First-year graduate student at Our Lady of the Lake University

Age: 23

Hometown: Progreso, Texas

Major: Master of business administration in health-care management

What do you plan to do with your master's degree? Start my own business in the health field, a clinic or hospital, or CEO of a hospital or clinic

Something you wish you hadn't done in college: Rushed through everything in school

The greatest times in college were when . . . I spent time with my fraternity brothers and my best friend

Thirty years from now you see yourself . . . At the peak of my career and my businesses are booming

Who is your inspiration and role model? My dad is my role model and my inspiration. He pushed me when I needed to be pushed, he congratulated when I needed to be. He showed his love and support for whatever I was interested in.

Which medical invention has contributed most to mankind? The heart transplant. CAT (computed axial tomography) scans, MRIs (magnetic resonance image) and nuclear medicine.

How do you think you will contribute to the medical industry? Provide a service to those in need and also start a new type of health care, which is driven by the consumer, not by the provider.

What led you to studying health care and science? I was always fascinated by the health field and science. When I was younger, I wanted to be a vet, but as the years went by and I started growing up, my mindset started to change. The loss of my grandpa and the way my family members were treated when they needed health care was my turning point. As these significant points in time happened, I decided that I wanted to make a difference in the health care industry.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to go to grad school? Take your time and don't rush into things. The real world is different than being in college as an undergrad. Remember that every move you make will affect you in the future.

Something you're really excited about right now: Just bought my first house and starting my MBA program.

FAVORITES:

Alcoholic beverage: Crown and Tonic

Club: Dolce

Music: Everything you can think of

Line from a movie: “It don't matter if you win by an inch or a mile. Winning's winning,” from “The Fast and the Furious”

Rosa E. Rodriguez | 210SA contributor