Alumni Remembrances

Classes of 1970 - 1979

Valdemar Ascencio, '71, M.D.'75, FACS

July 3, 2008 - My first memories of the CHS were when I was still an undergraduate at UCLA. I used to spend hours studying in the "bowels" of the "Bio Med Library." It was so quiet and isolated there; there was very little temptation to socialize and I could get a lot done. I can remember studying 6 to 7 hours each night. I also worked as a hospital orderly while I was an undergraduate and I became quite familiar with structure of the CHS. I used to challenge myself to find alternative and quicker routes to get from one area to another.

As a medical student, the CHS was so massive, but well organized. I remember the distinctive smell of the different labs, especially the anatomy lab. I remember how "intimate" and small the lecture rooms and classes wee compared to the massive rooms and large numbers of students we had as undergraduates at UCLA. I can remember feeling very honored that I could play even a small role in such a large, sophisticated and well respected medical center. I feel that even more today than I did then.

Valdemar Ascencio, '71, M.D.'75 MD, FACS
Chairman, Subsection of Plastic Surgery
Former Chief of Staff
Saddleback Memorial Medical Center
Past President, UCLA Medical Alumni Association

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