Search
Victor P.'s Photo
Victor P.'s Photo Victor P.'s Photo

Experienced surgeon & tutor: Enjoy mastering your subject!
Victor P.

5.0 (815 ratings)

3,144 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
Hourly Rate: $90
Contact Victor

About Victor

Bio

Learning and sharing knowledge are my life.

For me, getting through college and medical school was a huge learning curve to discovering the most time-effective approaches to studying effectively.

As a medical doctor and surgeon, I spent many years teaching medical and nursing students on the wards and ORs. Since then I’ve spent another decade teaching and conveying complex ideas to motivated individuals as a private tutor, health coach, and more recently as the Medical Director and...

Learning and sharing knowledge are my life.

For me, getting through college and medical school was a huge learning curve to discovering the most time-effective approaches to studying effectively.

As a medical doctor and surgeon, I spent many years teaching medical and nursing students on the wards and ORs. Since then I’ve spent another decade teaching and conveying complex ideas to motivated individuals as a private tutor, health coach, and more recently as the Medical Director and Instructor at a graduate university program.

I look forward to getting to know your unique way of thinking and your particular academic challenge. I only keep a very small and select group of students at any one time. This enables me to get to know you better and makes our work together much more productive, effective, rewarding and enjoyable.

I am passionate about teaching because there are few greater pleasures than helping someone master an idea and make it their own. I love the challenge of distilling a complex concept down to its purest form, using plain language and visual aids, to ensure that you grasp it as intuitively as possible.

Read more

Education

Hamilton College
Biology
Royal College of Surgeons Ireland
MD
American College of Lifestyle Medicine
Other

Additional Languages

Spanish

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $90
  • Rate details: Please contact me to discuss your particular needs. I am confident we will reach a mutually-beneficial arrangement. Thank you.
  • Lesson cancellation: 8 hours notice required

  • Background check passed on 10/15/2020

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

Loading...

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Approved Subjects

Anatomy

Anatomy

As a medical doctor and surgeon, I've been studying anatomy in-depth for the past 25 years, ever since I started my bachelor's degree in Biology (comparative anatomy). Throughout my surgical career I performed well over 1,000 operations, developing a real-world, hands-on expertise of human anatomy, as well as a real joy for teaching nursing and medical students as well as surgical residents. Today I love teaching this amazing field in the clearest and most relatable way possible.
Biology

Biology

I hold a bachelor's degree in Biology with emphasis in Vertebrates but also involved Microbiology, Ecology and several other core subjects. My Biology Senior Thesis was on comparative functional anatomy in man and primates which was honored by the Sigma Xi Science Honor Society. Part of my thesis included teaching and the creation of didactic materials for future students. Moreover, I hold a Medical Degree from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and have 9 years of clinical experience in medicine, surgery and many of its various sub-specialities. Finally, I continue to enjoy a life-long fascination with life in all of its forms and I am currently working on a multi-part documentary I am making of wildlife for my toddler daughters to one day watch and learn to appreciate the life around us.
Elementary Science

Elementary Science

In high school I enjoyed all of my science courses, was part of the Astronomy Club, did research in genetics in the summer, participated in the Olympiad of the Mind Regional Science Competitions and was a finalist at the New York State Department of Energy Competition for Innovative Alternative Sources of Energy. I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Biology from Hamilton College (Top 25 Liberal Arts Colleges) with a Senior Thesis honored by the Sigma Xi Science Honor Society. As part of my pre-med requirements I completed a year of (each): inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, calculus. Moreover, I hold a Medical Degree from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and have 9 years of clinical experience in medicine, surgery and many of its various sub-specialities. Finally, I continue to enjoy a life-long fascination with science in all of its forms, from Astronomy to Ecology to Zoology. I was first inspired to be a scientist when I was very young. I know how important it is to be introduced science by being shown its importance and relevance, but it's just as important to also experience the excitement of discovery from the very beginning.
ESL/ESOL

