Jacob Ramirez ’25 always knew he wanted to do something in healthcare but was originally unsure what exactly that something was.
“I had therapy in the back of my head coming to Wabash, but with my dad being a nurse he was always like, medical school, medical school, medical school,” Ramirez said. “I knew there were other doors within healthcare that would be open for me, but I wasn’t confident in how to get there.”
The path to his future career began after taking the advice of one of his fraternity brothers, Francisco Jimenez ’24, to check out Wabash’s Global Health Initiative (GHI) program.
“Francisco was also a biology major, interested in medical school, and was from Texas—roughly 20 minutes from where I’m from—it was like we were walking in the same shoes,” said Ramirez, a biology major and history minor from Alamo, Texas. “He was passionate about the GHI and I valued his opinion, so I decided to give it a chance.”
Wabash’s GHI is a collection of opportunities that allows students to learn about and work in global public health in and out of the classroom and to serve communities locally, regionally, and internationally.
GHI students have served in various roles over the years working for public health organizations like the Montgomery County Health Department, Franciscan Health, Crooked Creek Food Pantry, Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, and Shaping Our Appalachian Region, Inc. (SOAR).
“The students shared stories about their internships and how those experiences left a positive impact on them and the communities and people they served,” Ramirez said. “I thought that was inspiring, that’s what I really would like to stand for. I wanted to build strong connections and help others.”
Ramirez joined the program his sophomore year and then spent three weeks the following summer in Peru, South America, providing health assistance to various impoverished communities across the country alongside the Global Health Initiative-Peru Association.
He enjoyed participating in Corazones Excepcionales (“Exceptional Hearts” or COEX), one of GHI-Peru Association’s three programs that teaches speaking, reading, and fundamental life skills to children with Down Syndrome.
Growing up with a sister who has Down Syndrome, Ramirez said he felt a personal connection to the families.
“When I was working with these kids, I kept thinking about my sister,” he said. “I loved seeing the smiles on their faces. When they had a smile on their face, I had a smile on my face. And when they didn’t, I worked to change that.”
Biology Professor and GHI Director Eric Wetzel got to work alongside Ramirez when he returned to Peru a second time last year as part of a global health class.
“Jacob came in with this real sense of pride and wanting to give back,” Wetzel said. “He recognized the reality of how difficult it can be for some communities to have access to health care and was really drawn to the work we do in Peru.”
Wetzel said Ramirez stood out as a leader while providing a range of services to Peruvians including tutoring and translating.
“This past year felt like this big homecoming,” explained Wetzel, who has been leading the Peru immersion experience for more than 10 years. “Jacob is beloved by all—the healthcare workers, program leaders, women in the community, the kids.
“There’s a group photo that was taken after one of our workshops that summer with him, a bunch of kids, and some women. He’s standing there in the center, with a big smile on his face, holding hands with one of the older ladies who receives services,” he said. “That image perfectly captures the trust, relationships, and connections he made with the community. There’s so much empathy and humility there.”
Last summer, Ramirez interned at St. Clare Health Mission in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He acted as a receptionist and social worker, responsible for a wide range of tasks from digitizing patient information to visiting rural farms and underserved communities to help doctors provide first aid.
“I was able to see a side of healthcare that requires a lot of mental fortitude and an open heart,” he said. “The efficient communication and coordination conducted by professionally trained individuals (volunteer doctors, residents, nurses and other health workers) allowed for efficient care of individuals who otherwise would not be able to pay for such basic care.”
With the support of CEO Scott Rathgaber ’84, Ramirez also had the opportunity to shadow various physical therapy departments at Gundersen Health System during his time in Wisconsin.
That experience solidified his plans post Wabash.
“The high-quality care, strong provider-patient relations, and emphasis on continued education I observed during my shadowing periods all emboldened my goal of continuing my education to one day earn the opportunity of entering a physical therapy program,” said Ramirez, who is specifically interested in pediatrics.
“The time I got to spend with the kids shadowing that department brought me the most happiness,” he said. “Watching their progression week-to-week and seeing the patients excited to see me when they met with their therapist was rewarding. I realized this is where I need to be. I want my name to be on that door one day.”
Biology Professor Heidi Walsh was excited to hear about Ramirez’s goals.
She watched him interact with children last year when her physiology class hosted an event at Carnegie Museum of Montgomery County called Brains and Bodies Day. Each student in the class had to come up with activities and demonstrations about the human body to showcase to local kids.
“He was completely at ease with the kids,” Walsh said. “He always had a smile on his face and knew how to talk to them in a way that made them feel comfortable and confident.
“Those interpersonal skills are where he really shines,” she continued. “As you can imagine, it is probably scary for some kids to have to go through any type of medical challenge. I’m confident that having a physical therapist like Jacob will bring ease to those kids and their families.”