Maria Ruiz Cortes, Class of ‘26: First generation biology senior shadows medical doctors and leads student organizations

Realizing that she wanted to be a surgeon

Ruiz Cortes thought she wanted to be a dermatologist, but she needed to experience the medical field for herself to know for sure. After seeking advice from her academic advisor, she applied for a two-week shadow experience offered by the MedStaircase program, which offers career development opportunities for traditionally underrepresented students.

She was excited to learn about internal medicine, but after stepping foot in an action-packed operating room (OR) at the Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center in Vancouver, Washington, she realized that type of fast-paced environment was more up her alley.

In the OR, Wysham called all the shots to keep the surgery moving and coordinate her team. She also remotely controlled a robot with four mechanical arms to help complete the surgery safely and precisely. Ruiz Cortes was amazed. The medical professionals operated quickly and the level of leadership required for an intense surgery to be successful was stunning.

“My extracurriculars at Oregon State have proven to me that I am capable of being the leader that I want to be.”

Joining the team for lunch in the lounge afterwards was the icing on the cake. That marked her last day of the shadow program, and she already wants to go back. After that experience, she plans to build a career as a surgical oncologist and use her knowledge to provide medical care for everyone, no matter where they are from.

“People have said I'm insane for everything that I've taken on, especially with being a fifth-year that’s graduating and trying to figure out all my post-grad stuff,” she said. “I do everything with so much joy and so much pride. And I think that directly translates to why I would love to work in the operating room.”

Finding her path with an uncommon background

As a first-generation minority student from a low-income household, and a transfer student from another university, finding her footing didn’t come easy. But Ruiz Cortes found overwhelming support from a welcoming community at Oregon State University, with a plethora of opportunities that helped build her up and be a stronger leader for others. When she believed in herself and packed her schedule full, she accomplished much more than she expected. And she loved every minute of it.

Her five-year academic journey offered opportunities she couldn’t turn down: from shadowing a hysterectomy in the operating room to serving as a leader for four different student organizations.

“I love having a team. I love being a leader,” she said. “I want people to feel like they can come talk to me and find me as a resource or some sort of support system.”

As president of the Association of Latin American Students (ALAS), president of Kappa Delta Chi Sorority (KDChi), vice president of Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanx de Aztlán (MEChA), and the community relations representative of El Centro Cultural on campus, she’s been a driving force connecting students from various backgrounds. By helping organize social events and peaceful promotional activities, everyone is able to celebrate a special culture that makes the transition to student life feel more like home, especially for Chicanx and Latinx students.

“My extracurriculars at Oregon State have proven to me that I am capable of being the leader that I want to be,” she said.

Helping students find their voice, celebrate their accomplishments, and find communities they are welcome in is something that Ruiz Cortes holds close to her heart. For her, helping organize events at Oregon State that cultivate a community where everyone belongs, can access new professional opportunities, and form lifelong friendships means the world.

Leaving behind a legacy

After graduating with her biology degree, Ruiz Cortes plans to take one to two gap years, study for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and work as a medical assistant. In the next 10 years, she hopes to land in a general surgery residency program, complete a fellowship in oncology, and build a career as a surgical oncologist. She wants to grow into a proud leader herself someday, just like Wysham, calling the shots and making every patient’s life a better one.

For students wanting to take the reins of their own unique and busy professional journeys, she has encouraging advice. “Be patient and don't be harsh on yourself because you know it's a lot to do,” she said. “And yes, the pride and the joy that you get out of it can take you so far, but also recognize when to prioritize your mental health, your academics, and your well-being. You can only give so much to people if you're not giving enough to yourself.”