ESL/ESOL

Learning English as a second language is a unique endeavor for both children and adults which makes it unlike any other subject. This is because there are subtle, but very important cultural and every-day factors that must be considered when learning English *after* having arrived to the United States. I lived this extraordinary experience when I was 11 years old and we moved from Mexico to the U.S. I didn't know more than 3 or 4 sentences and didn't understand most of the English I heard or read. With the help of a dedicated ESL teacher and much hard work I was able to fully integrate myself academically and socially within 1 school year, join extra-curricular activities, take my SAT exams, attend a highly competitive college and continue onto a world-class medical school. I have even moved on to learning Italian and some French! But I have never forgotten the surreal feeling of living in a country without speaking the language: the challenges this presents and the emotions it elicits: excitement, uncertainty, confusion, disorientation, misunderstanding, homesickness. It is all part of the 'ESL/ESOL Experience.' This is why, over the past 27 years I have always taken the opportunity to get involved in integrating new arrivals and to teach English to anyone who might need it. I have studied languages, taken a college course in translation, and taught both English and Spanish to many students of all ages. I look forward to helping you integrate into your new English-speaking environment so that you too can establish your new home, thrive at school or work, contribute to your surroundings and enjoy the amazing experience of living in more than one culture.
Fitness

Fitness

My medical degree involved mastery of human anatomy, biochemistry, exercise physiology as well as the practical science of identifying mechanisms of physical injury as well as understanding and implementing adequate preventative measures as well as treatment modalities. My 9 years of clinical experience has exposed me to the many consequences of an unfit lifestyle as well as to the body's ability to transform itself upon implementation of scientifically-sound interventions involving improved nutrition, life-style habits, structured exercise, stress-reduction techniques, psychological factors, smoking cessation, and a generally positive outlook on life. Over the past 18 months I have completed numerous Continuing Medical Education courses in Lifestyle Medicine (including Exercise Prescription, to name one) from Harvard University Medical School and Yale University.
Geography

Geography

One learns a subject best when it is relevant to one's life. Geography has always been an important part of my life ever since I browsed my first issue of National Geographic Magazine as a child. Ever since, I have been fortunate enough to have made good friends from all over the world while living in 4 countries in 2 continents while always keeping a passionate curiosity to learn about the people around me. I was born and raised in Mexico the first 11 years. I then lived in the United States for another 11 years, then in Ireland for 13, in England for 1, and in France for 6 months. I have traveled extensively to Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico, Chile, Argentina, Ireland, France, Italy, Greece, England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Luxembourg, Belgium, Netherlands, The Vatican, in addition to countless places in the United States. And I have always been interested in learning about other people's lives and environment, be it natural, cultural or political. And I have a passion for world food, which is also one great way to appreciate other nations and their culture! : ) So let's discover the world together!
Martial Arts

Martial Arts

After having done some boxing as a preteen, I have spent the past 21 years involved in the practice and teaching of reality-based self-defense techniques, have organized self-defense workshops for college women, and have completed a 6-month course in practical Tae-kwon-do as well as an intensive Krav maga course. Moreover, I have continued to study and teach krav maga over the years to relatives and colleagues with a focus on practical and effective self-defense.
Microbiology

Microbiology

I have completed multiple courses on Microbiology as part of my Biology college degree (1995), Clinical Microbiology in Medical School (2000), as well as having studied it again for my surgical post-graduate qualification (Member of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons) which I successfully completed it in 2009. Since completing Medical School (2002) I have worked in a clinical setting administering antibiotics and attending regular Microbiology and Infectious Diseases conferences for 9 years.
Nursing

Nursing

As a Medical Doctor with over 13 years of experience in a hospital environment I have had the opportunity to work with some of the most talented nurses in the world. They are an infinite repository of knowledge and experience and have always been happy to educate the newest and most clueless clinician in the team! I cannot measure how much I have learned from some nurses. In addition to having a very solid grounding in the basic and clinical sciences required in Nursing, I am also very familiar with many of the day-to-day duties Nurses, Medical Assistants, and EMT's are expected to fulfill in the work place. I look forward to helping you learn more about this most noble field.
Nutrition

Nutrition

In addition to my Biology and medical degrees, I am a certified ACE Health Coach and a Precision Nutrition Level 1 Coach and I am a professional health coach. I have taught nutrition to college, nursing, and medical students as well as to surgical residents. My decade of clinical experience in hospital shas exposed me to the many consequences of poor or neglectful nutrition as well as to the body's ability to transform itself upon implementation of scientifically-sound and comprehensive interventions involving optimized nutrition. Nutrition is a dynamic field, therefore I have continued my education by completing training, including The Harvard Medical School Lifestyle Medicine curriculum (including Nutrition, Metabolic Syndrome, Obesity), The Yale University School of Medicine's Weight Management Counseling Program for Healthcare Providers, among many others.
Physiology

