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Showing compassion toward others is a large part of Rudy Cortes’ mission in life, and an important element in his occupation.
The Lemont resident and Mexico City native is lead nuclear medicine technologist at Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital, where he works with radioactive materials to diagnose diseases and problems with the heart. The technical part is easy, Cortes said.
“The hard part is being able to connect with each patient,” he said. “You’re dealing with very sick and upset people, so you have to prepare yourself to overcome that.”
Cortes possesses a strong religious faith which he believes helps him connect with his patients on a deeper level. Combining spirituality and medicine creates magic, Cortes said.
“I have a very good connection with God,” Cortes said. “I truly believe at this point in my life faith is very meaningful.”
When an acquaintance came to him in 2002 looking for someone to adopt her three young grandchildren — whose biological mother was homeless — Cortes said he knew it was his creator laying out his path in life.
Cortes and his wife quickly acquired foster parent licenses and welcomed the children into their home.
“They were put in my path by God,” Cortes said. “They had a lot of physical and mental scars, so we took them in our care and put our resources to work.”
Initially, there were challenges, but Cortes believes he was the lucky one in the situation.
“The little I give, I get so much back from them,” he said. “I just can’t picture myself without them.”
Advancements in technology have made it easier for Cortes and other medical professionals to diagnose abnormalities, but Cortes said the emphasis of any doctor should always be on treating people with dignity and respect.
Cortes believes that all humans are connected and must be conscious of the things they do and don’t do that affect others.
“It’s amazing how a simple smile can change someone’s life,” he said.
Notable
Cortes served as a Spanish translator and ambassador of goodwill on Adventist Hospital-sponsored mission trips to Honduras and Costa Rica. He plans to continue the role on future missions trips, which include working in orphanages and providing medicine and religious comfort.
& quotable
Bringing goodwill is the most important part of the mission trips, Cortes said. “The children see you and you give them an aspirin and they think they are getting something better because it’s from America,” he said.
Education
-Bachelor’s degree in health science from University of St. Francis in Joliet
-Degree in nuclear medicine from Triton College in RIver Grove
-X-ray technician at City Colleges of Chicago
Favorites
Home-cooked meal: Tacos
Spot in Lemont: Bowling alley at Vito and Nick’s
Movies: Underdog stories that show the triumph of the human spirit
Showing compassion toward others is a large part of Rudy Cortes’ mission in life, and an important element in his occupation.
The Lemont resident and Mexico City native is lead nuclear medicine technologist at Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital, where he works with radioactive materials to diagnose diseases and problems with the heart. The technical part is easy, Cortes said.
“The hard part is being able to connect with each patient,” he said. “You’re dealing with very sick and upset people, so you have to prepare yourself to overcome that.”
Cortes possesses a strong religious faith which he believes helps him connect with his patients on a deeper level. Combining spirituality and medicine creates magic, Cortes said.
“I have a very good connection with God,” Cortes said. “I truly believe at this point in my life faith is very meaningful.”
When an acquaintance came to him in 2002 looking for someone to adopt her three young grandchildren — whose biological mother was homeless — Cortes said he knew it was his creator laying out his path in life.
Cortes and his wife quickly acquired foster parent licenses and welcomed the children into their home.
“They were put in my path by God,” Cortes said. “They had a lot of physical and mental scars, so we took them in our care and put our resources to work.”
Initially, there were challenges, but Cortes believes he was the lucky one in the situation.
“The little I give, I get so much back from them,” he said. “I just can’t picture myself without them.”
Advancements in technology have made it easier for Cortes and other medical professionals to diagnose abnormalities, but Cortes said the emphasis of any doctor should always be on treating people with dignity and respect.
Cortes believes that all humans are connected and must be conscious of the things they do and don’t do that affect others.
“It’s amazing how a simple smile can change someone’s life,” he said.
Notable
Cortes served as a Spanish translator and ambassador of goodwill on Adventist Hospital-sponsored mission trips to Honduras and Costa Rica. He plans to continue the role on future missions trips, which include working in orphanages and providing medicine and religious comfort.
& quotable
Bringing goodwill is the most important part of the mission trips, Cortes said. “The children see you and you give them an aspirin and they think they are getting something better because it’s from America,” he said.
Education
-Bachelor’s degree in health science from University of St. Francis in Joliet
-Degree in nuclear medicine from Triton College in RIver Grove
-X-ray technician at City Colleges of Chicago
Favorites
Home-cooked meal: Tacos
Spot in Lemont: Bowling alley at Vito and Nick’s
Movies: Underdog stories that show the triumph of the human spirit
