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Beatriz Folch

I have two genuine passions in life: ballet and medicine.  My interest for ballet came at a very young age.  I started dancing at the age of 6 and, ever since, ballet became a great part of my life and biggest passion for some time.

As a ballet student, I had the opportunity to train and dance with some of the best schools of the world, American, Cuban and Russian.  At the age of 15 I earned a scholarship with The Washington School of Ballet, and by the age of seventeen I was dancing with a professional company in Puerto Rico.  These experiences not only gave me the opportunity to travel to different countries where I learned and explored different ballet techniques, but also allowed me to explore other cultures, thus widening my perspectives towards life.

I am a firm believer that the art of classical ballet taught me about self-control and commitment, widening my will and disposition to work hard towards any goal I set in my life.  Long daily hours of training and practice helped me become a more organized and disciplined individual, therefore enhancing my ability to work in a group, and to adjust and balance my time between studies, work and ballet.  I learned to make advantageous use of my time as a result of discipline and great effort.

Even though ballet absorbed a great deal of my energy and time, it did not impede me from focusing on a professional career in science and the pursuit of my goal to become a physician.  Both disciplines—my ballet and my academic studies--definitely complemented one another in my life, with positive results.

My decision to become a physician was greatly influenced and empowered by both of my grandfathers, who served as very positive medical role-models, as well as a result of personal experiences with disease, volunteer summer work with autistic children, and ballet teaching to disabled children.  Ultimately, I was drawn into the medical profession by my commitment to serve others in need, especially those underserved.

In preparation for my goal, a career in medicine, I participated in summer medical and investigative programs, specifically, the Summer Medical and Dental Educational Program (SMDEP) at Columbia University and the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program at The University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry.  I also participated in hospital clinical experiences (shadowing) in various fields in medicine in Puerto Rico and United States.  As a result, these experiences increased my genuine interest in the care of the disadvantaged, disabled and those in need.

I firmly believe that the biopsychosocial emphasis at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry will provide, develop, strengthen and enable me with the necessary skills and tools to give others in need the best health care.