Three Questions With ... Vic Madrid

Three Questions With … is an opportunity to celebrate and learn more about staff in the Division of Student Affairs. This month, get to know Vic Madrid from Retriever Integrated Health!

Name:

Vic Madrid, M.D.

Pronouns: He/him/his

Title:

Medical Director/Associate Director of Health Services

Retriever Integrated Health

Years in Student Affairs/UMBC:

5 (started August 2018 as Contingent I, then Regular FT staff October 2020)

What is something you do as part of your position that people may not be aware of?

I do not personally see many patients these days, but take pride and priority in ensuring that our amazing medical team has all the tools necessary to provide the highest quality care that they can.  I also cherish the many opportunities to work with other departments across campus to contribute to the health and safety of our entire community and beyond, not just those who come to our clinic in the Center for Well-Being.  One example is our work with the Dept. of Recreation and their summer youth camp.  When needed, I can zip over to the RAC to check out an injured camper or administer meds.  Another rewarding annual project is coordinating the vaccine clinics every fall, bringing a convenient option for our students and staff to be best protected against seasonal illnesses.  

What is one of the most important things you’ve learned during your time here? 

This is my first venture in higher education, coming from a 20-year career practicing primary care medicine.  I have thoroughly enjoyed learning how the young mind works, and figuring out myriad ways to better help our students navigate through their journey here.  I am also inspired by the dedication and expertise of so many UMBC colleagues who will stop at nothing to develop and deliver the best college experience possible. 

But the most important thing that I have learned is how to work with others across unfamiliar disciplines.  As a physician, much of the work and decision making is done alone.  But as an example of amazing collaboration, the pandemic opened up many opportunities to work with so many different departments, and it was an incredibly rewarding experience to be a part of the entire community coming together with a single purpose.

What do you like to do for fun and/or is something you are passionate about outside of work? 

After spending time with family, my next greatest passion is flying down mountain trails on skis in the winter and on my mountain bike year-round.  I love outdoor experiences, and am fortunate to have Patapsco Valley State Park as my backyard.  There you’ll find me riding for fun and fitness.  Sometimes I ride solo for a form of mental therapy, other times with my family and friends, and every fall you might catch me leading a bunch of teenagers as a coach with the Trolley Trail Tacocats, a middle and high school level mountain bike race team in the National Interscholastic Cycling Association.  When the weather doesn’t cooperate, I enjoy playing the guitar and fixing things- bikes, cars, tuning skis, and anything else in the house and garage.  

("Three Questions With Vic Madrid" will be published in the May 2024 issue of "DoSA Matters," the division's internal e-newsletter.)