In my journey through medical school, I have realized that pursuing a career in family medicine will allow me to address several of my special interests while also allowing me to serve me community effectively. I came to medical school after having taught eighth grade, and I knew that I wanted to be able to provide health services to adolescents. Additionally, my interests include a commitment to medically underserved populations and preventive medicine and a love of teaching. By incorporating these interests into a full-service practice, including obstetrics and hospital medicine, I believe that I can truly meet the needs of my community as well as my own personal career goals.
My interest in adolescent populations is one of the main reasons I am opting for a career in family medicine. Teenagers fall through the cracks so easily, and often end up without a primary health care provider. Since the attitudes and behaviors of a lifetime are often cemented during the teen years, I believe it is vitally important that young people have a physician with whom they are comfortable discussing their physical and emotional needs and concerns. As patients, teenagers tend to respond more readily to a compassionate atmosphere involving someone who wants to help them learn to help themselves. By integrating the various aspects of family medicine ‘’ including pediatrics, general medicine, psychiatry, and OB-GYN ‘’ the whole adolescent can be treated.
I also hope to address the needs of the special populations. For a number of years, I watched my sister suffer with the physical disabilities that accompanied her mental retardation. I was often frustrated by the lack of understanding of her needs demonstrated by the medical community. I began to recognize a similar pattern among her friends who were disabled - their medical needs were also not often being met. Having volunteered with the Special Olympics on both state and international levels, I have been exposed even more to the needs that the special populations present, and the ways that I can most effectively contribute to their healthy lifestyles. I look forward to incorporating this population into my practice.
I have learned that people with substance abuse issues present a special set of challenges, and I plan to use what I have learned in a prevention effort in my community. My mother began a non-profit halfway house program when I was in high school, and I have had the opportunity to watch it grow into a multi-facility program which now includes over 80 beds for men, women, and veterans in recovery. The exposure has been phenomenal, and I genuinely see the importance of recognizing addiction issues and working to address them in every way possible.
Family medicine offers me the opportunity to commit myself to serving my patients who have needs in all areas of medicine. By integrating my own special interests including underserved populations, prevention, and teaching into the delivery of health care to the whole family, I believe I can realize the goals I have set for myself as a physician.
I had some academic difficulties in the basic sciences as a result of my difficulties with test taking. I was able to address these difficulties in a decelerated curriculum that allowed me to spread out the traditional preclinical courses and focus on each course in more depth. The curriculum also allowed me to further develop my interests, both inside and outside of medicine. I was able to complete more electives and participate in extracurricular activities including research in domestic violence, and a number of teaching and outreach prevention programs. Returning to the full-time curriculum for my clinical clerkships, I have been able to bring to my clinical work the skills and insight I developed from my extracurricular activities. Though it was personally difficult for me to accept a change in the course I had planned, I am grateful for the additional enriching opportunities. I am greatly looking forward to having the opportunity to enhance my residency and career with the interests and abilities that I have fostered during medical school.
Monday 6 December 2010
Family Practice Personal Statement 2
Since the age of 6 years old, I found myself frequently in the emergency room due to severe asthma. It was frightening as a child, but I clearly recall the warm and friendly doctors who comforted me. Since I grew up on Welfare and Medi-Care, it meant sometimes having to wait long hours before getting medical attention. While waiting, I would chat with other patients and found that I was overwhelmed by the vast array of existing illnesses. Today I am no longer overwhelmed by the intricacies of medical diseases, but instead I’m inspired by the challenges of caring for a broad spectrum of various ailments. This is one of the reasons I have chosen family medicine.
I am a University of State graduate with a Bachelors of Science in Physiology. I participated in an internship at State Medical Center in the operating room where I found that I enjoyed easing the anxieties of patients’ pre and post surgery. In addition, I worked with a paraplegic for one year who I cared for daily. My patient was extremely frustrated because he had to be entirely dependent on me for many daily functions. However, there was no greater fulfillment than to see him grow comfortable and trusting toward me because I not only cared for him medically, but I took the time to establish a strong bond. This experience helped me develop a great compassion and understanding of the difficulties patients have co-existing with their physical disabilities. My desire to launch a positive role in a patient’s recovery along with the long term interactions established through continual care, have been other factors that have sparked my further interest in pursuing Family Medicine.
