Ricardo Ayala is from Douglas, AZ and describes himself as a late bloomer. He studied finance and was a mortgage broker prior to enrolling in medical school. His appreciation for preventative medicine, interest in health and wellness and passion for serving others redirected him to the field of medicine.
Q&A With Ricardo
What has your path been like to where you are now?
The journey has been extremely exciting. Although difficult and trying at times; the numerous accomplishments and leaps forward taking me closer to becoming a physician has been the ultimate reward.
What do you love most about what you are doing now?
What I love most about where I am now is being able to look back and knowing that my unrelenting faith and commitment to myself and my family has allowed me to overcome any and all transient obstacles.
What are some of your outside interests?
I love spending time with loved ones. I love being a husband and father to my young children. I enjoy cooking, camping and being outdoors.
Did you have a mentor that contributed to your growth? Who was that mentor and what lessons did you learn from them? How did you find that person?
My mentor is an anesthesiologist at the Banner-UMC. His name is Anthony Lucas M.D. He taught me that being knowledgeable, reliable and humble will earn you the respect of colleagues, residents and patients. I met him at a pivotal time in my life through a mutual friend. I was in the process of a career change and through his “cool” in difficult situations; he inspired me to pursue a career in anesthesiology.
What advice would you give to students?
Find balance in whatever you do. If you can trick your mind to enjoy the process even in the most difficult times…the grind will never seem so tough.