When Alexia Dayan Lecaros Zavalla, a 23-year-old medical student from Lima, Peru, arrived in Chapel Hill in October, she was greeted with an opportunity that would help to shape her future. In her sixth year at Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, one of Peru’s most prestigious private medical schools, Lecaros was selected for a competitive one‑month rotation at the UNC School of Medicine through an agreement between UNC Health and Cayetano. Dr. Michael Wang, associate professor of stroke and vascular neurology, served as her mentor, tasking Lecaros with responsibilities nearly equal to those of a first-year resident.
For four intensive weeks, she divided her time between the general neurology team and stroke team, adapting to new routines and expectations.
“Each day began with patient rounds—reviewing cases, writing progress notes, and placing orders—mirroring the work of medical professionals in the U.S.,” Lecaros said.
Back home, Lecaros was accustomed to hospital shifts documented on paper—a stark contrast to the fast-paced, technology-driven reality of UNC’s “Epic” electronic medical record system.
Alexia Lecaros spent most of her time working in the Acute Neuroscience Unit.
“Learning how to use Epic was a big challenge. It’s a wonderful platform, but there’s so much to learn.” She credits three interns—two in neurology and one in psychiatry—for mentoring her and making the transition less daunting.
“The interns were like mentors to me. They genuinely encouraged me to get more involved with patient care.”
The cultural dynamics of patient care also brought its own lessons and surprises.
“In Peru, I’m used to explaining care plans to patients, but here, people feel much more comfortable asking questions. Sometimes a patient’s accent—or even the fact that English wasn’t the first language for either of us—made communication a challenge.”
“And–you try so hard to put the patient and family’s mind at ease, but sometimes you can’t, because you don’t have the results yet.”
Still, Lecaros found these conversations deeply rewarding.
“One elderly patient went out of her way to thank me for being so nice and caring. It meant a lot in that moment, as an international student, especially because I was nervous and convinced that every patient could tell I wasn’t yet a real doctor.”
Alexia is preparing for her final year of medical school at Cayetano. (Credit: Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia)
For Lecaros, neurology has an intricate complexity that she finds fascinating, that starts with the physical exam. “Every symptom is a clue—like a piece of a puzzle. The physical exam reveals so much, and the real challenge is connecting each finding to the underlying physiology: how the nerves work, where they’re located, and the paths they take through the body to reach a specific area.”
“Sometimes in Peru, we can’t always get MRIs or CT scans due to limited financial resources in public hospitals. So you really need to rely on your clinical skills to know what’s going on inside the brain.”
As she prepares for her final year of medical school (she’s currently in her sixth year in Peru’s seven-year program), Lecaros is thinking ahead.
“This opportunity has helped me walk one step closer to my biggest dream, to become a physician and practice in the U.S. I’ve also discovered that I really enjoy research. I’d like to pursue a research fellowship in the U.S., while I take exams to apply to residency.”
For the UNC community, Lecaros’s story is a powerful reminder of the value of global exchange—across countries and cultures—and the mutual learning it makes possible.
For more information on the UNC-Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia exchange program, contact the Office of Global Health Education. To help support future SOM student global health programs like this one, donate at: www.unchf.org/globalmeded.
