We want to highlight the tireless work of Dr. Jaime Alberto Goenaga Trujillo, Class of 1988, Internist and Intensive Care Physician from Del Rosario University, who currently works at the ICU of the Kennedy Hospital in Bogotá.
Dr. Goneaga Trujillo also teaches at La Sabana University and at El Bosque University, is representative of the Scientific Establishment, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Integrated Subnet of Health Services South West of Bogotá, one of the largest territories in the country to be hit by the pandemic, with more than 33% of COVID-19 cases nationwide. This subnetwork, which attends a population of up to 2.2 million patients, has had an expansion of 150% and has a team conformed by 5,500 employees.
Dr. Goenaga Trujillo has been a vital part of this huge operation and we want to thank him for his leadership, determination, and commitment in the fight against this unprecedented global pandemic.
We had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Goneaga about this new phase of vaccination, recommendations for the community, and memories of his time at KCP.
What are your fondest memories of your time at KCP?
My best memories in school were having shared classes with schoolmates and excellent friends. Also, the constant feedback we received in-class activities and discussions, which at that time were fundamental study bases. I remember the volleyball team and Biology classes with special affection.
How has your KCP experience impacted your life and the choices you have made in your career?
During my years of Elementary and High School at KCP, I had an excellent group of teachers, and also enjoyed reading books and National Geographic magazines for hours in the library. My Biology and Science classes were amazing, participating in the Science Fair, all of these were essential in helping me decide what I liked in life, and in my senior year, I decided that medicine was my vocation.
What advice would you give KCP students?
I invite students to take advantage of the opportunities the school gives them; multiple interactive tools at their disposal, high-quality teachers and staff, enjoying and sharing time with their friends, these moments go by very fast and rarely repeat themselves. Participating in sports, as these are fun, but they also teach discipline. All of these go hand in hand with the academic part, which is very important.
What makes you proud to be a member of the KCP alumni?
Being a part of such a successful group of graduates, both personal and careerwise. And being trained in an excellent school like KCP, give me a lot of pride.
What recommendations do you have for the KCP community now that vaccination has begun?
This is a vital moment for Barranquilla and the country. Vaccination is the first step in ending the epidemiological moment we are currently living in. If we all get vaccinated (more than 70%) we can achieve herd immunity and thus, go back to a more normal life. Let’s not be influenced by anti-vaccine comments or what the best vaccine is, the vaccines being used in the country are good and present minimum side effects. More importantly, these will provide immunity and avoid the possibility of contracting an infection that could turn lethal.
