Carlos Pellegrini: My journey from obstacles to opportunities

UW Medicine | The Huddle | January 16, 2018

By Dr. Carlos Pellegrini, Chief Medical Officer, UW Medicine and VP for Medical Affairs

Dr. Carlos Pellegrini, Chief Medical Officer, UW Medicine and VP for Medical Affairs
Photo credit: Clare McLean

At some time in our lives most of us have, or will have, to face adversity. Adversity may manifest itself in different ways: the loss of a job, the loss of a loved one, a serious illness, a physical or mental disability, or other hurdles that fate puts in our lives.

I have come to the realization that rather than simply trying to overcome adversity, we can use adversity to build strength much like the swimmer training for a race builds strength by swimming against the current. It is that strength that will help us face the barriers and obstacles that will inevitably appear in our path. How we rise against those barriers defines our character and helps us move forward.

My first major encounter with adversity was when I realized I had to leave my home country, Argentina. It was there that my sense of community and love for medicine was born through witnessing the impact my parents — both the only doctors in our small agricultural town – made through their compassion and dedicated patient care. More >>