Physiology

I first studied Physiology during the advanced college courses of my Biology major, including Vertebrate Physiology, among others. My Senior Thesis was awarded a certificate of recognition by Sigma Xi, the Science Honor Society. In Medical School I studied Human Physiology intensively for the first 2 years and continued to deepen my understanding thereafter while applying it in the clinical setting. This was followed by 9 years as a surgical resident during which time I managed thousands of patients and performed well over 1,000 operations, all requiring expert understanding of human physiology. Most recently, in 2008 I successfully completed the post-graduate examinations required and became a Member of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons (of England, Ireland and Scotland). These exams, once again, tested my expertise in mastering all the clinical sciences, including physiology.
Proofreading

Proofreading

As a surgeon with 10 years of clinical and research experience I have had to proofread countless documents for my own education and career as well as for those of many others. I actually enjoy and take pride in taking the time to ensure my ideas will be presented in writing in the clearest and most effective manner. Proofreading requires an obsessive attention to detail and wisdom to know what to leave in and what to cut out in order for the idea to shine through. This is how proofreading and proper editing merge into one another and the two most be a seamless process. I look forward to helping you make the very best of your ideas in writing.
Public Speaking

Public Speaking

Ever since High School I have had many opportunities to speak in public both formally and informally. At Hamilton College, my Biology degree required several presentations. At the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland several clinical projects were presented to my classmates. Since graduating from Medical School (2002) clinical surgical training has required me to regularly present patient cases, as well as research projects, in several settings: from small group tutorials to international surgical conferences. All requiring thorough preparation, audio-visual media planning and rehearsal as well as plenty of giving and receiving of constructive criticism. I have taught public speaking to over a dozen junior residents in preparation for their own conference presentations.
Spanish

Spanish

I am a native Spanish speaker since I was born and raised in Mexico City. To this day I have continued to communicate with my immediate family and relatives exclusively in full Spanish and we pride ourselves in respectfully avoiding the blending of English and Spanish, which occurs so often and takes away from the integrity of both beautiful languages. As part of my College degree I hold a Minor in Latin American Studies, which involved several courses, all writing-intensive and all requiring extensive reading of Spanish-language literature. Among these courses was the" Art of Spanish Translation." I have traveled throughout Mexico and Spain, as well as to Puerto Rico, and Chile, which has exposed me to several of the many accents in the language. I am proud to observe, even if I am perhaps somewhat biased, that in my experience, Mexican Spanish is one of the clearest and most universally understood and easy-to-learn forms of the language since it denotes each and every letter and the sounds aren't as nuanced as in other countries. I look forward to sharing my love for my mother language with you and wish you all the very best in mastering it.
Spelling

Spelling

I hold a Bachelor's Degree from Hamilton College (New York) which is a liberal arts institution with strict communication requirements of all its graduates, irrespective of major. All programs have a minimum number of courses which are reading, writing, and/or public speaking intensive. This education gave me a sound foundation in spelling. Moreover, having been a Biology Major and having completed Medical School after College, my entire career has depended on attention to detail and accurate spelling since I deal with Greco-latin terminology in medicine such as 'Sternocleidomastoid fasciitis' as well as ever changing medication trade names such as 'Paclitaxel', and 'Trastuzumab'! A large part of medical training and practice involves writing reports, presentations and submitting papers for publication. This gives most practitioners very strong writing skills. I look forward to helping you develop your writing skills, starting with meticulous spelling which will serve you well for a very long time. And don't forget that one of the best ways to improve your spelling is to read... a whole lot! so when the moment comes for you to write a new word... the right spelling will "just look right" to you! Best of luck in your studies!
Study Skills

