On more than one occasion, we have shared the steps of Patrick vd Linde's journey as a plastic surgeon. In every interview, Patrick always expressed his wish to one day return to Aruba, where he grew up and where his family and roots are, notably his mother Irene vd Linde from the Family Laboratory. After 17 years away from home, Patrick vd Linde is now back in Aruba, and he hasn't returned empty-handed. The experience and knowledge he gathered over the years abroad are unparalleled, and Aruba is ready to receive all the benefits.

Patrick's path to becoming a plastic surgeon was not simple. He began his education in the US where he completed 2 years of Pre-Med. His next stop was Costa Rica, dedicating 7 years of his life to studying medicine. His desire to further specialize took him to Bogota, Colombia. This was not an easy task, considering the fierce competition for the few available specialization spots. "I graduated with the highest score and thus became the first foreigner to enter the Universidad de Rosario. I stayed there for 4 years. It was during the time of the FARC where, as a doctor, we would go into the field or work in temporary hospitals treating people in extreme trauma due to bomb explosions or other severe aggressions.

So we were in a military field. It wasn't only Patrick's academic formation that distinguished him, but also his ability to adapt to challenging situations. His reputation grew, and it wasn't long before Brazil recognized his talent, inviting him for further specialization in plastic surgery at the University of Sao Paulo, one of the best in the world. "They themselves asked me to apply for an additional specialization in Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Microsurgery Reconstruction. My last year in Colombia, I learned Portuguese and thus qualified to do residency at the University of Sao Paulo (top 6 in the world) where I studied and worked for 5 more years.