The goal of improving my Spanish contributed to my decision to attend medical school at the University in Guadalajara, Mexico. I had the fortunate experience of working with Spanish speaking patients in a family practice clinic. I was able to follow the entire family history of many patients throughout three years. Being able to become an integral part of these patients’ lives is another crucial factor that causes me to seek family practice. During my last year of medical school, I participated in the pre-internship program at the Mexican Institute of Social Services which provided me with outstanding training. I enjoyed rotating through all of the various rotations; especially pediatric, obstetrics, dermatology, and geriatrics. Family practice is well suited for me because it encompasses a multitude of areas in medicine. I want to continually be faced with the challenges that family medicine offers such as diagnosing a wide-range of diseases from different specialties, instead of focusing on one particular disease or organ system.
I also enjoy working with the elderly and learned some of their fears when I took care of my most important patient yet, my mother. I took a semester off to care for my mother who was diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer. Although it was extremely difficult emotionally watching her suffer daily, I knew that I had done my best in caring for her. I learned that many elderly patients neglect routine medical care and are hesitant or afraid to seek medical attention. As a consequence, they endanger their health or lives. My experiences have helped me mature greatly and have made me realize the critical responsibility as a primary care provider to continually teach preventive care.
I am applying to your residency program in family medicine because it is a well rounded community based program with broad-based training and a high level of responsibility that will prepare me to practice in settings comprised of a diverse population. In the future, I see myself as training future medical students. In addition, I plan to serve as a health advocate and mentor to children and adolescents. I feel that I will be an excellent role model for children, especially those in underserved communities, since I too grew up in an underserved area myself. I would like to return to my community or an underserved community where I feel that I am well prepared to fulfill the challenges and needs of my patients.
I am confident that I will benefit your residency program because I have learned how to work and interact well with patients, families, doctors, and my colleagues through my life experiences. I also will never forget my earliest impressions of the dedicated and kind doctors from the emergency room. This is the type of Doctor I will be for all my patients.
I am a University of State graduate with a Bachelors of Science in Physiology. I participated in an internship at State Medical Center in the operating room where I found that I enjoyed easing the anxieties of patients’ pre and post surgery. In addition, I worked with a paraplegic for one year who I cared for daily. My patient was extremely frustrated because he had to be entirely dependent on me for many daily functions. However, there was no greater fulfillment than to see him grow comfortable and trusting toward me because I not only cared for him medically, but I took the time to establish a strong bond. This experience helped me develop a great compassion and understanding of the difficulties patients have co-existing with their physical disabilities. My desire to launch a positive role in a patient’s recovery along with the long term interactions established through continual care, have been other factors that have sparked my further interest in pursuing Family Medicine.
The goal of improving my Spanish contributed to my decision to attend medical school at the University in Guadalajara, Mexico. I had the fortunate experience of working with Spanish speaking patients in a family practice clinic. I was able to follow the entire family history of many patients throughout three years. Being able to become an integral part of these patients’ lives is another crucial factor that causes me to seek family practice. During my last year of medical school, I participated in the pre-internship program at the Mexican Institute of Social Services which provided me with outstanding training. I enjoyed rotating through all of the various rotations; especially pediatric, obstetrics, dermatology, and geriatrics. Family practice is well suited for me because it encompasses a multitude of areas in medicine. I want to continually be faced with the challenges that family medicine offers such as diagnosing a wide-range of diseases from different specialties, instead of focusing on one particular disease or organ system.
I also enjoy working with the elderly and learned some of their fears when I took care of my most important patient yet, my mother. I took a semester off to care for my mother who was diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer. Although it was extremely difficult emotionally watching her suffer daily, I knew that I had done my best in caring for her. I learned that many elderly patients neglect routine medical care and are hesitant or afraid to seek medical attention. As a consequence, they endanger their health or lives. My experiences have helped me mature greatly and have made me realize the critical responsibility as a primary care provider to continually teach preventive care.
