Six University graduates, among the top 100 in the spanish medical residency program

Six graduates of the School of Medicine of the University of Navarra have obtained a place among the first 100 places in thespanish medical residency program exam organized by the Ministry of Health. Xabier Elosegui, from Guipuzcoa, was issue 36th; Itziar Berrade, from Puente la Reina (Navarra) was 38th; and José Enrique Corgo, from Venezuela, was 42nd. They are followed by Pablo Chico, from A Coruña, in 58th issue , and Mikel Munárriz, from Navarra, in 73rd place and Martín Beistegui in 80th place.

98.89% of the graduates of the School of Medicine who took the exam obtained one of the 9,007 places offered by the Ministry, and 43% were among the first 2000 places.

"The knowledge base provided by the School is very solid, and it has also given us all the facilities to continue studying in the postgraduate program area of the library during these months," says Xabier Elosegui. During this time, he confesses that his greatest support has been his family and, above all, his siblings María and Jon, who are also students at the School and are in 6th and 3rd grade, respectively.

Interested in doing General Surgery in San Sebastian, from his time at the School he also highlights the good atmosphere among his classmates, whom he can call friends, and the involvement of the professors. "I remember in a special way the last class of Dr. José Hermida, in which he told us the core topic to be happy in life: never speak ill of colleagues".  

Itziar Berrade, from Navarre, prepared for the exam at home, also with the support of her family, and considers that it has been fundamental for her to receive a good knowledge base at the University. "In the end, these months of preparation are to review; your diagnostic capacity and the vocation with which you can face this time is what weighs the most, and you learn that during the Degree." He is currently hesitating between four specialties (Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Otorhinolaryngology and Cardiology), and would like to move to Madrid, although it is not a definite decision yet. 

What he is clear about is the subject of doctor he would like to be: "I have always been inspired by Professor Leire Arbea, who, in the Medical Identity workshops, has transmitted to us the passion for being good doctors and good people, feeling empathy for the patient and always putting them at the center". 

For his part, José Enrique Corgo is hesitating between studying a medical or surgical specialization program , although he is clear that he would like to do so in a big city like Madrid or Barcelona. He is also sure that he wants to practice translational medicine: "During the Degree program I took the Diploma in research, and that made me realize that today's medicine, if it wants to progress, cannot be understood without the questions that arise in the laboratory". He also appreciates the constancy with which the professors have been able to manage the learning pace of each student. "They have always tried to transmit to us the interest in the subject, the desire to go beyond approve or, in the case of the spanish medical residency program, to get a good grade.