Culture
From rafter to CEO: How a Cuban immigrant doctor escaped communism and found the American Dream
Dr. González tried to escape from Cuba seven times before succeeding: "Months passed in which every weekend, without exception, I tried to be free"
May 12, 2023 9:04am
Updated: May 12, 2023 9:04am
Cuban doctor Raúl Angel González, is an example of perseverance. Despite the obstacles and challenges that came his way, he remained steadfast in the pursue of his dreams and worked tirelessly to achieve them.
The political imprisonment of his father in Cuba in 1996 motivated him to seek freedom and a better life for his family. That was the moment he decided to emigrate to the United States. However, the exit route was not easy. In the same year that he graduated in medicine, a ministerial resolution of the Cuban regime demanded that emigrant doctors apply for a "release" permit that kept them on the island for eight years.
During that time, Dr. González formed a family, but without ceasing to dream of living in freedom. Finally, when he had won a lottery visa to the United States, his luck changed again when the Cuban regime failed to "release" him on time, causing his visa to expire in 2008.
Despite the obstacles, Dr. González did not give up. He tried to leave the country in a raft seven times, crossing mangroves and walking 70 kilometers cross-country. During his odyssey, he was detained by the authorities and even chased by armed policemen.
Dr. González recalls that "it was two months in which every weekend, without exception," he tried to escape.
When he finally made it to the United States, he had to work all sorts of jobs to support his family, from handling cargo to working at a gas station, all the while studying English and preparing to become a professional in his new country.
He thus managed to obtain a Master's degree in Business Administration and become the CEO of Community Medical Group, one of the largest medical centers in South Florida.
In 2019, he founded his own medical center, Integrum Medical Group in Miami, which focuses on helping immigrants integrate into American society. His story is an example for all who seek a better future and shows that perseverance and determination are the keys to fulfilling your dreams.
