Antonio Rueda Lara, the winner of the 2018 ‘Best Student’ Award in Naples, talks about his experience at the ESMO-ESO Course on Medical Oncology for Medical Students.
What was your main reason for applying to join the course?
During my years in Medical School I noticed a lack of institutional motivation towards students. As years went by I lost my motivation towards my own dreamed speciality: Medical Oncology. The main reason I attended this congress was to find the motivation back and the force I need to become a member of this amazing speciality and I finally made it. Thanks, ESMO!
What was your take home message from the five days?
In my opinion, the main lesson from the course is that we need to come together in order to defeat this terrible disease: the best weapon we have at our disposal is in fact our united work in investigation, clinical practice and education. My take home message could be summarized in the words of Julius Caesar: “Divide and Conquer”.
Why are you interested in medical oncology?
I got interested in medical oncology because of the technical and investigational potential it has. However, what really caught me while participating in this course was the human component of it. Oncology has everything: it is a holistic speciality. It enables you to develop your research skills but it also feeds your soul.
How do you feel about having a professional society, such as ESMO, supporting you in your professional development?
The best way to grow professionally and to provide the best patient care is through the support of a medical society. I could not feel safer knowing that ESMO is there for me and for the rest of my colleagues. In other words: we are stronger when we are together.
Would you recommend this course and why?
I would totally recommend it. This is a game changer course. After you go through it your view of medical oncology will change completely. It opens your eyes into a world that you have not been presented before in Medical School. Speeches are well prepared and given by top scholars, the organisation is impeccable, and social plans are delightful. But above all I want to highlight the partnership atmosphere that you could almost breathe among the participants.