Alejandro Jaramillo, MD

I knew I wanted to go into pediatrics when I had my first opportunity to care for children in medical school back in 1982. I felt very comfortable interacting with them, seeing their spontaneous and honest behavior and taking care of them, both in the hospital and in the clinic settings. Caring for the most vulnerable and sometimes helpless human beings like the newborns, having the opportunity to affect lives over the long term has been always very motivating to me. That's why, after being a general practitioner for three years in an underserved area in my home country, Colombia, I decided to do my specialty in general pediatrics.

I have been practicing medicine since 1984 and pediatrics since 1990, and one of the most important things I've learned is listening to the parents and trying to partner with them in taking care of their children. For me, the sincere expression of gratitude in the faces of my patients and their parents is the most rewarding experience and the thing that keeps me offering the best of my knowledge and skills, to try to make their lives better.

While working as a Chief Resident in Pediatrics at Driscoll Children's Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas I received The John G. and Elena Suess Kennedy Award for my service to the children, which made me very proud and thankful.

When I'm not at work, I spend most of my time with my family, especially interacting with my two lovely grandchildren, Pierre and Rose, watching them grow. I also enjoy traveling with my wife Martha, sharing time with my children: Ximena, Santiago and Etienne, playing sports like tennis, basketball, ping pong, and games like chess and billiards.

My goal is to treat my patients with the same love and care that I would treat my children and my grandchildren with.