Study Skills

I have rarely been one of those students who seem to sail through courses effortlessly. Therefore I have had to rely on solid study habits, discipline, and diligence to complete my Biology degree, my senior thesis (which was recognized by Sigma Xi, the science honor society), my subsequent medical degree, and gain my post-graduate qualification as a member of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons (of England, Scotland and Ireland). Study skills are usually learned by much trial and error which can be awfully time-consuming, frustrating, and sometimes downright discouraging. I can can put my many years of learned study skills to good use - and to the test - by sharing my experience of taking on difficult and dense subjects and ensuring their successful mastery with the right skills. These essential skills include finding the best support from one's family, identifying the right time and space to study effectively, choosing and organizing one's materials, creating a realistic schedule which works with all other distractors, not against them. Moreover, we can review specific memorizing techniques, word associations, audio-visual techniques, test-taking skills, and mastering complicated concepts by breaking them down into manageable pieces. Studying is as much of an art as it is a science. And it is also a sport in that only practice can make perfect. Studying and self-education is a life-long endeavor in my field of medicine and I know I can help you to study better, more efficiently and more enjoyably! Best of luck!
Vocabulary

Vocabulary

I hold a Bachelor's Degree from Hamilton College (New York) which is a liberal arts institution with strict communication requirements of all its graduates, irrespective of their major. All programs have a minimum number of courses which are reading, writing, and/or public speaking intensive. This education gave me a sound foundation in language and vocabulary. Moreover, having been a Biology Major and having completed Medical School after College, my entire career has depended on attention to detail and precise terminology. Many have compared studying medicine to learning a new foreign language. Being fluent in both Spanish and English I can certainly attest to that point of view. And again, learning a language requires being precise and wise in choosing the best term to express an idea or feeling. A large part of medical training and practice involves writing reports, presentations and submitting papers for publication. This gives most practitioners very strong vocabulary and writing skills. I look forward to helping you develop your skills, starting with meticulous term selection built on a growing vocabulary which will serve you well for a very long time. And don't forget that one of the best ways to improve your vocabulary is to read... a whole lot! So when the moment comes for you to try using a new word you will have seen it in its adequate context at least once before! Best of luck in your studies!
Writing

Writing

I hold a Bachelor's Degree from Hamilton College (New York) which is a liberal arts institution with strict communication requirements of all its graduates, irrespective of major. All programs have a minimum number of courses which are reading, writing, and/or public speaking intensive. This education gave me a sound foundation in language and vocabulary. Moreover, having been a Biology Major and having completed Medical School after College, my entire career has depended on attention to detail and precise terminology. Many have compared studying medicine to learning a new foreign language. Being fluent in both Spanish and English I can certainly attest to that point of view. And again, learning a language requires being precise and wise in choosing the best term to express an idea or feeling. A large part of medical training and practice involves writing reports, presentations and submitting papers for publication. This gives most practitioners very strong writing skills. I look forward to helping you develop your skills, starting with meticulous term selection built on a growing vocabulary which will serve you well for a very long time. And don't forget that one of the best ways to improve your vocabulary is to read... a whole lot! So when the moment comes for you to try using a new word you will have seen it in its adequate context at least once before! Best of luck in your studies!
English
Reading

Examples of Expertise

Victor has provided examples of their subject expertise by answering 2 questions submitted by students on Wyzant’s Ask an Expert.

See all of Victor ’s answers ›
Victor P.'s Photo

Questions? Contact Victor before you book.

Still have questions?

Contact Victor

Ratings and Reviews

Rating

5.0 (815 ratings)
5 star
(805)
4 star
(4)
3 star
(3)
2 star
(1)
1 star
(2)

Reviews

Best Tutor! Highly recommend!

I highly recommend Victor as a tutor! He is incredibly knowledgeable, supportive, and really goes above and beyond to give his students the best possible understanding of the material. Victor was extremely easy to reach (he responds to e-mails very promptly). He was very flexible, and willing to work around times that were convenient for me. He took a vested interest in my education, and academic well being, working with me so that I could achieve the best possible result. Victor was incredibly prepared for each of our sessions, and would often review my material (class notes or study guides that I would e-mail him) before hand to make sure he was prepared for our lesson. His genuine interest in my progress throughout my challenging course was indicative of his passion for teaching. Victor was able to break down incredibly complicated topics, and walk me through everything I needed to know in a way that made sense to me, and in a way that paralleled my learning style. With Victor's help I was able to ace my class!

