(My best friend, her niece, my daughter and me.)

My name is Ricardo Barriga-Galindo. My major in LaGuardia Community College is Liberal Arts and Science. The major I am currently pursuing is Biology (Pre-Medicine). Science has always fascinated me. My goal is to obtain a Bachelor's degree in Biology within two years. After obtaining my Bachelor's degree, I hope to pass the medical certification aptitude test and be accepted into a medical school and eventually graduate as a Cardiovascular Surgeon. I understand that this career path will entail many years of study, sacrifices, financial burdens, and mental exhaustion; however I am prepared to face any challenges. Courses I have taken relevant to my career goals are Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Psychology, Chemistry, and Biology. I have approximately fifty credits at this time.

There are many interests that fuel my passion to be a cardiovascular surgeon. Since I started working at the age of fourteen, my calling has been evident. My first employment as a taxidermist required me to dissect, cure, and mount many different game animals. This was a challenge at first, until I mastered the techniques of this trade. I discovered that I am neither afraid of blood nor am I repelled by the sight of a cadaver. Because of this experience I now possess great skills in utilizing a scalpel.

I currently work as a manager in a General Nutrition Center store. This job is a stepping stone to my career because I deal with people and different ailments on a daily basis. Through my knowledge of biology and natural science; I successfully help many patients who are unable to cope with prescription drugs and the side effects they cause. There were many instances where I resolved mild to moderate cases of ailments. I also attended an obesity seminar where Dr. Mark Hyman presented new and proven natural research that will help alleviate and or terminate obesity from one's DNA structure. Unfortunately, there is no existing pharmaceutical medicine that will alleviate or terminate obesity. I did some research on enzymatic therapy and natural immunity boosters, which treat the most common drug prescribed ailments, without the negative side effects. I plan to use my knowledge of natural science and incorporate it with my future medical practice. 

My goal, meaning, and purpose in life are to bring health and a new lease on life to my patients as a doctor.  According to aging society.org, “Almost 18 million people - 7 percent of all Americans-have heart disease.  More than half of the population with heart disease is under age 65.”  This quotation is based on the American population only and the world population is suffering from this “preventable” disease at an alarming rate!  As a future cardiovascular surgeon, I will give my time to educate people on preventing this epidemic killer, make a stand against the disease, and give others a new “lease” on life.