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Partners In Life and Practice: Javier and Alicia Morales

Published: April 13, 2021

Javier '89 and Alicia (Freeman '90) Morales are part of a profile series on GC couples who met as undergrads, married, and then took on daunting but rewarding work as health care providerstogether.

How Did They Meet?

They met because their RAs were dating. Javier was among the first group of students recruited from Puerto Rico to play GC baseball by former coach David Altopp. Javier and his friends often stuck together. Alicia broke the ice in chemistry class when she helped him master the tricky padlock on his chemistry lab drawer.

Career Trajectory

Following graduation and marriage, each spouse had several options for the future. After a few false startsJavier studied physical therapy for awhile, Alicia tried a semester of grad schoolthey both tackled medical school. Alicia thought two spouses in med school would be a madhouse. Instead, it allowed them to connect over shared experiences; it became another element of the relationship.

They did their residencies in emergency medicine in the Grand Blanc, MI, area. Both liked it so well that they stayed on as emergency physicians. The rest, as they say, is history.

Challenges and Rewards

Emergency medicine workers are prone to burn-out. They never know what theyll see on any given day, may juggle several emergencies at once, and need a baseline knowledge of many specialties to treat various cases.

Still, the lifestyle brings perks. Javier and Alicia both have a set schedule and never go on call, making family life easier. Besides, says Alicia, I went into it because the most rewarding thing was going to be helping people. In an ever-more-consumerist healthcare industry, emergency medicine allows the pair to simply respond to needs and alleviate suffering.

Still Abides the Memory Ever

Javier and Alicia credit GC with preparing them for the challenge of medical schoolJavier especially, since he didnt attend college planning to be a doctor. Even though he hadnt prepared for that road from day one, he found himself academically ready when the time came. It really does show how academically sound the school is, Alicia comments.

They both remember competing as athletesshe in volleyball, he in baseballand remember how coaches and professors alike invested in students.

GC students realize a 90 percent admittance rate to medical schools. Learn more about our college community and careers in health care and medicine.

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