I started college at 16yrs old and because I was an international student at the university, I struggled to find an adult hematologist to handle my care. Luckily, my disability advisor recommended a clinician whose office was a walking distance from the campus. The doctor was born and raised in Mexico so he understood how hard adjusting to new country can be especially for a young black woman. Till date, he has been the best provider I’ve ever worked with so much so that he attended my graduation where he finally met my extended family. Patient care goes beyond the doctors office and as a foreigner, you want a provider who puts your care first. Dr. Ruben De Celis gave me that gift and taught me how best to self-advocate with pharmaceutical/insurance companies.