Fernando M. Pellerano Sosa, MD

Bio

Hometown: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Medical School: Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE), School of Medicine.

When did you know you wanted to be a doctor? I was a very curious child. I would constantly find myself taking apart toys and putting them back together to see if they would work again. This constant search for the unknown led me to medicine.

Why did you choose to specialize in ophthalmology? My father was an ophthalmologist, so I was surrounded by lenses and slit lamps while learning how to walk. Later in medical school, I was amazed with the anatomy and pathologies of the eyes.

On one special occasion, I supported a fundraising activity for the Dominican Blind Patronage. I entered a small room blindfolded to experience what it would be like to go through obstacles without my vision. After multiple attempts I was able complete the tasks and put myself in the shoes, even if just briefly, of so many of people around the world. That day, I discovered how simple actions can become so difficult without our sight. I recognized how important my vision was and it reminded me why I aspired to be an ophthalmologist.

How did you feel when you matched with IU School of Medicine for your residency? What about this program appealed to you? A dream come true. IU Ophthalmology has many wonderful things like the exposure to a wide array of pathology and great supervised autonomy. They will train you to become an amazing ophthalmologist, but the best thing about the program is the people. We are a big family!

What has been your most memorable experience in residency so far? I would say that being able to take care of patients and seeing that your hard work translates in them getting better and improving their life. Also, in the process your start to notice an exponential personal and professional growth that is only achieved through residency training.

Who is a faculty member you enjoy working with? Why? It’s hard to say, I like working with all of them. Each one is unique in their approach to patient care, but all are knowledgeable, compassionate and care deeply about our education.

What do you admire most about your co-residents? They are all genuine individuals that will support and motivated you to become the best version of yourself.

What gets you through a long, stressful shift? Some nice music and some delicious Dominican food.

What are some of your hobbies and interests? How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance? I enjoy a good musical or play; you could easily find me singing along the lyrics of Master of the House from Les Misérables. I like playing tennis regularly and taking amateur photographs of animals and objects in my surroundings.