To encourage lifelong involvement in charitable medical missions by providing first-year medical students firsthand exposure to health, social, and cultural experiences in developing world communities. Born in Puerto Rico, José began his medical education at Yale in 1997 through the United States Army Health Professions Scholarship Program. He completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Eisenhower Army Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia in 2006 and became a staff orthopedic surgeon at Womack Army Medical Center at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in 2007, being promoted to a Major in the U.S. Army in June of 2008. During his medical training, José received numerous awards through both academic institutions and the U.S. Army and received the accolades of patients and colleagues alike. What made José so uniquely special to family and friends was his giving nature and insatiable enthusiasm in everything that he did—qualities difficult to express through words alone. José was dedicated and devoted; caring for and giving to others was the cornerstone of his life. He was a leader in his field and amongst his peers, earning their respect and admiration. With an infectious smile and boundless energy, he sought out and created the positive in every aspect of his life.