I am applying to your residency program in family medicine because it is a well rounded community based program with broad-based training and a high level of responsibility that will prepare me to practice in settings comprised of a diverse population. In the future, I see myself as training future medical students. In addition, I plan to serve as a health advocate and mentor to children and adolescents. I feel that I will be an excellent role model for children, especially those in underserved communities, since I too grew up in an underserved area myself. I would like to return to my community or an underserved community where I feel that I am well prepared to fulfill the challenges and needs of my patients.
I am confident that I will benefit your residency program because I have learned how to work and interact well with patients, families, doctors, and my colleagues through my life experiences. I also will never forget my earliest impressions of the dedicated and kind doctors from the emergency room. This is the type of Doctor I will be for all my patients.
Family Practice Personal Statement 1
‘’Did you hear about that huge earthquake in India?’’ asked one of my classmates who knew that I was from India. My jaw dropped and a hundred thoughts went through my head. There I was during my first year of medical school sitting anxiously about to take my first written anatomy exam when one of my classmates asked me this. I did not get a chance to listen to the news that morning, but there was a massive earthquake in the city where my family is from in India. This really hit a nerve. The anatomy test was the last thing on my mind at that point. Fortunately, later that night I found out all of my family was accounted for. That still didn’t put my mind at ease. The evening news showed the devastation the earthquake did to an already impoverished part of India. At that time, I felt more selfish than ever before. Here I was living this comfortable life in the U.S. and attending medical school with one of my biggest worries of the day being an anatomy test. I wanted to go to India and assist the injured, but I knew that my lack of medical training would not allow me to do that. Excluding this experience, I have always thought that it is a duty of mine to give back to the country where I am from. Being the first physician in my family and having this opportunity to give back to the place where my parents grew up has always been one of my major long term goals. Family practice will offer me the diverse knowledge base to treat many different types of ailments.
Attending an osteopathic medical school has offered me the opportunity to rotate through many months of family practice. When making my decision to enter this specialty, I asked myself what months during my clerkships I was happiest, which attending physicians I had the best interactions with, and what patient populations I liked the most. The answers to all these questions drew me to family practice. Although I formed meaningful relationships with the inpatient population during my internal medicine rotation and was able to acquire vital medical knowledge, I felt unfulfilled in regards to the doctor-patient interaction in that environment and really missed the continuity of care. In my family practice experience, there was an abundant amount of clinical knowledge to gain and I found myself attracted to the type of relationship my attending had with their patients. I was truly envious of the continuity of relationships that my attending had formed with so many of their patients. The ‘medical visit’ in the family practice clinic amazed me because of the amount of psychosocial issues that would be discussed. This required the family practice physician to go beyond the medical aspect of the visit and truly treat the person as a whole. It is much easier to have a patient be compliant and more honest about their health when the patient feels more at ease with their physician.
The public aid clinic on Big City’s Westside was a place where I further realized the importance of the family physician. My volunteer experience in that clinic reinforced the fact that not every patient has access to a separate pediatrician, gynecologist, or geriatric specialist. My love for educating patients on topics such as hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol and preventative medicine was easily fulfilled in this type of setting. Another one of my passions is to also treat children Family medicine offered me this opportunity. This is where I realized that I want part of my time to be involved with clinics that provide healthcare to the underserved in Big City. The great thing about practicing medicine in Big City is that there are so many well-established free medical clinics all over the city and suburbs that doctors can donate their time at. I am confident that the underserved areas of will have more than enough spots available for family practice physicians to donate their time.
The bottom line is that family practice is both exciting and versatile. When a family physician goes into work she does not know what to expect. She could have a day full of common colds, orthopedic issues, and newly diagnosed diabetics. One can take all these tasks and consider them overburdening or view them as challenges. I have always found it easy to adjust to a constantly changing environment During and after my training, I want to be the type of family physician that my loved ones would want not only as their doctor, but also as part of their family unit.
