He graduated and left the city to be one of two doctors in a town of 2,000 people.
For a long time, Ignacio Beckensteiner (28) thought his life would happen in Rosario. There he was born, raised, studied and trained as a doctor. But fate, and an almost random decision, took him to Maggiolo, a small town south of Santa Fe, where he lives today. One of the two doctors What is there
“My taste for medicine started when I was a teenager. I was always interested in the health field, but it was after I became specifically My father diedGeorgie is the result of a disease that we could not detect directly. “I was 15 years old at the time.”
“When this happened, it motivated me to understand the reasons and help as well. During my studies I realized that the most important thing is to accompany the patient. Try to solve the problem or accompany him as much as possible. Because often one cannot solve the problem he faces. But they can accompany him,” he describes.
The idea of accompaniment became the focus of his career. Ignacio was trained in General medicine and geriatricsI recently started specializing in… sexology. Before leaving the city, he worked in the field of telemedicine and in two famous centers in Rosario: the Italian Hospital del Centro and the IPAM Clinic.
“The guards were very fast, with a lot of city rhythm. For a very short time, you can be calm, and then everything gets out of control. It is very important that you can contain your team. Even though it was a short stage, I learned a lot.”
One payment, three interviews, and a life change
The development came about by chance. “The opportunity started with a question: What if I applied?” he says. He was taking his final exam when his mother showed him news about a call from Es Vicis. The non-profit organization, through its “Welcome to My City” program, was looking for professionals to repopulate small rural towns with the required profiles. In Maggiolo, there was a shortage of doctors.
“I registered as a student and did not expect that they would call me later,” says Ignacio. “I did not hesitate for a moment. I took my things and left.” “It was a 34 doctors competition All over the country. I did three interviews and stayed. They were very interested in my profile. I was also very interested in village life because it was quieter.
Ignacio Beckensteiner (28 years old) left Rosario to move to a city.“The case of Ignacio Beckensteiner is an example of how to do this,” they explained from the foundation Personal choice can change the life of a community At the same time, opening new opportunities for professional and human development.” Es Vicis works with neighbors and local authorities to strengthen the roots and sustainable revitalization of cities. In recent years, they have noticed that medical care is emerging as a constant challenge. For this reason, Ignacio’s arrival was celebrated.
“He just graduated and moved right away. Today he is a doctor in a town with a population of 2,000. He is very popular, and serves not only in Maggiolo, but also Also in other cities They say from the organization: “They need a doctor.”
A new life in a 10-block town
The change from city to city was radical. “It was a 180-degree turnaround. You can imagine. Going from being in the city with friends, with your family, with so many things to do, noise everywhere…and all of a sudden, the quiet of the city. It still surprises me.” Not having to take the bus to work Or to study,” he says between laughs.
Maggiolo is just “10 x 10 blocks”. “I love this closeness with the neighbours, we pass each other on the street all the time. I’ve been here for a year now and we all know each other. I’d say we A large family of two thousand peopleQ. I arrived in my family’s car, they accompanied me for the first week and fortunately people treated me very well. There is a lot of respect here, not like in the cities Clarion In his calm tone of voice.
He describes the place as “a beautiful town, with a lot of elderly people. It’s very close to Venado Torto, and the people are very kind and generous, and the main activity is agriculture and livestock. I highlight the peace and closeness with the neighbours, and what they live with. It’s something I’m not used to in the city.”
First consultation and unexpected birth
The first time he attended Maggiolo was unforgettable. “It was a lady I met again yesterday and we reminisced together. She was desperate because of her lower back pain. She had several herniated discs. She reminded me that thanks to a recommendation from me, That pain was reduced by 70%.. The truth is, I value these kinds of things a lot.
But the most unusual case he had to face was another case. “We were following up on a pregnant girl,” he says. “She was on schedule. She came to the ward several times for a possible birth. She touched me by chance.”
“It was an extraordinary moment. I still don’t have the words. Look, I remember and I get goosebumps. Because we arrived and… I was already in the middle of labor. Which is a very interesting question. But as a doctor and nurse you have to accompany this process. There are few interventions you can do at that moment, actually. But the strangest thing, yes, is precisely the accompanying birth process. “Untie the umbilical cord from the newborn’s neck,” he says, still amazed.
Everything happened at the patient’s home. He says: “In those moments, you don’t feel nervous or anything like that, but you are well in touch with the present and you behave. The baby’s name is Yamal. I saw him last month for a medical examination and he is in good health.”
Daily work in the city
His daily life takes place between on call, the office and referrals. “We are three doctors,” he explains. “We provide primary care to patients, and we try to do everything our training allows, but we must refer to a specialist when appropriate.”
“The hospital where I live is a primary care hospital, and we have few resources. It is a kind of CAPS. We only have X-rays, we do not have a laboratory. In these cases we accompany the patient, give the first diagnosis and refer him. If it is an emergency, we use the ambulance system. We have contact One-eyed deerThis is where we mostly make referrals.
On days of outbreaks of pharyngitis or gastroenteritis, 30 or 35 consultations may be performed in one day. “I’m never bored,” he says with a smile. Although the atmosphere is generally very quiet.
He also makes home visits when necessary: “They call SAMCO, the patients are triaged, and if necessary, I help the ambulance. If not, I walk and treat the patient at home.”
The value of choosing another path
Ignacio learned to enjoy the silence, the birds, and the greetings on the street. “It’s very quiet,” he describes. “I imagine I hear the cows. Sometimes I walk and come across chickens and sheep. No more cars, no more buses.”
His routine starts early when he’s not on call. He works his hours at SAMCO, attends the office at the retirement center, studies, and meditates. On weekends he travels to Rosario to visit his family.
Although he realizes that it was a profound change, he feels no regrets. “Yes, in that sense, for professionals like me who are just starting out, of course I recommend it. For other professionals who are finishing their career and want to retire as well. Medicine has many branches. If you like primary care, the first contact with the patient is, of course, highly recommended.”
In Maggiolo, Ignacio found what he had lost in the city: time, tranquility and meaning. His story, as highlighted by the institution that met with him, is proof that an individual decision can change a life, as well as the life of an entire people.
