Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Mailyn Casado

From the Philippines to rural Texas, Dr. Mailyn Casado has built a remarkable career centered around caring for others. After more than two decades as an occupational therapist, she felt called to take the next step in her journey and pursue medicine. Her path to becoming a physician has been one of perseverance, purpose, and a deep commitment to serving her community. Now, as a Trinity graduate in an Internal Medicine residency, she reflects on the experiences and people who helped shape her journey.

Where are you from, and what’s your academic background?

I was born and raised in the Philippines. I earned my degree in Occupational Therapy at the age of 21 and practiced as a registered occupational therapist for a little over two decades before pursuing medicine. My years as an occupational therapist gave me a strong foundation in compassionate, patient-centered care and ultimately led me to answer a calling that developed over time.

What brought you to medicine?

Before entering medical school, I spent a little over two decades as a registered occupational therapist, with the last 10 years serving in the outpatient rehabilitation department of a rural county hospital in Hereford, Texas—a community I proudly call home. During that time, I had the privilege of caring for patients of all ages with a wide range of rehabilitation needs.

Working in a rural community allowed me to witness firsthand the healthcare disparities that many patients face, particularly the limited access to physicians. As the years went by, I felt called to do more. I realized that becoming a physician would allow me to broaden my scope of service and help bridge the gap between patients’ medical needs and access to quality healthcare. When the opportunity to pursue medicine presented itself, I embraced it with gratitude and committed myself fully to the journey. It has been one of the most challenging and rewarding decisions of my life.

Did you have any clinical experience before medical school? Where?

Yes. I worked as a registered occupational therapist across a variety of practice settings, including schools, acute care hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing facilities, long-term care, and outpatient rehabilitation. I also had the opportunity to serve as a rehabilitation director, which strengthened my leadership skills and reinforced the importance of collaboration within the healthcare team. Those experiences have greatly influenced the physician I am becoming today.

Was Trinity a good choice for you? Why?

Yes, Trinity was an excellent choice for me. The small student-to-faculty ratio allowed me to develop meaningful relationships with my professors and mentors. During my early years in medical school, I struggled to find the study methods that worked best for me, and the faculty were always approachable and willing to provide guidance and encouragement. Their support helped me grow academically and personally throughout my medical school journey.

Where did you match?

I matched in Internal Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Care Sciences - Amarillo, TX.

How does it feel to have graduated from medical school?

Graduating from Trinity is one of the proudest accomplishments of my life. It represents years of hard work, perseverance, sacrifice, and the support of so many people who believed in me along the way. Looking back, every challenge was worth overcoming to reach this milestone. 

What was your favorite experience at Trinity?

Without a doubt, it was the people. I will always be grateful for the friendships I built with my classmates and the mentorship I received from the faculty. They were not only part of my medical education but also part of my personal journey. Those relationships helped shape me into the physician I am today.

What are you looking forward to the most in residency?

I look forward to putting into practice everything I learned in medical school while continuing to grow every day as a physician. Residency is teaching me how to think critically, care for patients with increasingly complex medical conditions, and continue learning from experienced mentors. My goal is to become not only a knowledgeable physician but also one who is compassionate, humble, and committed to lifelong learning.

What does becoming a doctor mean to you?

Becoming a doctor means far more to me than earning a title. It is a privilege and a lifelong commitment to serving others with compassion, humility, and excellence. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to care for patients and to make a meaningful difference in their lives.

Medicine was not a dream I had since childhood. Rather, it became a calling through my years as an occupational therapist. When the opportunity arose to pursue that calling, I accepted it with gratitude and worked hard to make it a reality. Residency continues to remind me that learning never stops, and I look forward to growing into the best physician I can be for my patients.

If you’re interested in learning how Trinity can support your dream of becoming a doctor, we invite you to reach out to our admissions team today! Contact us here.