Getting an IV bag at our practice not only provides you with the many benefits associated with IV therapy but also with the benefit of meeting our IV technician Nelson Magallanes, a gentle and joyous soul.
Thirty years ago Nelson came to New York for a year-long sabbatical in the United States. He had two goals: to learn English and to advance his studies in medicine. He would then take this newfound knowledge back to his home in Venezuela. However, the Universe had another plan.
In the interest of advancing his English, and passion for medicine Nelson registered for Anatomy for Artists, a human body sketch class. This course allowed him the opportunity to familiarize himself with the human anatomy in the English language; in addition, it provided him with the tools and confidence necessary for him to advance his career in healthcare in the United States.
In the beginning, he was unable to understand the instructor’s comments to him, but he said, “If he smiled I smiled if he frowned I frowned. I wasn’t sure what he was saying but he smiled quite a bit.” After this course ended Nelson went to the Manhattan Institute to continue his studies.
Nelson’s first job as an IV technician in the States was serving patients who had been affected by the Aids Epidemic. This period of work was emotionally difficult for Nelson as his time with patients was often fleeting and cut too short. He said, “I would work with patients and the next week they wouldn’t make it in for their appointment. It was like that all the time. It was depressing.”
However, as the years passed, the clinic that Nelson worked at started offering IV’s to patients who were experiencing symptoms such as chronic fatigue, colds, detox, etc. During this period of time Nelson was grateful to be able to witness the improvements in patients’ health over the course of their IV treatments, “To be able to relieve someone’s pain and suffering and even be able to cure it, that’s what makes my work rewarding.”
His ability to empathize and show compassion is what makes him truly unique. However, Nelson believes it’s a characteristic that anyone in his field should practice. Maybe this mentality comes from the lack of quality care his family and him have received in the past. Nelson recalls, “When my wife was pregnant and we would go to the hospital, they wouldn’t even make eye contact with us or acknowledge us. So then I started bringing Dunkin coffee and donuts in and then they would light up when we walked in. But I don’t want patients to have to do that for me. I’m here to serve them and make them comfortable, without expecting anything in return.”
Nelson’s constant generosity and incredible work ethic is inspired by his life motto, “No matter what you do, give it everything.”
When Nelson isn’t putting all his positive energy towards his patients you can find him playing music (by ear), making art, and spending time with his family.
written by Rachael Kuecher
