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Peace Corps inspired her to medicine

by SEAN GARDNER
C&J 271

She may not seem what she is when you first see her. 

Standing 5-foot-1- inch, with glasses and dark black hair, she looks like a University of New Mexico freshman. 

But Deborah Schwartz is a 37-year-old non-traditional student.

Schwartz, a pre-med student, returned to UNM after 15 years in the Peace Corps working in medical related fields in eastern Africa.

It was there that she satisfied an inherent desire for adventure, to help people, and to see the world.

“The Peace Corps was a natural fit,” Schwartz said. “The organization allows volunteers to travel abroad to make real differences in people’s lives.”

As a biology teacher in Africa, Schwartz became aware of her need to serve, helping people improve their lives. Schwartz taught biology to about 175 junior and senior level girls.

“Working with the girls helped me to see how I could better help people improve their lives,” Schwartz said.

Because of her experiences in Africa, she decided to pursue a career in medicine. She is working to complete premedical requirements at UNM.

“It’s cool to see someone do what they really want to do in life,” her co-worker Tiffany Lujan said. “No matter how old.”

In addition to academic classes, Schwartz enhances her studies with volunteer work in the medical field.

She serves on the board of directors for Cancer Services of New Mexico, a nonprofit organization providing services to reduce cancer suffering for New Mexico families.

The daughter of a cancer survivor, Schwartz said, “My first-hand experience in what a family goes through when dealing with cancer treatment gives me more reason to pursue a medical career.”

Currently Schwartz’s focus is to improve her medical school application credentials. She said the application process forced her into a self-assessment.

Family and friends had a first-hand experience on how she took the assessment. Tim Beach, one of her closest friends, watches her go back to school and juggle it with a full-time job.

“Knowing her personally I can see how committed she can be to the things that are important to her,” Beach said.

Schwartz has just been accepted by American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine on the island of St. Maarten. She plans to begin medical school next year.

“It’s crazy how life seems to fall in place when you don’t know it.” Schwartz said. “Just yesterday it felt like I was in the Peace Corps.”

Submitted Dec. 16, 2008

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