Dr. James Pesantez with a Shaur indigenous girl who lives in the Amazon in Ecuador.

Do not doubt James Pesantez when he sets a goal, because he will rise to the occasion and prove you wrong. Pesantez, who grew up in Danbury and attended Danbury High School, knew what profession he wanted to work in one day, and he has not let anything stand in his way.

“Throughout high school, I was committed to working hard toward my dream of becoming a doctor,” Pesantez said. “I faced my share of insecurities regarding my potential, especially during my senior year when my English teacher expressed doubts about my aspirations. Rather than letting her words discourage me, I used them as motivation to prove not only to her, but more importantly to myself, that I could achieve my goals.”

After high school, Pesantez had his sights set on a private liberal arts men’s college in Indiana that had an impressive track record for pre-med students, he said. But his family’s financial situation forced him to stay close to home and enroll at Western Connecticut State University.

Undeterred, he majored in Psychology and graduated from WCSU in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Mathematics.

With his demanding studies, Pesantez wasn’t able to become heavily involved with campus clubs, but had the opportunity to serve in the Future Leaders of Leadership and Success program, work with AmeriCorps, and volunteer at Danbury Hospital. “Additionally, I supported my Latino community by organizing fundraising events for those facing financial hardships,” he said.

After graduating from WestConn, Pesantez began working in the psychiatric unit at Danbury Hospital. “I soon realized that this path did not align with my aspirations,” he said. “I explored various roles in behavioral health, but in 2014, I acknowledged that my true calling lay elsewhere. My education at WestConn enriched my understanding of mental health, which has been invaluable in my development as a physician. I now approach patient care holistically, recognizing the importance of the mind, body, and spirit. I owe much of my growth and perspective to the experiences I had at WestConn.”

Pesantez said that after his 2013 graduation, he took time to reflect on his path to becoming a physician. “Initially, I faced apprehensions about meeting pre-med requirements and standardized testing, which made me consider options outside the U.S. It was during a visit to Ecuador, prompted by my grandfather’s diagnosis with pancreatic cancer, that I decided to pursue medical school there. Although my journey through medical school was challenging, I persevered and graduated in the top 20% of my class in 2021. I am now in one of the top residency programs in the country.”

Beyond his medical career, Pesantez has been actively involved in humanitarian efforts in the Ecuadorian Amazon, specifically with the Indigenous Shaur community, working to provide them with a sustainable source of clean water. “Despite facing obstacles in securing support from local authorities, my persistence has led to the formation of a dedicated team working toward developing this crucial water infrastructure project. I am currently seeking assistance in publicity, financial support, and volunteers with experience in Excel, marketing, and business management to help further this mission.”

Pesantez is living his dream of being a doctor and working to help the community he now calls home because of his persistence in following through on his goals. He believes the same can be true for others who will not give up. “I would encourage future students to view WestConn as a profound opportunity for personal and academic growth,” he said. “The experiences and education offered here can truly transform one’s life.”

Western Connecticut State University changes lives by providing all students with a high-quality education that fosters their growth as individuals, scholars, professionals and leaders in a global society. Our vision: To be widely recognized as a premier public university with outstanding teachers and scholars who prepare students to contribute to the world in a meaningful way.