Corporal Sergio Hernandez

Sergio was thrust into the position of having to create a new life for himself at the age of 14. He immigrated to the United States from Cuba just a few months after he lost his father to a stroke. Unable to speak English, he immersed himself in school and worked at the same time to help ease his family’s economic hardships. After graduation, he enlisted in the Marine Corps as a way to say thank you to the country that had given him a new life.

He quickly learned the values of dedication, integrity and commitment. He took college courses even while serving as a Marine, but found a passion for medicine after his unit was attacked by an Improvised Explosive Device, injuring several of its members. With no medic on the team, Sergio jumped in to provide whatever aide he could offer his injured comrades. He says the incident fostered his desire to pursue a career in medicine. When his term of service was up in 2007, he left the Marines and graduated summa cum laude with a 3.99 GPA from Florida International University with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry.

As a physician, Sergio has plans to become a leader in the community and fight for the rights and health care of underserved populations. He plans to focus his efforts of addressing easily preventable medical issues and diseases, such as obesity, sexually transmitted disease and hypertension.