A passion for medicine and caring for the well-being of others has propelled Zapata, Texas native and former Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) student athletic trainer Eloy R. Martínez, Jr. a long way in a short time. A 2017 TAMIU graduate with a Bachelor's of Science in Biology, Martínez is now a third-year medical student in the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) program at the University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine (UIWSOM) in San Antonio, Texas.
 
Martínez was a four-year (2013-17) student Athletic Trainer at TAMIU under long-time Head Athletic Trainer Ernst Feisner. His primary responsibilities in the athletic training office were practice and game coverage, pre- and post-practice game treatment and rehabilitation, and general onsite first response for both home and away games. He was involved in many student organizations at TAMIU, highlighted by his tenure as a vocalist for TAMIU's renowned Mariachi Internacional.
 
Martínez says that Feisner, who passed away in 2018, was a fantastic mentor who encouraged his career choice and always found ways to further the interest of all student athletic trainers.
 
"Ernst was very mindful of my interest in pursuing a career in medicine, which led him to always allow me to take my involvement as a student trainer to the next level," Martínez said, "This included mentoring me in developing and executing post-injury and post-surgical rehab protocols for athletes, providing opportunities to evaluate athletes on my own prior to gaining his professional insight and opinion, and allowing me to accompany athletes to appointments with team doctors and surgeons if the athlete was open to the idea."
 
After earning his Bachelor's degree and before starting medical school, Martínez earned a Master's of Science in Biomedical Science from UIWSOM. Similar to his days as an undergraduate student, he has been involved in many extracurricular activities during his postgraduate and medical school pursuits.
 
Included on the long list of his civic-minded activities, Martínez has served as UIWSOM Community Service Committee Chair, UIWSOM TOUCH Coordinator, and a UIWSOM Mission Leader. Earlier this year, he was selected as the UIWSOM Student D.O. of the Year for the 2019-20 academic year. Always anxious to pursue leadership opportunities, Martínez will serve as the 2020-21 Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents (COSGP) National Programs Representative, an organization affiliated with the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM).
 
Martínez was recently assigned to Laredo for his third year clerkship and says he looks forward to returning to the Gateway City to serve a community that he loves. Upon completing his medical education, he hopes to pursue a residency in either Emergency or Family Medicine. Martínez is also considering a fellowship in Sports Medicine, a possibility he attributes to a passion instilled in him during his days as a TAMIU student trainer.
 
UIWSOM Associate Dean of Admissions and Student Affairs Dr. Andrea Cyterski-Acosta says Martínez is a true leader who displays empathy and compassion for his classmates, community and anyone in need.
 
"Upon arriving at the UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine, Eloy made an immediate impact," Cyterski-Acosta said, "He is a leader among his peers and greatly respected by our faculty and administration.  He truly practices the UIW mission of service to others through his involvement in various organizations, including student government on both the local and national level.  Eloy will be a compassionate and skilled physician in just a few short years. He is anxious to practice in South Texas and will continue to be a source of pride for both TAMIU and UIW!"
 
Martínez recently took time from his busy schedule to share his thoughts on a variety of topics with his Dustdevil family:
 
Question: What is the most rewarding aspect of your chosen career and where would you like to be in five years?
Answer: The most rewarding aspect of a career in medicine is the opportunity to give back to the community in an immeasurable way. My hometown of Zapata, like many other rural areas in South Texas, is facing a physician shortage. This often results in locals needing to travel lengthy distances to seek routine health care, which often is not ideal in emergent situations and may not be affordable for many residents in these under-served areas. Being able to serve as the person that people seek in what can sometimes be their most vulnerable moments, and being trusted to do all in your power to support a better quality of life for these individuals is a reward without end.
In five years, I hope to be successfully approaching the completion of my residency training in either Emergency Medicine or Family Medicine. The plan to pursue a fellowship in Sports Medicine remains a possibility. Regardless of my career path, I hope to be returning to serve the citizens of Zapata and surrounding areas.
 
Question: What role do you see Sports Medicine playing in the overall strategy of safely returning to athletic competition at all levels?
Answer: Sports Medicine serves as a key component in the overall strategy of safely returning to athletic competition at all levels. Medicine goes beyond diagnosis and treatment. It is a field of collaboration, compassion, empathy and selflessness. It is important that athletes at all levels are able to trust that the physician leading their care is making decisions that are in the best interest of their long term health and wellness. In collaborating with athletic training staff, and all other parties involved in an athletes treatment and management, sports medicine physicians are able to successfully return athletes to their sports safely. The care provided in this field aims to provide athletes with the best possible functionality and wellness to better facilitate their health for their sport and their general well-being.
 
Question: What is your best memory as a student trainer and what lessons did you learn from the late Ernst Feisner?
Answer: I have many favorite memories from my time as a student trainer at TAMIU. If there is anything I cherish more than the lessons learned from each athlete I was able to help care for, it is the athletic training staff itself. Many of my favorite memories stem from the many celebrations that we shared in together. Although a small group, the athletic training team definitely made it a point to work and function as a family. The training room was our safe space, and the people in it were essential in overcoming unimaginable hardships that were thrown our way during our time at TAMIU.
There are no words to explain the lessons I learned from Ernst during my time at TAMIU. I say this because his teachings went beyond the field of athletic training. Ernst never failed to place the ambitions of his student trainers before his own. He somehow managed to tailor our responsibilities to provide the optimal exposure to prepare us for what we hoped to eventually do with our careers. Moreover, he always took in interest in our personal lives. Ernst was willing to set all things aside when it came to helping his student trainers overcome personal and academic barriers. His guidance and wisdom in athletic training (and in life in general) provided skills and traits that I attribute to my continued success in the field of medicine today.
 
Question: What advice do you have for high school students interested in a career in athletic training?
Answer: Specifically regarding a career in athletic training, I would advise students to embrace all opportunities. There were numerous times that Ernst presented me with opportunities to be more independent in working with athletes, and even opportunities to travel with sports teams. Early on in my time as a student trainer, I allowed fear and uncertainty to deter me from growing through these opportunities. It wasn't until the last two years at TAMIU that I recognized how much there was to gain from being more independently involved. Every opportunity is a learning opportunity. Although not my current career, athletic training taught me many skills and an immense amount of foundational knowledge that I continue to use in my training as a medical student.
 
Question: Any shout-outs to anyone at TAMIU that had a big impact on your life?
Answer: Every individual I worked with while at TAMIU impacted my life in some type of way. To Ernst, and all assistant trainers I worked with, thank you for your endless guidance, support, and especially for your patience. To any and all athletes, as well as the coaches that allowed me to travel with their teams, thank you for allowing me to take part in your athletic career. Especially to those who entrusted their treatment and rehabilitation to me, thank you for being my first patients! I thank you not only for helping me grow as a provider, but for your contribution to my growth as a person. Although you may not know, I learned something from each athlete I was able to care for. Each one of you taught me a new aspect to care that I had not experienced, and I hope to carry those lessons with me during the entirety of my professional care to be the best possible physician that I can be.