

Why did you choose Mason?

Mason has just always been part of our lives. It is a family tradition. My mother and older sister both graduated from Mason and my younger sister is there now. I remember my parents taking me to the Patriot Center for shows while I was growing up and I recently got to take my daughter to the circus while it was on campus. Believe it or not, my daughter is only 7 but is already in talks with her grandmother about staying with her while attending Mason when she grows up.

What was most surprising or memorable about your Mason experience?

I will always remember my professors. They truly care about their students and they show it every day in and outside the classroom. I wouldn't have been as successful if I didn't have them to guide me through my early academic career.

Do you have any advice for students currently in the program?

Learn as much as you can right now and don't be afraid to branch out beyond your chosen career path. Nothing is more important than a broad foundation in the world of medicine and health maintenance. Whether you are going into clinical practice or one of the public health fields, you will never have as much opportunity to explore, fail, and learn as you do in the halls of George Mason University.