Dr. Ma. Scarlett Pagud, a graduate of Batch Chiron ranking Top 7 overall talks about her experience in GCM from her days as an aspiring med student to graduating at the top of her batch, affectionately known as Scar, she is from the province of Bohol, which is famed for its stunning beaches and towering mountains. The natural beauty of her home province has always been an important element of her identity, shaping her outlook on life and approach to her job.

From an early age, she had always admired doctors, seeing them as modern-day heroes. To her, medicine has always been the best job in the world, a vocation she didn't fall into or pick under pressure. Instead, it was a lifelong fantasy that had gradually grown and expanded within her. She worked hard in school to prepare for this voyage, knowing it was the one she truly wanted to take.

Scarlett learned as she progressed through medical school that losing sleep was one of the simpler components of the job. Accepting that her life would always be different proved to be the most difficult task. She had to accept that she would not be able to see her family as often as she wished. Every time she visited her nephews and nieces, they appeared to have grown inches taller. Each visit by her parents revealed signs of them aging. Meanwhile, her friends outside of medicine were living their lives and exploring the globe, while she was completely absorbed in her studies, attempting to absorb every chapter. On several occasions, this proved to be a tough pill to swallow.

However, once Scarlett was reminded about why she chose this field, she felt grounded. Her passion is deeply anchored in sincerity and if motivation comes from the right place, perseverance becomes easier, even in the face of the most difficult circumstances.

Scarlett learned one of the most important things at GCM: the value of developing positive relationships with her peers, colleagues, instructors, classmates, and staff. In medicine, having a good attitude is essential. When positive relationships are created and a supportive environment is maintained, the workload becomes lighter and more manageable.

Looking back on her Medical School Journey, Dr. Scarlett Quotes:

“For those aspiring to pursue medicine, it’s a long ride, but make every moment count. It all happens in a blink of an eye. So do everything with sincerity, because anything that you do with love always leads you to your goals, most especially when you’re aiming high.”