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ΣΥΝΈΝΤΈΥΞΗ
Tεύχος 24 | Ioύλιος-Αύγουστος 2023
Η ακόλουθη συνέντευξη πραγματοποιήθηκε μέσω Zoom στις 19/5/23. Απομαγνητοφώνηση & επιμέλεια κειμένου: Θεόδωρος Σπίνος, ειδικευόμενοι Γ/Χ
T.S.: How did you decide to become a urologist?
M.R.: Since I was a child, I had always known that I wanted to pursue a career in medicine. I vividly recall thinking about becoming a doctor when I was just three years old. It has remained my sole aspiration throughout my life. Strangely enough, there are no doctors in my family, so I'm not entirely sure why this calling has been so strong within me. And that moment even I was a toddler I was sure I want to become a surgeon. During my time in medical school, I began exploring different specialties, considering options like cardiac or vascular surgery. Urology wasn't initially my sole focus. Now, having chosen urology as my specialty, I can confidently say that it has been the best decision I could have made.
T.S.: What do you love the most about urology?
M.R.: As I tell in all my speeches, I am convinced that Urology is the best specialty in the world. I can fight against everyone; I am convinced that it is the best. And probably what I like the most is the fact that we are very powerful and strong surgeons, we are doing big surgeries but also, we have a very strong medical part in our specialty. We are in contact with the patients, we diagnose, we give therapies, we do the follow-up. So, for me, taking care of the patients as a continuum, is the most valuable thing in Urology.
T.S.: Did you have a mentor when you were a resident in urology?
M.R.: Well, when I was a resident, I have to tell you that I did my residency in a very well recognized Institution in Spain with probably one of the most incredible schools in Urology, even I could say in the world, because in the beginning of my School was Professor Gil-Vernet, so imagine that. When I started my residency, I had at this time some mentors. I cannot mention a single one, because it would not be fair. I admire and have as source for inspiration many who during my career have supported me and helped me in different facets, at different times, in different ways. I would have so many names that I would not dare to leave any forgotten. Those who have supported me always know how grateful I am to them because no road is ever done alone. I was always keen to learn from everybody. Also, I learned from those that I am training. So, I
think that at the moment that you believe that you know everything, then you are completely dead. So, I think that having mentors and taking example of all those that are around you is a good way to improve in your career.
T.S.: What were your feelings during the first surgery that you had attended?
M.R.: Well, you know what! When I started my residency, I was convinced that I wanted to become a surgeon. I remember that the first time that I was at the emergency room I got sick every time with draining abscesses. And I told, oh my god if I got sick perhaps, I cannot be a surgeon. I do perfectly remember the first time that I went to the OR, because it was during the night, it was because there was an intestinal obstruction. And the consultant in charge of the emergency OR at that time told me: “Look (I was a first-year resident at that time) you are going to be my first assistant”. And I told: “Oh my God, the first assistant? Are you sure about that?”. And when I went there and we opened the patient, because at that time it was open surgery and he told me: “Can you feel it? It’s warm, it’s nice, we are going to do these!”. And I told: “Oh my God, I think that I have been borne to be a surgeon!”. So yes, I can perfectly remember the first time that I was in the OR!
T.S.: What was the most important step/ moment in your career so far? Do you remember your feelings back then?
M.R.: There are a lot of important moments there in my career, but probably the best one is the moment I decided that I wanted to become a doctor. So, I think that so far this is the best decision that I have made and what changed my life and made me the person I am. So, yes this is probably the most important moment in my career, when I pursued my dream of becoming a doctor!
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