In this inspiring interview, Dr. Paul Thomas Wielebinski reflects on how his education at UAG shaped his 40-year career in Internal Medicine, instilling clinical excellence, a global perspective, and a lifelong commitment to patient-centered care.
Dr. Paul Thomas Wielebinski is a distinguished alumnus of the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara (UAG) School of Medicine, where he graduated in 1983. Currently practicing Internal Medicine full time in Orlando, Florida, Dr. Wielebinski exemplifies the long-term impact of a solid medical education grounded in clinical excellence, discipline, and a global perspective.
As part of a group medical practice, Dr. Wielebinski provides care to approximately 20 patients per day, many of whom are recovering from recent hospitalizations. His clinical focus includes post-acute and long-term care settings (LTAC), with a primary objective of maintaining patient stability, supporting rehabilitation, facilitating safe transitions home, and reducing hospital readmissions. This comprehensive and patient-centered approach reflects the core values instilled during his medical training.
Dr. Wielebinski began his medical education at UAG in 1979. Arriving from the United States, he faced the challenge of adapting to a new country and culture, including learning Spanish—an academic requirement at the School of Medicine at the time. Through an intensive Spanish language program prior to his first semester, he developed proficiency that allowed him to complete his coursework, examinations, and clinical training in both Spanish and English throughout his four years at UAG.
This immersive educational and cultural experience proved to be transformative. Studying medicine in Guadalajara broadened his global perspective and contributed significantly to his personal and professional growth. He frequently describes his arrival at UAG as a pivotal moment in his life—one that expanded his worldview and left a lasting impression.
Dr. Wielebinski attributes his professional success to the strong academic and clinical foundation provided by the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara. The curriculum’s emphasis on thorough patient histories, comprehensive physical examinations, and sound clinical reasoning prepared him to practice medicine with confidence and precision.
Following graduation, Dr. Wielebinski successfully transitioned into the United States healthcare system. He experienced no significant obstacles in licensure or hospital credentialing and was readily accepted into various hospitals and medical institutions. The education he received at UAG provided the essential tools needed to advance his career and adapt to diverse clinical environments.
More than four decades after beginning his medical journey at the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, Dr. Wielebinski continues to reflect on his education with deep appreciation. He credits UAG with equipping him with the foundational skills, professional discipline, and global outlook necessary to excel in modern medical practice.
His story stands as a testament to UAG’s longstanding commitment to preparing physicians who are clinically competent, culturally adaptable, and capable of practicing medicine at the highest standards worldwide.
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Students from the United States and Puerto Rico will prepare to become “UAG-trained” physicians
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