How Does a Passion for Science Combine with Human Devotion? A Story of a Paramedic with a VU Degree in Physics

Erikas Tarvydas, an alumnus of the Faculty of Physics at Vilnius University (VU), has successfully combined physics, paramedic work, volunteering, and hobbies for several years. This year he graduated with top honours in physics and will start his studies at the VU Faculty of Medicine in September.

Physics and medicine: from volunteering to job offers

“I was initially interested in aviation, but then I realised that commercial aviation, at least, was not really my thing. Aerodynamics, and therefore physics, came close. Around the same time, the volunteers at the Order of Malta Relief Organisation were running a first aid course at school, which is how I got interested in medicine. Since I did not take the biology exam, I enrolled in physics, but already in my first year of study, I applied to a trade school – I decided to become a paramedic,” says E. Tarvydas.

At the same time, while studying in the High-Tech Physics and Business programme at the Faculty of Physics, he was also pursuing paramedic training at a trade school. After graduating with honours from the two-year paramedic course, E. Tarvydas was invited to become a lecturer, voluntarily teaching first aid courses to first-year students at the Faculty of Physics.

Volunteering is an important part of E. Tarvydas’ life. During his studies, he was actively involved in student organisations, such as Physicist’s Day (FiDi), and was a member of the VU Students’ Representative Office. However, that’s not it – since childhood, fascinated by finding solutions to various problems and facing challenges, in order to take care of others, he volunteered for the Order of Malta Relief Service and actively engaged in the activities of the Vilnius Ambulance Station, where he was later offered a job.

“I liked solving problems and helping people. That’s where volunteering came from, and I’ve been interested in medicine since school. As a pupil, I took part in first aid courses run by the Maltesers, and later I took part in paramedic competitions. During my studies, I volunteered and later worked as a first aid training coordinator at the Order of Malta and as a paramedic at the Vilnius Ambulance Station. I often volunteer and am a vigilante at mass events, teaching civilians how to save lives. Currently, I am a member of the Lithuanian Emergency Medical Team, where I could be sent on international aid missions to help people affected by disasters, such as floods, earthquakes and others, if needed,” says E. Tarvydas.

Next stop – medical studies at VU

Although he will start his studies at VU Faculty of Medicine this September, E. Tarvydas does not intend to give up his work in the laboratory or otherwise leave his physics degree behind. “I am glad that I first studied at the Faculty of Physics - the community here is very strong,” says the alumnus. Through volunteering and working, he realised that paramedic training was not enough, so he enrolled in medicine. “I want to do both – I would like to combine physics and medicine, as well as research without giving up interacting with patients,” he says.

Asked whether he has any regrets about studying physics rather than medicine, E. Tarvydas says that understanding the laws of physics allows him to look at many fields from a different perspective and to see how they are related.

“That’s what makes studying physics special. When I talk to people in other fields, they don’t have to explain the mechanisms to me; I already understand them. It’s about logical thinking, seeing the connection between cause and consequence”, says the graduate. He says he organised his study schedule according to what was most relevant to his field of interest: “I chose interdisciplinary subjects, such as biochemistry, the application of lasers in medicine and diagnostics, the basics of materials processing, etc., which is what I preferred, and it allowed me to try out new things”.

The graduate says he is considering returning to the Faculty of Physics in the future to pursue a PhD, combining the interdisciplinary nature of medicine and physics.