Alumnus of the Year 2025-26

Marta Palazón de la Torre

Marta finished her schooling at ELIS Murcia in 2015 as our Dux Litterarum. Having completed her A-Levels and PCE subjects, she enrolled in Medicine at the UMU. Her pathway through medicine was smooth, and she graduated six years later, ready to prepare for her MIR examination and focus on her specialty.
Marta has always stood out academically, achieving top grades across the board during her 15 years at ELIS. But more importantly, Marta stood out for her values and her commitment to her community. She was also willing to get involved, participate in, and promote activities, albeit appearing in a school production, taking part in the ELIS Cup playing handball, or raising money for Fundación Vicente Ferrer or UNICEF.
And beyond ELIS, Marta has remained close to the school, always ready to visit and help guide current students moving forward, or just to say hello to her teachers, many of whom remain part of the school.
Marta is now known as Dr Palazón and is specialised in ophthalmology.

How is the job going? What is it that you like the most about your work?

I am currently finishing my training as an Ophthalmology resident at Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, and I truly love what I do. I especially enjoy surgery and the close relationship I build with my patients. I feel incredibly fortunate to learn from outstanding professionals who constantly inspire me to keep improving, both as a doctor and as a person.

To what extent do you think that your training at ELIS facilitated your current professional life?

My journey through ELIS has profoundly shaped who I am today. Beyond giving me a wonderful childhood and a strong academic foundation, it allowed me to become fluent in English and French, which has opened countless doors. Thanks to this, I have been able to train in hospitals in Australia and England and connect easily with people from different cultures.

What about your spare time? What do you do to enjoy yourself when you’re not working?

Spare time can be limited in my profession, which makes me value every free moment even more. I love staying active, spending time outdoors with my loved ones, going on hikes, and playing tennis. Travelling is also very important to me, as discovering new cultures helps me grow and keeps me inspired.

Where do you see yourself in a few years time?

Professionally, I hope to continue my subspecialty training in oculoplastic surgery over the next few years, ideally in hospitals in the UK or Spain. On a personal level, I would love to start a family and create more space in my life to share meaningful time with the people I care about most.

What values or skills do you feel ELIS helped you develop that you still carry with you today?

ELIS gave me not only academic knowledge but also confidence, curiosity, and lifelong friendships. I will always be grateful for the teachers who encouraged me to aim high and believe that hard work and kindness can truly make a difference. To students who aspire to a similar journey, my advice is simple: work with dedication, stay true to your goals, and have faith that your effort will open the right doors.

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