- College of Medicine Student Affairs
Ricardo Molero Bravo, a second-year medical student at the UCF College of Medicine, spent this summer training at Florida Hospital’s Gynecologic Oncology unit, where he shadowed clinical physicians and conducted research.
Ricardo’s primary preceptor was Dr. Robert Holloway, a world renowned robotics surgeon. “Dr. Holloway embodies the true meaning of professionalism,” Ricardo said. “He is exceptionally good in providing patients with up-to-date statistics on the latest treatments and surgeries.”
Ricardo participated in the program thanks to a student award from Hearing the Ovarian Cancer Whisper (H.O.W.), a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing awareness about ovarian cancer and raising money for a cure.
Working with Dr. Holloway, Ricardo helped patients and observed surgeries, including da Vinci® robotic-assisted gynecologic procedures. He also worked with Dr. Sarfraz Ahmad, who directs research at Dr. Holloway’s medical practice and is investigating the use of a Firefly camera to detect sentinel lymph nodes during robot-assisted hysterectomies.
“The summer was inarguably the best clinical experience I’ve had as a medical student,” Ricardo said. “The gynecology/oncology field is exciting and promises an opportunity for innovation and change in the future. This makes it very appealing to me as a career choice. This opportunity, made possible by H.O.W. and the Gynecology Oncology Center at Florida Hospital, will help me prepare adequately and early for a possible career in the field.”