Posted
October 10, 2024
MEN OF HOPE • ALUMNI INTERVIEW
Dr. Cortez gives patients a second chance at life through liver and kidney transplants. But long before pursuing medicine, he was a St. Edward student juggling early morning hockey practices, math challenges, and the goal of becoming his family's first college graduate.
Dr. Alex Cortez ’07 was all smiles this past Tuesday as he reflected on his years at St. Edward. Taking time to connect with his alma mater, Dr. Cortez proudly held up his high school diploma, which is now framed in his office at the Mayo Clinic, one of the highest-ranked hospitals in the nation.
Dr. Cortez credits his time at St. Edward with teaching him the power of perseverance. “Nobody in my family went to college. I never imagined becoming a surgeon,” he admits. The school's culture pushed him to dream big, embrace challenges, and work hard.
One of his most influential mentors was math teacher Tom Lombardo. Dr. Cortez recalls being in a lower-level math class with aspirations of moving up to honors. "Mr. Lombardo saw potential in me and came up with a plan: if I combined two courses in one semester, I could make it into AP." With Mr. Lombardo’s encouragement, he succeeded.
That small moment—someone seeing something in me and pushing me to take on something hard—gave me so much confidence. It taught me that doing hard things is good for you, and that’s a mindset I’ve carried ever since.
St. Edward gave Dr. Cortez more than just a strong work ethic and academic foundation—it instilled in him the confidence to take risks. Enrolled at Calvin University, he had plans to become a Spanish teacher and hockey coach. However, during his junior year, he experienced a pivotal "What if?" moment. “I realized,” Dr. Cortez recalled, "If my friend can pursue pre-med, why can't I?" That spark of inspiration led him to tackle intense pre-med coursework and ultimately earn a place at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.
Initially planning to study global health medicine, the first person he connected with in the field was a surgeon, and that’s when Dr. Cortez realized what he most wanted to do.
Once I got into the operating room, it just clicked. There's something about surgery that feels like sports—it's game day, it’s a performance, and you're fully in it. I loved it, and I’ve never looked back.
As an abdominal transplant surgeon, Dr. Cortez is part of a multidisciplinary team that manages the care of liver and kidney transplant patients, from pre-operative evaluation to post-operative recovery. The work is as unpredictable as it is demanding. "You could have a quiet week with just one surgery or an incredibly hectic stretch with multiple transplants," he shares.
The schedule can be tough, with long hours and late-night calls about potential organ offers, requiring quick decisions about whether an organ is suitable for a recipient. "It's what drives some people away from the field—the haphazard nature of it all—but that’s also what draws some of us in. The fast-paced environment keeps you on your toes."
Dr. Cortez appreciates the complexity of transplant surgery in particular, as well as the ability to see the results relatively quickly. "I love that I can solve a problem right then and there with my hands." The rewards are evident when patients return for follow-up visits, their health visibly transformed.
When a patient walks into the clinic happy and healthy, knowing I played a role in their recovery—that’s what makes it all worth it.
But the field of transplantation has its challenges, too, particularly around organ donation. "It’s an emotional process. It’s hard for families to process," he admits. "But once you understand how organ donation works, it becomes clear just how many lives can be saved. There’s a severe shortage of organs, and a lot of people are waiting."
The seriousness of his work can be heavy, however, Dr. Cortez carries with him a balance he first learned at St. Edward—where life wasn’t just about rising to challenges, but also about enjoying the lighter moments.
"There was never a dull moment! I still laugh thinking about the shenanigans we pulled—like flipping each other’s backpacks inside out and spilling everything on the floor." One of his favorite memories? "The football players would link arms to form a wall, charging down the hall like a snowplow. It was hilarious every time."
Beyond these lighthearted antics, it was the tight-knit relationships that truly defined Dr. Cortez's high school experience. He shares, "I had close friends like Eddie Siebolt ’07, and with balancing my commute from Akron with our 5:30 a.m. hockey practices, I practically lived at his house in Westlake. We had a lot of fun." He adds, "I also have to mention a few mentors who had a big influence on me—my Head Hockey Coach Bob Whidden, my math teacher Mr. Paul Bosley, who even assigned summer homework, and Mr. Shaun Kinley, the art teacher who, despite my terrible art skills, still managed to push me and build my character."
For fellow Edsmen considering the medical profession, Dr. Cortez advises to focus on the present moment. “Trust the process,” Dr. Cortez said. “While it’s important to prepare for the future, don’t get so distracted by what needs to happen next that you don’t do what needs to be done now.”
Dr. Cortez pointed out that he attended a liberal arts college, majored in Spanish, and studied abroad. He followed his passions and went where he would thrive, which is not the same path for everyone. “Know thyself and what you need to succeed,” Dr. Cortez advises. Heeding these words, graduates may look back on their high school years, their mentors, and their diplomas—perhaps even framed in their offices—and smile.
The Men of Hope monthly INTERVIEW features St. Edward alumni who, inspired by their Holy Cross education, make an impact in their communities and beyond.