Like any other third year medical student, Enrique Ramos was learning the ins and outs of medicine during his

Enrique Ramos, OMS LECOM 2008 with patient Walter Martin

rotations. Unlike his peers, Ramos has a remarkable story that will be etched in his mind forever.

While on an internal medicine rotation with David Hutzel, M.D., Ramos regularly took patient histories and conducted physical exams. On one particular day in October, however, Ramos’ examination of Walter Martin was anything but routine.

Martin came in for a follow up on a total knee replacement he had a few weeks earlier. The doctors gave Ramos a chance to do a physical examination of Martin. During that exam, Ramos palpated Martin’s abdomen and found a mass that was slightly pulsating.

“Obviously part of the physical exam is a palpation of the abdomen,” Ramos said. “That’s medicine 101, there is nothing out of the ordinary about it. They teach us that from day one, particularly in the CODA (Clinical Osteopathic Diagnostic Applications) programs and OPEP (Osteopathic Preceptor Education Project).”

It turned out Martin had a significant size aneurysm that needed immediate attention. Martin immediately went in for tests and surgery to correct the aneurysm. He and his wife, Louise Martin, credit Enrique with saving Martin’s life.

Ramos on the other hand, said he does not see himself as a lifesaver, he sees it as just doing his job. “From the individual working at the front desk to the surgeon who repaired his aneurysm, everyone played a part in saving Martin’s life. We all save lives everyday, whether it’s perscribing medication or intervening when someone has shortness of breath, every aspect of medicine is important,” Ramos said. “It’s not as dramatic as Grey’s Anatomy or ER. Saving lives I guess is just a part of the job.”

Ramos, who is from San Antonio, TX, said he wanted to be a doctor when he was as young as six years old. He said he was watching a show that followed medical students and stood up proclaiming to his mother that when he grew up he wanted to be a doctor.

Ramos said he never met one particular doctor that influenced him to pursue medicine. “I’ve always wanted to help people and I love science, so for me when you put those two worlds together that’s medicine,” Ramos said.

Ramos comes from a family of migrant workers. Some family members even live on an Indian Reservation in Wisconsin. Coming from this background, Ramos was able to see the need for quality health care.

“I did see the consequences of not having good medical care, particularly on a reservation and that is what inspired me to pursue medicine. I always thought everybody deserves good medical care and if God blessed me with the gifts to be able to do it, than I am very fortunate,” Ramos added.

Throughout his internal medicine rotation, Dr. Hutzel was impressed with Ramos’ dedication to medicine. Dr. Hutzel said he coached Ramos as an extern, having him perform physicals and histories as he did with Martin. “I think what sets him so far above his peers is his work ethic.” Dr. Hutzel said. “I think he’s going to do very well. I think he’s going to be an extremely successful physician.”

Louise Martin was impressed as well with Ramos’ bedside manor and professionalism. “He’s just the nicest guy, very personable. He never let on that he suspected a thing. He’s going to be a good doctor,” Louise Martin said.

During a reunion a few weeks after the surgery, Martin shared photographs of the aneurysm with Ramos and asked for his medical advice. Martin is on the road for a full recovery from the aneurysm and praises Ramos. Louise Martin is grateful as well, with tears welling up in her eyes as she embraced Ramos and thanked him for saving her husband’s life. “He’s our lifesaver.”