International Student Pursues His Dream Through PCO/Salus Program

Antonio Martinez Barrera considers the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus the perfect place to continue his dream of becoming a licensed optometrist in the United States. But as dreams go though, his has had a high degree of difficulty to this point. 

Martinez Barrera, originally from Cuba, was on campus in early August for the second time this year (the first time was in April) along with other international students pursuing a Master of Science (MSc) in Clinical Optometry degree through the University’s Department of International and Continuing Education (DICE). 

But the path has been filled with challenges for Martinez Barrera. After graduating in 2009 with a doctorate in Ophthalmology in Cuba, he went to practice in Venezuela three years later through an agreement between the two countries. For two years (2012-2014), he provided ophthalmology consultation for the people of Venezuela and taught in the healthcare field. 

In 2006, President George W. Bush’s administration, in conjunction with the U.S. State Department and the Department of Homeland Security, developed the Cuban Medical Professional Program (CMPP), which allowed Cuban medical personnel conscripted to study or work in the U.S., but under the direction of the Cuban government.

Martinez Barrera jumped at the chance to come to the United States in pursuit of his dream. But the Obama Administration eventually discontinued the CMPP program and the relationship between the U.S. and Cuban governments soured to the point that Martinez Barrera, his wife and two children decided to defect to the U.S in 2014 before this special program closed. 

“At first, it wasn’t easy because I left my country, my land with its customs and culture and especially my profession as a doctor,” said Martinez Barrera. 

He settled in Florida in and has been able to work at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute as a senior ophthalmic technician and then at Magruder Eye Institute in central Florida, where he is a certified ophthalmic technician through the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO). 

When looking for a university in which to pursue his MSc, PCO/Salus stood out for its international program, according to Martinez Barrera. 

“I decided to apply to PCO because there are two programs, the master’s degree and the doctorate degree. It gives me the opportunity to get my license in a good period,” he said. “Salus is perfect for international students because there are many options.” 

Among the hurdles Martinez Barrera has had to navigate to pursue his passion of becoming an eye doctor in the U.S. is the language barrier. He treats a lot of Spanish-speaking Puerto Rican and Cuban patients in Florida but is constantly working to improve his English skills. 

“I need to improve my English every day because it’s the language of this country. My first language is Spanish, but I try to do the best I can every day with English,” he said. 

After completing his MSc program, Martinez Barrera, who became a U.S. citizen in 2020, plans to apply for an Advanced Placement Doctor of Optometry (APOD) program at PCO/Salus. 

“This is my dream, and I think Salus is the perfect place for me to achieve that dream, continue my graduate education and begin my journey into a healthcare professional career,” he said. “I consider it a good program, great staff, excellent professors and very professional. I’m here to be ‘Salus Strong’ because I know that at Salus, we change lives.”