My determination, resilience, and self-confidence are foundations of my personality and character that will be part of me throughout my residency and when I am practicing as a family physician. My goal throughout this application process has to find a family practice residency program that plays a vital role in the community and a program that shares a passion for teaching, mentoring, and showing residents that family practice is not just a practice of medicine but also a practice of how to work with people. I look forward to starting my family practice residency at your institution with enthusiasm, a willingness to work hard, learn, teach and most importantly, to identify with my future patients so I can offer them the healthcare they deserve from a family physician.
Attending an osteopathic medical school has offered me the opportunity to rotate through many months of family practice. When making my decision to enter this specialty, I asked myself what months during my clerkships I was happiest, which attending physicians I had the best interactions with, and what patient populations I liked the most. The answers to all these questions drew me to family practice. Although I formed meaningful relationships with the inpatient population during my internal medicine rotation and was able to acquire vital medical knowledge, I felt unfulfilled in regards to the doctor-patient interaction in that environment and really missed the continuity of care. In my family practice experience, there was an abundant amount of clinical knowledge to gain and I found myself attracted to the type of relationship my attending had with their patients. I was truly envious of the continuity of relationships that my attending had formed with so many of their patients. The ‘medical visit’ in the family practice clinic amazed me because of the amount of psychosocial issues that would be discussed. This required the family practice physician to go beyond the medical aspect of the visit and truly treat the person as a whole. It is much easier to have a patient be compliant and more honest about their health when the patient feels more at ease with their physician.
The public aid clinic on Big City’s Westside was a place where I further realized the importance of the family physician. My volunteer experience in that clinic reinforced the fact that not every patient has access to a separate pediatrician, gynecologist, or geriatric specialist. My love for educating patients on topics such as hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol and preventative medicine was easily fulfilled in this type of setting. Another one of my passions is to also treat children Family medicine offered me this opportunity. This is where I realized that I want part of my time to be involved with clinics that provide healthcare to the underserved in Big City. The great thing about practicing medicine in Big City is that there are so many well-established free medical clinics all over the city and suburbs that doctors can donate their time at. I am confident that the underserved areas of will have more than enough spots available for family practice physicians to donate their time.
The bottom line is that family practice is both exciting and versatile. When a family physician goes into work she does not know what to expect. She could have a day full of common colds, orthopedic issues, and newly diagnosed diabetics. One can take all these tasks and consider them overburdening or view them as challenges. I have always found it easy to adjust to a constantly changing environment During and after my training, I want to be the type of family physician that my loved ones would want not only as their doctor, but also as part of their family unit.
My determination, resilience, and self-confidence are foundations of my personality and character that will be part of me throughout my residency and when I am practicing as a family physician. My goal throughout this application process has to find a family practice residency program that plays a vital role in the community and a program that shares a passion for teaching, mentoring, and showing residents that family practice is not just a practice of medicine but also a practice of how to work with people. I look forward to starting my family practice residency at your institution with enthusiasm, a willingness to work hard, learn, teach and most importantly, to identify with my future patients so I can offer them the healthcare they deserve from a family physician.
General Surgery Personal Statement 3
Footwork and balance are critical in martial arts for a solid foundation on defense and for a successful attack. I learned this competing on the regional and state level in Tae Kwon Do (TKD) tournaments: the athletes that were bigger and stronger who lacked balance quickly fell apart in the ring. My father started my training and also taught me the importance of hard work, discipline, and concentration in my sport and in my life. He worked every day of the week at two different jobs, and the lessons that I’ve learned from his example have been priceless. While I’m no longer fighting competitively, I’ve applied these principles throughout my life and in my early medical career. My foundations have been my wife, family, and close friends. They have given me support when I’ve been too busy to be with them and have also been a welcome diversion. I’ve spent many weekends visiting Kimberly and working on our new house, renovating it. My parents keep me grounded and remind me of my culture. In my time at UVA I have seen that the most successful physicians were compassionate and dedicated to their patients, but they also had great balance in their lives. I believe that in this respect I compare with them.
