Muhlenberg athletes are spending the summer of 2025 enjoying fantastic experiences on campus, in their hometowns, and across the country.

Rising junior men's tennis player Josh Simon, a biology major and neuroscience minor, went beyond the textbook in his internship with a gynecologic oncologist in his hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Over this summer, I was welcomed into a competitive internship with Dr. Luis Padilla Paz, a gynecologic oncologist located in my hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico. I chose to spend my summer here because I've long been fascinated by both medicine and healthcare, and I wanted a chance to see firsthand how oncology care is delivered beyond the textbook, watching how doctors, nurses, and staff support patients not just medically, but emotionally.

Dr. Padilla specializes in robotic surgery. It's been such a pleasure sitting in on multiple operations with him. I was able to sit in on two separate hysterectomies, and I met a pathologist who determined that one mass that Dr. Padilla took out of a woman's uterus was fortunately benign. One day a doctor of pharmacy who works in the office sat with me and explained his piece of the project. It is so interesting learning from different people in different fields.

This internship is already shaping how I think about my future career in medicine. Beyond deepening my understanding of oncology, it's shown me how vital communication and patient trust are, and it's sparked my interest in potentially pursuing surgical specialties or research related to cancer treatment.

I wouldn't have had this chance without the preparation and support I've received at Muhlenberg. Classes like BIO 175 ("From Organisms to Molecules") gave me the scientific foundation to understand what I see in the clinic and operating room, and professors like Jeremy Teissere encouraged me to apply knowledge obtained in his class, "Rethinking Drugs and Drug Abuse," in real-life scenarios.

Beyond the classroom, the emphasis Muhlenberg places on critical thinking and empathy has helped me engage more meaningfully with both patients and staff.

Throughout this entire internship, my favorite part has been interacting with patients and staff. In every appointment, Dr. Padilla always asks the patient if they're comfortable with me sitting in on the visit — and so far, I haven't received a single "no." The patients' willingness to include me in such personal moments is something I'm deeply grateful for. They're kind, open, and honest, which is all I could hope for as someone hoping to learn. Even though many of them are facing incredibly difficult diagnoses, they still see the value in education and in helping the next generation of healthcare professionals learn how to care for people with empathy and respect. It's humbling to realize that their generosity in letting me observe is shaping not just what I know about medicine, but also the kind of future physician I hope to become.

While attending Muhlenberg, I have had the opportunity to shadow and intern with three different offices. Two summers ago was Sage Neuroscience, a psychiatry firm in Albuquerque. Last summer, I compiled a data entry list for genetic testing and shadowed multiple doctors at Carry Tingley Hospital at UNMH (University of New Mexico Hospital), a group of child neurology specialists. And with this year's internship and all my other previous experiences, I have learned one major lesson: being immersed in real patient care has taught me lessons no textbook ever could.

Muhlenberg College allows me to learn what I want to learn with a holistic approach, and it has allowed me to be accepted into competitive internships with amazing providers.

Looking ahead, I know the path to becoming a physician is long and challenging, but experiences like these remind me why it's worth it. I'm incredibly grateful to Dr. Padilla, his staff, and every patient who shared part of their journey with me this summer, as well as to Muhlenberg for giving me the academic and personal foundation to pursue these opportunities. Each day I spend shadowing, observing, and listening, I'm not just learning how to practice medicine; I'm learning why. And that, more than anything, is what makes me excited to continue this journey.

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