Lexy, 67 lessons with Victor
Tutor responded:

Lexy was a fantastic student to work with. She was driven, motivated, and very hard-working. Tutoring is like dancing, both participants need to meet the other half-way and be willing to go beyond that to get real results. We all have shortcomings but the right attitude towards learning can more than make up for anything else. I measure my success by the academic achievements of my students but also by seeing them discover the joy of learning more about the world and getting them closer to their professional goals. Thanks again Lexy!

Excellent Tutor

Victor is brilliant and has incredible patience. My daughter loves working with him and looks forward to working with him as she enters college. Thank you Victor.

Denise, 13 lessons with Victor

Incredibly knowledgeable, flexible, and patient

I can't even begin to express how helpful, patient, and understanding Victor is. He is incredibly knowledgeable, and the way he explains topics truly helps me understand and retain the information. He genuinely cares and wants to see you succeed. His passion for teaching and dedication makes all the difference. I would highly recommend him 1000% to anyone who needs help in the field of physiology!

Kyle, 16 lessons with Victor

Incredibly knowledgeable, flexible, and patient

Dr. Victor works with me on physiology and anatomy. He is always prepared, knowledgeable, and willing to give his time to explain concepts in a way that makes sense. He challenges me and pushes my thinking all while ensuring I understand the concepts. He is patient and kind and makes sure all my questions are answered throughly. If you are taking an advanced level science classes and need support I highly recommend Victor!

Kyle, 16 lessons with Victor

Helpful and super fun teacher

Victor helped me a lot with my college level microbiology course. He really helped me understand large topics and how to efficiently learn them. Victor is very patient and passionate about teaching his students. I thoroughly enjoyed his teaching style and would recommend him to anyone looking for help. Victor is super knowledgable and encouraging. I feel a lot more confident in my abilities to perform well and learn after working with Victor. I am looking forward to working with him again in the future.

Avery, 8 lessons with Victor
Tutor responded:

Thank you so much for your very kind words, Avery! It's students like you that make teaching such a joy! Best of luck in your future endeavors. You're hard work is paying off!

Incredibly knowledgeable, flexible, and patient

Dr. Victor works with me on physiology and anatomy. He is always prepared, knowledgeable, and willing to give his time to explain concepts in a way that makes sense. He challenges me and pushes my thinking all while ensuring I understand the concepts. He is patient and kind and makes sure all my questions are answered throughly. If you are taking an advanced level science classes and need support I highly recommend Victor!

Kyle, 16 lessons with Victor

THE BEST tutor!!

I have been working with Victor for quite a while now and he is truly the best tutor I could have imagined. He is very patient and extremely knowledgeable in Spanish, and has the added benefit of being a native speaker. He also is a doctor, so he has had much time studying himself and is able to help students in their studying. He has such a positive and engaging attitude in his teaching and I have learned a ton from him. I would recommend Victor to anyone who wants to improve their Spanish skills or any of his other areas of his expertise !

Erik, 95 lessons with Victor

awesome teacher

Great at explaining complex physiology topics. My daughter said the lesson was very helpful for a college human physiology class. Thank you!! I would recommend Dr Victor without hesitation. His fund of knowledge is incredible and he can explain complex topics extremely well. My daughters scores massively improved with his help Thank you Dr Victor!!

Valerie, 6 lessons with Victor
Tutor responded:

Thank you so very much for this flattering testimonial, Valerie! Your daughter is a rare example of the best kind of student: eager to learn and engaged, not to mention pleasant, kind, and hard-working. I wish her the very best of luck in the future and thank you for choosing me as a member of her 'success team'!

awesome teacher

Great at explaining complex physiology topics. My daughter said the lesson was very helpful for a college human physiology class. Thank you!! My daughter drastically improved her test scores!! Thank you Victor!

Valerie, 6 lessons with Victor

awesome teacher

Great at explaining complex physiology topics. My daughter said the lesson was very helpful for a college human physiology class. Thank you!!

Valerie, 6 lessons with Victor
Tutor responded:

Thank you for your very kind words, Valerie! Your daughter was an absolute pleasure to work with. Her intellectual curiosity, focus and intrinsic motivation were all very inspiring and made our session fly by.

Hourly Rate: $90
Contact Victor