I love the discipline and the commitment of sports; it’s a lot like surgery. When I was training for TKD in high school, I often practiced alone and had to push myself to train while balancing a part time job life guarding and my active involvement with the Key Club, young republicans, and internship on the Hill with Senator John Warner. The demands pushed me to succeed, and I took second in the State championship in fighting and forms. I also received an invitation to practice at Colorado Springs and to compete on the national level. At William and Mary, I continued my TKD and also walked onto the varsity track team. This was a challenging time for me as I had to balance the rigors of a varsity sport, TKD, fraternity pledging, and my position as treasurer of Alpha Lambda Delta, a freshman honor society. Additionally, I participated intensely in intramural sports, winning IM football and weight lifting several years in a row. As my undergraduate career progressed, I focused more on my scholastics and remaining active in my fraternity as the philanthropy chairman. While athletics had formerly been my priority, it was now my form of meditation.
My interest in academics and research was nurtured during my 2 years before medical school, working in Dr. Antony Rosen’s lab at Hopkins. Studying the biochemical mechanisms of apoptosis and its effect on inflammation and immunity in systemic lupus erythematosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and scleroderma gave me insight into the power and elegance of research. This sparked my interest in academic medicine. I read medical journals constantly, and I feel that learning how to read critically was the most important skill that I developed there. While working in the lab along with medical students and PhD’s, I realized the importance of collaborative learning. Our policy in the lab was, ‘’do one, see one, teach one’ and because Dr. Rosen and I started the lab together I often taught the methodology of our system to the graduate and medical students. This sparked my interest in teaching. I took a graduate Biochemistry and Cell biology course to improve my understanding of the science, and this further fueled my desire to learn. By the end of my time there, I had been recognized in two papers and co-authored another, and I left with a passion to learn, the confidence to succeed, and the support of a good friend and mentor. I am returning in the winter to continue my research.
As a co-coordinator of the HIV/AIDS youth outreach program, I had the opportunity to speak to high school students about the temptation and dangers of unprotected sex. Connecting with the young adults and teaching them was the most satisfying experience of my pre-clinical years. During the third year, I discovered that I enjoyed talking to patients and learning about their lives and their illnesses. I learned the power of a kind word and a patient ear in the treatment of sick patients. I saw this on my surgical rotation and this reminded me of the reason that I went to medical school, compassion. It was this quality that drove me to work even harder for my patients.
I am looking forward to training in an academic general surgery program for several reasons. General surgery integrates commitment, physical ability, and medicine in a patient care environment that is both intense and extremely rewarding. The discipline also fosters teaching and mentorship. Furthermore, the importance of research in the assessment of surgical decision making and in innovating surgical technique appeals to me. I am optimistic that I will be able to contribute to a surgical training program in patient care, teaching, and research.
I love the discipline and the commitment of sports; it’s a lot like surgery. When I was training for TKD in high school, I often practiced alone and had to push myself to train while balancing a part time job life guarding and my active involvement with the Key Club, young republicans, and internship on the Hill with Senator John Warner. The demands pushed me to succeed, and I took second in the State championship in fighting and forms. I also received an invitation to practice at Colorado Springs and to compete on the national level. At William and Mary, I continued my TKD and also walked onto the varsity track team. This was a challenging time for me as I had to balance the rigors of a varsity sport, TKD, fraternity pledging, and my position as treasurer of Alpha Lambda Delta, a freshman honor society. Additionally, I participated intensely in intramural sports, winning IM football and weight lifting several years in a row. As my undergraduate career progressed, I focused more on my scholastics and remaining active in my fraternity as the philanthropy chairman. While athletics had formerly been my priority, it was now my form of meditation.
