Fall 2026

ARIANA CRUZ

SMWC Student Shadows Doctor in Puerto Rico Over Summer Break

By Betsy Simon Brand Marketing Manager

Ariana Cruz, a Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College senior and double major in pre-professional biology and math, has a knack for turning every situation into a meaningful learning opportunity. An aspiring physician from Arecibo, Puerto Rico, Cruz spent the summer doing a second shadow experience with Dr. Martin Martino, a family medicine physician in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, whom Cruz first shadowed during winter break last year. “What made that experience unique was the diversity of responsibilities and environments I was exposed to each day,” Cruz said. “Dr. Martino not only cares for patients in the clinic, but also manages hospital admissions, works closely with geriatric patients and owns a senior living facility. Because of this, no two days during my internship were ever the same.” Cruz, who was also working at a local supermarket in her hometown this past summer, was drawn to Martino’s practice when he handled treatment for her father after his cancer diagnosis. “Throughout his treatment, he occasionally required IV vitamin therapy, which Dr. Martino was able to provide,” Cruz said. “Watching how he cared for my father with compassion, patience and dedication made a strong impression on me. Seeing the comfort he gave my father and my family, I asked if I could shadow him and learn more about medicine.” Martino’s genuine love for teaching, encouragement and support for young students has increased his own passion for medicine. He also offered Cruz her first glimpse into the operating room, where she observed a medically required amputation on a diabetic patient performed by Martino’s colleague. “While the procedure itself was impactful and extraordinary to witness, what stayed with me the most was seeing how the physicians worked together to provide the best possible care for the patient,” she said. “At the same time, Dr. Martino continued supporting and updating the patient’s family, showing compassion and professionalism during a difficult moment. Throughout the procedure, both doctors continuously discussed the patient’s condition,

the surgical decisions being made, and the reasoning behind them,

turning the experience into a

Left: Dr. Martin Martino, a family physician in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, mentored SMWC senior, Ariana Cruz. Center: Cruz preps for her first experience in the operating room during a shadowing experience. Above: A graduate is greeted by Cruz with a smile at the May 2026 Commencement Ceremony. Cruz, a member of the Presidential Corps, volunteered to assist graduates as they lined up to cross the stage and receive their diplomas.

valuable teaching moment for the two students in the operating room, including me.” Before the doctor arrived each day, Cruz assisted the secretary with patient flow, organized medical records and took patients’ vital signs to prepare for their appointments. “I was able to remain in the examination rooms as he evaluated patients. Dr. Martino explained each patient’s condition, discussed possible treatments and answered my many questions,” she said. “From the beginning of my first internship, I made it a priority to stay curious and engaged, constantly asking questions about diagnoses, treatment plans, patient communication and clinical decision-making.” Some days, Cruz accompanied Martino to senior living facilities to examine residents. Other days were spent at the hospital, visiting patients from the senior living facility. “Watching the trust and comfort they felt around him highlighted the importance of building strong relationships with the patients in the facility,” she said. “These experiences gave me insight into the continuity care physicians provide across different settings and demonstrate the responsibility physicians have to advocate for their patients throughout every stage of treatment.”

Cruz put her critical thinking, communication and problem-solving skills to the test all summer. “Our professors are very involved in our learning and

member of the Student Counseling and Wellness Center’s mentoring program. Cruz still found the time last spring to shadow Leslie Batty, a nurse practitioner in Terre Haute. She shadowed Batty two to three days a week, observing patient appointments, listening to discussions about symptoms and treatment plans and learning how providers build relationships with patients while managing their care. “After almost every patient encounter, she would sit down with me and explain each case in detail, making sure I understood what was happening, how she reasoned through diagnoses and why certain treatments or medications were chosen,” she said. “Those conversations strengthened my critical thinking skills and gave me a deeper understanding of how healthcare providers approach patient care.” When she graduates from SMWC in the spring of 2027, Cruz plans to attend medical school to make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives. “My internships have greatly strengthened my passion for medicine and helped shape me into the student and future professional I aspire to be,” she said. “Both my internships in Puerto Rico and the U.S. allowed me to learn the importance of communication, teamwork, adaptability and compassion in patient care.”

consistently challenge us to apply classroom knowledge to real life situations, preparing us to become adaptable and professional in healthcare environments or any

career environment in general,” she said. “I have had the opportunity to learn from professors such as Dr. (Keeley) Cleghorn, Dr. Rob (Vandermolen), and Professor Grant (Steelman), who have greatly shaped me into the student I am today. Their guidance pushed me to think critically, ask meaningful questions and strive to become the best professional.” When she’s not in the classroom, Cruz serves as captain of the women’s volleyball team, president of the Presidential Corps, event coordinator for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and is a

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