Compassion in action: Marco Madrono, M.S. '27

Having spent his early years chasing soccer goals across the U.S., Marco Madrono, M.S. ’27, now channels that same drive into helping others through occupational therapy at Lenoir-Rhyne University. He first came to the United States from Madrid at 18 to pursue collegiate soccer, eventually playing at schools in Kansas, South Carolina and Nashville. Now, with his eligibility behind him, Madrono is fully immersed in the classroom, labs and fieldwork that will prepare him to become a licensed occupational therapist.

“I believe God has a plan. If something doesn’t work out, it wasn’t meant for me, and I learn from every experience,” he said. That mindset has helped him adapt to life far from home, balancing the demands of graduate school and work while pursuing a career that aligns with his values.

“Coming to LR, I knew the occupational therapy (OT) program was strong, and I wanted to be part of a community,” Madrono said. “OT is meaningful work — you’re helping people, connecting with them and sometimes getting really creative to find the best approach.”

Madrono initially considered physical therapy because of his sports background, but a clinical observation as an undergraduate at Cumberland University in Nashville introduced him to occupational therapy, and he immediately connected with the field’s approach. 

“It involves exercise and anatomy, which I enjoy, but it’s also much more. Helping someone achieve independence or regain skills is really fulfilling,” he said. “When I did my observation hours, I could see patients come in facing challenges, and when they leave treatment, they’re happier and feel better. If I’m the reason they get from here to there, that’s the best feeling. That’s why I do this.”

His preparation at Lenoir-Rhyne combines rigorous academics with practical experience. “We do a lot of clinical reasoning — applying what we know to real scenarios. One of my professors even has a website used by programs across the country to prepare for the licensing exam. It’s not just about learning information — it’s about using it.” 

Madrono will complete three weeks of fieldwork this summer and six months next year, including experiences in pediatrics, mental health and geriatrics. A summer 2027 internship in Pensacola, Florida, will allow him to work in a clinic while staying with a family who has supported international students like him.

After graduation, he hopes to work in the U.S. to gain professional experience before eventually returning to Spain to open a clinic — bringing the knowledge and perspective he’s gained abroad to a country where occupational therapy is less common.

Madrono’s experiences as an international student have shaped both his career goals and his personal philosophy. “People here help each other without expecting anything in return. That inspired me to want to give that back,” he said. “In OT, you’re helping people with no reason other than wanting to help.”