My interest in academics and research was nurtured during my 2 years before medical school, working in Dr. Antony Rosen’s lab at Hopkins. Studying the biochemical mechanisms of apoptosis and its effect on inflammation and immunity in systemic lupus erythematosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and scleroderma gave me insight into the power and elegance of research. This sparked my interest in academic medicine. I read medical journals constantly, and I feel that learning how to read critically was the most important skill that I developed there. While working in the lab along with medical students and PhD’s, I realized the importance of collaborative learning. Our policy in the lab was, ‘’do one, see one, teach one’ and because Dr. Rosen and I started the lab together I often taught the methodology of our system to the graduate and medical students. This sparked my interest in teaching. I took a graduate Biochemistry and Cell biology course to improve my understanding of the science, and this further fueled my desire to learn. By the end of my time there, I had been recognized in two papers and co-authored another, and I left with a passion to learn, the confidence to succeed, and the support of a good friend and mentor. I am returning in the winter to continue my research.
As a co-coordinator of the HIV/AIDS youth outreach program, I had the opportunity to speak to high school students about the temptation and dangers of unprotected sex. Connecting with the young adults and teaching them was the most satisfying experience of my pre-clinical years. During the third year, I discovered that I enjoyed talking to patients and learning about their lives and their illnesses. I learned the power of a kind word and a patient ear in the treatment of sick patients. I saw this on my surgical rotation and this reminded me of the reason that I went to medical school, compassion. It was this quality that drove me to work even harder for my patients.
I am looking forward to training in an academic general surgery program for several reasons. General surgery integrates commitment, physical ability, and medicine in a patient care environment that is both intense and extremely rewarding. The discipline also fosters teaching and mentorship. Furthermore, the importance of research in the assessment of surgical decision making and in innovating surgical technique appeals to me. I am optimistic that I will be able to contribute to a surgical training program in patient care, teaching, and research.
General Surgery Personal Statement 2
During my third-year surgery clerkship, a patient in the ICU was scheduled for a Whipple procedure. As an eager medical student interested in surgery, I inquired if I could scrub in. Unfortunately, since I was not involved in that patient's care, my request was denied. Disheartened, I accepted the decision. The next morning during rounds, I received an urgent page to report to OR 11. I donned a cap and mask and sprinted there. As I entered, I saw the attending, the Chief Resident, and an intern capped and gowned over a sterile field. I was shocked -- I had been summoned to the Whipple.
Over the next nine hours, my mind and body were stretched to their limits. Thoughts raced through my mind. Can I stay focused through the entire procedure? Do I really want to be a surgeon? Pain crept into every muscle, and my body hurt from contorting like a pretzel as I held the various retractors and tried to watch and understand the complex operation. I found myself captivated by the precision with which the attending maneuvered inside the patient's abdomen, a sea of red, yellow and green to me. I longed to have the ability the Chief Resident and attending so masterfully exhibited. This experience cemented my aspiration to become a surgeon.
What truly draws me to surgery is its hands-on nature. The opportunity to work with my hands to fix a problem is what drove me to pursue a surgical residency. I feel most satisfied when I am in the OR and being in the OR gives me a mix of adrenaline and excitement. I simply cannot see myself doing anything else.
My medical career began differently than most aspiring physicians. It started at home in Big City, traveled through International University in Budapest, and ended at the University of United States Medical School. When I entered International University, like most American students I had never taken an oral examination. All that changed once I got to Budapest. Being examined by a world-renowned professor has a way of making even the most dedicated students uneasy. Armed with my arsenal of facts and figures, I went into battle praying to survive the onslaught of questions. After four years of these nerve-racking oral exams, I feel uniquely prepared to tackle the hurdles that await me during residency.
In September of 2001, I transferred to the University of United States to augment my strong pre-clinical training with clinical experience in the U.S. During my clerkships, each new patient brought me newfound confidence, and my proficiency grew. By the time I started my general surgery clerkship; I could perform a focused history and physical without hesitation and could formulate a working list of differential diagnoses. I also recognized the necessity for dependability in the practice of surgery, something I have strived to develop during my academic career.
Indeed, the value I see in establishing relationships with those around me was forged in part through my education and travels, which have shown me the lives, languages, and cultures of people different from those of the average American. From the spirited late night discussions with my friend Joe from Toronto, to the monthly pot luck dinners my Middle-Eastern friends invited me to, I now have friends all over the world, in places as far away as Norway, Israel, Greece, and Kenya. Perhaps partially because I left Budapest having learned so much from those around me, I have sought to make teaching a central part of my life.
