In the quiet moments between exams and evening routines, Alaska WWAMI student Manuel De La Garza is embracing what it means to be both a future surgeon and a present, devoted father.
Originally from Denton, Texas, and now living in Anchorage, Alaska, he’s navigating the intense demands of medical school while raising a young family—a balancing act that calls for both discipline and flexibility. He shares this journey with his wife, Laura, and their three sons: thirteen-year-old Levi, eight-year-old Mika and three-year-old Luca. De La Garza notes, “Laura plays a huge role in making sure our kids feel loved and supported. I know this will only become more challenging during residency, and her support makes all the difference.”
De La Garza first felt the call to medicine in high school through HOSA—Future Health Professionals. He vividly remembers the moment that solidified his decision: witnessing a surgery for the first time. “The body’s ability to recover, and the physician’s role in that process, inspired me to pursue this path,” he reflects. Today, he is drawn most to cardiothoracic surgery, a specialty that demands precision, endurance and heart—qualities he’s refining every day in both the clinic and at home.
“Being a parent while in medical school forces you to make every minute count,” he says. “Making limited time meaningful is hard. I’m often torn between what my kids want to do and what I think they need. I’ve learned that flexibility matters more than rigid scheduling.”
With that in mind, De La Garza tries to remain grounded in the moment. Sometimes, that means leaning into long hours of study. Other times, it means dropping everything for a spontaneous run or movie night with his sons. “Being present can’t be rushed,” he adds.
He credits his children with shaping his perspective on medicine—and on life. “They keep me grounded and remind me that school stress can’t take over,” he says. “Parenthood has deepened my understanding of what it means to be truly responsible for the well-being of others.”
Despite the challenges, De La Garza sees parenthood as a shared adventure. “My kids learn alongside me,” he says. “They see both the privilege and the sacrifice it takes to pursue this path.”