Coleman Colleague: Oswaldo Avendano-Bolivar, Class of 2014
Oct 24, 2023
From medical assistant to medical student: Oswaldo Avendano-Bolivar, Class of 2014, is on path to becoming a physician thanks to the medical foundation he received at HCC Coleman College.
Name
Oswaldo Avendano-Bolivar
Hometown
Hattiesburg, Mississippi (originally from Maracaibo, Venezuela)
Degree or Certificate Program
Medical Assistant, Class of 2014
- Associate in Science, HCC, Class of 2016
- Bachelor of Sciene, University of Houston, Class 2019
- Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Class of 2026
Year of Graduation
Class of 2014
Title and Place of Employment
I am currently a second-year medical student at William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
Prior to medical school, I was a full-time, visiting faculty member for HCC Coleman College in the Medical Assistant program. Before joining the HCC Coleman College faculty, I worked as a certified medical assistant for Hand & Foot Surgery Specialists of Texas and then Lone Star Orthopedics.
Why did you choose HCC Coleman College?
I chose HCC Coleman College because of the vast variety of healthcare programs available on campus as well as the state-of-the-art equipment and simulation labs. All this together with the college’s proximity and connection to Texas Medical Center made it a great place for me to pursue my Medical Assistant certificate.
I was also drawn by the faculty’s focus and advocacy for student success, providing attentive care for each student while also promoting equity and diversity.
Why did you choose your program of study?
From a young age, I’ve always had the goal of becoming a physician. Upon settling in Houston from my hometown in Venezuela, I knew I had to first understand and learn how the healthcare system worked in the United States.
Opening myself to both the administrative and clinical aspects of the medical field, I found that the Medical Assistant program integrated seamlessly these two aspects and best matched my goals and personal characteristics. It provided me with the best potential for academic and personal growth to move forward in the medical field.
What did you like best about your college experience?
I wholeheartedly enjoyed the integration among the different programs inside HCC Coleman College. This allowed me to interact with other students from other programs and faculty members. This greatly enhanced my point of view of becoming a member of a bigger team and interacting with people I would work with as a professional in the future.
What did you like best about your program of study?
What I liked best about the Medical Assistant program is that it is an exceptional program with a successful curriculum and caring faculty who advocate for their students. The program was sure to promote integration among people from different backgrounds while creating and maintaining a strong sense of community and trust between the student body and faculty.
When you were tired, what motivated you to push forward?
When I was tired, I would pause to remember my goal and who I was doing it for. For me, it was my family, friends, neighbors, strangers, and the whole community at large because I wanted to help others and make a positive change in this world.
Always remember to keep sight of the bigger picture without losing view of the goal at hand, and continue to appreciate the great support from your family and close friends who have cheered you on from the very start.