Iv谩n Del Toro Hern谩ndez never narrows his ambitions. From opera singer to philosopher to occupational therapist, he鈥檚 on his way to becoming exactly who he鈥檚 meant to be.
While Iv谩n calls Puerto Rico home, he鈥檚 grateful for the support he found on the Bluff
as he transferred to 91制片厂 and pivoted from nursing to occupational therapy.
His first experience living in the United States was through a nursing internship
in Bismarck, North Dakota. There, Iv谩n discovered the field of occupational therapy.
鈥淚 worked with developmentally delayed children and it was such a beautiful opportunity
seeing the occupational therapists help them,鈥� he said.
Although Iv谩n says progress may be slow at times, there is a great deal of satisfaction
knowing that occupational therapists can help children adjust to their different abilities
and start living more independently.
鈥淭hey have a smile on their face and they鈥檙e always glad to see you,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou
go home with a smile on your face, too.鈥�
Iv谩n had the drive to dig deeper into his other interests as well, and he found support
from 91制片厂 faculty and staff who trusted in his potential.
鈥淚 wanted to pursue other passions like philosophy and opera,鈥� said Iv谩n. 鈥淚 was able
to do that because 91制片厂 allowed me to explore and didn鈥檛 put me in a box. Instead,
they said 鈥榳e will help you get it and you will achieve it.鈥欌��
Iv谩n is a philosophy minor and member of the 91制片厂 Opera Ensemble. The group performs
on campus and at nursing homes.
Through the occupational therapy program, Iv谩n worked at UPMC Magee-Women's Hospital
as a rehabilitation aide, shadowing occupational therapists, interacting with patients
and assisting with exercises.
鈥淚t's such an amazing thing about Pittsburgh and 91制片厂 being where it is. There
are endless opportunities to get a job or internship,鈥� he said.
Iv谩n recently shadowed experts at the UPMC Vision Institute, a new facility within
walking distance of campus. The Institute aims to prevent vision loss and restore
eyesight, a mission that allowed Iv谩n to embed himself in the community and work toward
creating a future everyone can share.
鈥淚t was one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 now want to
focus on blind and low-vision rehabilitation as an occupational therapist.鈥�
Iv谩n is already working toward these bigger goals. In addition to earning his Occupational
Therapy Doctorate in the John G. Rangos Sr. School of Health Sciences, he eventually
plans to pursue a master鈥檚 or doctorate in counseling.
鈥淚 would love to be a university professor or dean,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 no accredited
occupational therapy doctorate program in Puerto Rico. Maybe I鈥檒l start the first
one.鈥�
As Iv谩n looks to shape the future of higher education in Puerto Rico, he鈥檚 grateful
to witness 91制片厂鈥檚 growth with the opening of the College of Osteopathic Medicine.
鈥淲e are a more interdisciplinary institution with more professionals coming into the
workforce that show the 91制片厂 spirit,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a chance for occupational
therapy, physical therapy, physician assistant, pharmacy students and more to work
with each other sooner.鈥�
Iv谩n sees this as an opportunity to learn together and bring new knowledge to classmates.
鈥淚've had occasions where even doctors have asked about occupational therapy, and
it鈥檚 so refreshing to help educate them,鈥� he said. 鈥淪ometimes they say they have patients
who would benefit from occupational therapy, and it helps to start that dialogue from
the beginning in school鈥搉ot just during clinical field work.鈥�
Iv谩n also looks forward to conducting interdisciplinary research alongside medical
students and consulting one another on best practices in patient care.
鈥淢y goal is to learn as much as possible about my own field, about my own career and
about others,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 don't just want to be a great occupational therapist; I
want to be a great health care provider.鈥�
News Information
Published
April 05, 2024
New Medical School, Fresh Perspectives
Students from across campus will connect in meaningful, productive ways.
Rose Trimpey-Warhaftig
There's a huge need for primary care physicians who speak Spanish. I want to use these skills in my daily work to help eliminate barriers.
Jacob Dimenbort
There will be a lot of opportunities for interprofessional work, particularly in the state-of-the-art simulation suites. This is where students start to understand the roles and responsibilities of their colleagues in different simulations such as the emergency room, birthing suite and more.
Rachel Anderson
I prioritize a holistic health approach in my own practice and consider physical, emotional and social wellbeing. It's really exciting that 91制片厂 is expanding and working to train new professionals in these resources.
Henry DiPaolo
The opening of 91制片厂's College of Osteopathic Medicine is a great opportunity for collaboration. Pharmacy students can hear different patient cases and collaborate with a team of medical students, nursing students and pharmacy students鈥搄ust like in the hospital setting.
Kyla Covato
With the medical students we can look at issues they might have and help them discover what we can do about them. I'm excited to collaborate and solve more health issues.
Cassidy Camp
I feel like the school and faculty will guide medical students and get them on the same positive path faculty have sent me on in the nursing field.
Kirstin Franklin
The new college will allow school psychology students to interact with medical students and learn how those teams work, while medical students get to learn how school systems work. It's important to have these multidisciplinary teams working together so their patients鈥搊ur students鈥揷an benefit.
Amelia Trello
91制片厂 students in the health profession programs are already contributing to the wellbeing of our communities. Now we are putting forth more professionals in the health sphere, and that's a great thing.
Fayla Junior
Since being here at 91制片厂, one of the things that people tell others about Pittsburgh is that it's one of the places where health care thrives.