I plan to excel during my residency as both a student and a teacher. As an anatomy and physiology tutor during my second year at Sumy medical school, I saw first-hand how a teacher who spends a extra time can make a difference. The look of clarity and understanding that washes over a student's face when suddenly grasping a difficult concept is something I hope to reproduce many times in the future.
I currently plan on a career as a general surgeon, but Trauma/Critical Care and Cardio-Thoracic surgery are two areas I would like to explore, with the possibility of advanced training following residency. As a medical student, my experiences in surgery were the most rewarding, and the precision and technical expertise that a surgeon requires are traits that I strive to master. My selection of surgery is not simply a realization of what I find to be intellectually challenging, but a declaration of the role I want to play as a physician. This is how I want to connect with patients. My goal in pursuing a surgical residency is to be both a skilled surgeon who excels in his field, and an educator who has the honor of participating in the development of future generations of aspiring surgeons.
Over the next nine hours, my mind and body were stretched to their limits. Thoughts raced through my mind. Can I stay focused through the entire procedure? Do I really want to be a surgeon? Pain crept into every muscle, and my body hurt from contorting like a pretzel as I held the various retractors and tried to watch and understand the complex operation. I found myself captivated by the precision with which the attending maneuvered inside the patient's abdomen, a sea of red, yellow and green to me. I longed to have the ability the Chief Resident and attending so masterfully exhibited. This experience cemented my aspiration to become a surgeon.
What truly draws me to surgery is its hands-on nature. The opportunity to work with my hands to fix a problem is what drove me to pursue a surgical residency. I feel most satisfied when I am in the OR and being in the OR gives me a mix of adrenaline and excitement. I simply cannot see myself doing anything else.
My medical career began differently than most aspiring physicians. It started at home in Big City, traveled through International University in Budapest, and ended at the University of United States Medical School. When I entered International University, like most American students I had never taken an oral examination. All that changed once I got to Budapest. Being examined by a world-renowned professor has a way of making even the most dedicated students uneasy. Armed with my arsenal of facts and figures, I went into battle praying to survive the onslaught of questions. After four years of these nerve-racking oral exams, I feel uniquely prepared to tackle the hurdles that await me during residency.
In September of 2001, I transferred to the University of United States to augment my strong pre-clinical training with clinical experience in the U.S. During my clerkships, each new patient brought me newfound confidence, and my proficiency grew. By the time I started my general surgery clerkship; I could perform a focused history and physical without hesitation and could formulate a working list of differential diagnoses. I also recognized the necessity for dependability in the practice of surgery, something I have strived to develop during my academic career.
Indeed, the value I see in establishing relationships with those around me was forged in part through my education and travels, which have shown me the lives, languages, and cultures of people different from those of the average American. From the spirited late night discussions with my friend Joe from Toronto, to the monthly pot luck dinners my Middle-Eastern friends invited me to, I now have friends all over the world, in places as far away as Norway, Israel, Greece, and Kenya. Perhaps partially because I left Budapest having learned so much from those around me, I have sought to make teaching a central part of my life.
I plan to excel during my residency as both a student and a teacher. As an anatomy and physiology tutor during my second year at Sumy medical school, I saw first-hand how a teacher who spends a extra time can make a difference. The look of clarity and understanding that washes over a student's face when suddenly grasping a difficult concept is something I hope to reproduce many times in the future.
I currently plan on a career as a general surgeon, but Trauma/Critical Care and Cardio-Thoracic surgery are two areas I would like to explore, with the possibility of advanced training following residency. As a medical student, my experiences in surgery were the most rewarding, and the precision and technical expertise that a surgeon requires are traits that I strive to master. My selection of surgery is not simply a realization of what I find to be intellectually challenging, but a declaration of the role I want to play as a physician. This is how I want to connect with patients. My goal in pursuing a surgical residency is to be both a skilled surgeon who excels in his field, and an educator who has the honor of participating in the development of future generations of aspiring surgeons.
