Although Lucas Lazuran had been to Italy before, he had never taken in sights quite like this.

Instead of spending his days touring the likes of the Colosseum and the Pantheon as he had in previous travels, the fourth-year Brock University Biomedical Sciences student filled his time overseas watching various surgeries and making rounds with doctors in a local hospital.

Lazuran spent three weeks in July and August working with Doctors in Italy, an organization that provides opportunities for post-secondary students to shadow medical professionals and learn about Italian health care.

The Richmond Hill native was originally supposed to participate in the fellowship program in 2020, but his plans were put on hold when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

As COVID cases decreased and restrictions eased this past summer, Lazuran made the trip abroad, joining 24 students from various U.S. universities for an intensive job-shadowing experience.

The group spent their days at Campus Bio-Medico University hospital in Rome observing the work of doctors in both clinical settings and operating rooms.

“We were exposed to cardiology, orthopedics, plastic surgery and gynecology — all these areas of expertise,” Lazuran said of the eye-opening experience, which has since helped to guide the next steps of his career. “Being able to see surgeries happen in a hospital setting instead of through video was a different experience. I feel like I gained a lot more knowledge this way.”

While he’s been drawn to the medical field since childhood, a path first inspired by his grandmother, a former biology professor, Lazuran said this summer’s trip abroad helped him to find his passion in cardiology.

Witnessing a cardiac surgery, in addition to cardiac-related clinical experiences, enhanced his interest in the field.

“This experience helped me to realize cardiology is what I’m most passionate about,” he said. “It has made me have more passion for the courses I’m taking and has made me more intrigued in the work.”

Lazuran said he has been able to apply some of what he learned oversees while in his cardiac pathophysiology course this fall at Brock.

Set to graduate from the University in June 2022, Lazuran’s sights are now firmly set on heading to medical school — the next step in his dream of becoming a surgeon.

“My time in Italy really inspired me and has driven me to look even harder at entering the medical field,” he said. “For any student interested in medicine, I would highly recommend seeking out Doctors in Italy.”

Lazuran said his interest in cardiology lies in the heart’s complexity and its connection to a range of medical conditions.

“When you look at severe diseases, many of them are cardiac related,” he said. “One of the leading causes of death in Canada is heart disease. That’s where my focus is because I want to be as helpful as possible.”

Dr. Francesco Serino, who worked with Lazuran during his time overseas, described him as “incredibly passionate about health care.”

“He was absolutely professional, bright and clearly has a great future in health care ahead,” he said.