My Creative Story: Roberto Cantù A.

Metepec, Estado de Mexico

Born in Mexico City, Roberto is a General Surgeon and Ob/Gyn Specialist. He enjoys snow skiing, deep sea diving, mountain biking, as well as manual arts. Married for more than 35 years, he and his wife had two children. He can be reached by e-mail at rca52140@yahoo.com

What does creativity mean to you?

Creativity to me is the expression of an individual’s character and capability to perform

What is your creative passion? How do you approach it?

My creative passion is to improvise with my hands. I do this through surgery, painting – in general, anything to do with manual arts conquers my attention.

Describe the feeling you have when heavily into a creative activity you love.

Withdrawal + Seclusion = Quiescence & Inner-sanctum = Splendid Isolation!

What does the creative process do you, or for, you?

The personal satisfaction I receive from the creative process tranquilizes my anxiety and allows me to release my nervous tension.

How have you fulfilled your own creative urges?

I live with frustration. I have yet to achieve this stage of fulfillment. However, I am working on it…

What do you do to satisfy your soul?

My life, my profession is dedicated to serving others, which leaves me very little time for soul searching. Perhaps the closest I have come to feeling a profound satisfaction of the soul is at the end of a difficult and complicated pregnancy; when I observe the new mother triumphant with her baby in her arms

How are you creative in your life?

Improvising!

Who has inspired you in your life to achieve your potential? How?

So many years ago, when smoking was permitted during class, my biology teacher in secondary school had a strange habit of taking a bite out of a chocolate bar before every puff; it was strange to see the smoke billowing out of his mouth as he munched.

At the end of each class, the professor dedicated time to review the day’s topic after which he gave us the related questions and explained the answers of our next exam. All we had to do was pay attention in class in order to know and understand. For this man, passing an exam was not about memorizing or last minute cramming just to pass, it was all about knowledge.

It was that simple. This man inspired me because he took away my fear of learning.

Share your inspiring story about why you love what you do, how it is creative and how you got to do it.

My professional life as an Obstetrician and Gynecologist requires all of my creative resources. Making tough decisions which saves the lives of my patients is most rewarding. When a patient who has been unable to conceive after trying for many years finally gives birth because of a treatment I suggested or surgical procedure which I performed gives me great personal satisfaction.

After more than 35 years of medical practice I continue to enjoy serving and giving to each and every individual who seeks my services.

If you have successfully changed careers several times, tell us what you have done and why. How did you get the courage to do it?
At the age of 12, I knew I wanted to be a medical doctor. I know nothing else.

In what way(s) are you creative-thinking in your private or professional life?
Every surgical intervention is different, therefore requires different tactics. I use all of my creative professional resources in order to complete each procedure successfully.

Describe how you have approached a specific problem in a creative way.
To achieve optimal results I evaluate the possibilities; weigh the Pros and Cons and find the precise moment to act.

What creative interests or projects have you been involved with lately?
Outside of my profession I enjoy oil painting, stone carving, and sculpture. At the present time I am constructing a scale replica of a wooden sailing ship.

Describe any coincidences, serendipitous and synchronistic experiences you have had.

The most recent I can think of is an anecdote about a pregnant patient who happened to stop by the office to see if I was in and if perhaps I could see her that afternoon. Her appointment was set for the following week, but she was in the vicinity.


I had left for the day only a few minutes before she arrived. When I got to my car I realized that I had forgotten something and returned to my office to find the lady talking to my assistant. I had no problem in inviting this patient to come in for her check-up; it was just as well I did because during the ultrasound I detected a problem with her baby! The umbilical cord was wrapped around the babies neck three times, and would have strangled had the mother waited for her next appointment. Can you imagine how I felt when I came out of the OR (operating room) after the emergency C-section?

Describe how you followed a 'hunch' to successful creative conclusion.
Situations such as the above have occurred repeatedly in my professional life, I always pay attention to my hunches, my instincts and my intuition.