General Surgery Personal Statement 1
My love for surgery blossomed during medical school. Although didactics gave me a clearer picture of the scope and depth of the field, it was the clinical rotations that revealed the full beauty of surgery to me. As a lover of the arts I greatly admired the way surgery balanced art with science more than any other field of medicine. The first time I assisted in a plastic surgery procedure, I was thoroughly impressed by the way the surgeon expertly and precisely used skin flaps to reconstruct the burned face of a twelve-year-old boy. More than just aesthetics, it was the new confidence the surgery brought to the boy that made an impression on me. I marveled at how quick and dramatic the improvements in our patients were. A young man bent over in pain from acute appendicitis was pain-free just a few hours after being rushed to the hospital. A numb, cold and ashen forearm was miraculously saved by microsurgery. These experiences further reinforced my love for the field. But if I had to mark the event that made me certain that surgery was for me, it would have to be my first minor operation.
The procedure was merely an excision of a sebaceous cyst. It was by no means a big deal, but the unexplainable rush that I got from performing the procedure confirmed that I truly loved surgery. I was thrilled by the fact that I could directly and physically contribute to the health of my patient. It was a heady experience. But as with most things I love, I opted to view the difficulties as challenges, and have thus remained steadfast in my choice of specialty.
Although I believe that great surgeons are trained, not born, I also believe that there are basic skills one must possess to become an effective surgeon. I have developed my finger dexterity by starting to play the piano at the age of six and by dabbling in various crafts. There is also the matter of having a sharp eye and a quick mind, both of which I have exercised in my love for art and puzzles. I set high standards for myself and am most critical of my own work. Aside from possessing the qualities required of an aspiring surgeon, I believe that I have the necessary measure of desire to become not just a good surgeon, but an excellent one. I have weathered many storms in my life, including the trials of medical school and the untimely death of my father. I believe that I have matured enough emotionally and professional to be able to handle the challenges of surgery.
My aspirations can only be realized by participating whole-heartedly in the best training program possible. I am looking for a residency program that will give structure and discipline to my advancement in the field. A wide variety and large number of cases would be optimal in honing the skills I will acquire. Research would complement the clinical training and give me the opportunity to contribute to the science of surgery. I am eager to find a stimulating environment where residents support one another and attending physicians are willing to share their vast wealth of knowledge. A training program that will allow me to pursue my other interests, such as photography, singing, reading and enjoying the outdoors, would be more than ideal.
Ten years from now, I envision myself to be a world-class plastic surgeon practicing in my home country, sub specializing in breast and burn reconstruction. These fields have not been given much attention yet in the Philippines and I intend to be among the pioneers, both as a surgeon and as a teacher. I also mean to become a member of the faculty of the University of the Philippines. My devotion to the field cannot be complete until I share my love for it with the next generation of doctors. As with most surgeons, my love affair with surgery is a lifelong commitment, one that I am eager to begin and cultivate at your institution.
The procedure was merely an excision of a sebaceous cyst. It was by no means a big deal, but the unexplainable rush that I got from performing the procedure confirmed that I truly loved surgery. I was thrilled by the fact that I could directly and physically contribute to the health of my patient. It was a heady experience. But as with most things I love, I opted to view the difficulties as challenges, and have thus remained steadfast in my choice of specialty.
Although I believe that great surgeons are trained, not born, I also believe that there are basic skills one must possess to become an effective surgeon. I have developed my finger dexterity by starting to play the piano at the age of six and by dabbling in various crafts. There is also the matter of having a sharp eye and a quick mind, both of which I have exercised in my love for art and puzzles. I set high standards for myself and am most critical of my own work. Aside from possessing the qualities required of an aspiring surgeon, I believe that I have the necessary measure of desire to become not just a good surgeon, but an excellent one. I have weathered many storms in my life, including the trials of medical school and the untimely death of my father. I believe that I have matured enough emotionally and professional to be able to handle the challenges of surgery.
My aspirations can only be realized by participating whole-heartedly in the best training program possible. I am looking for a residency program that will give structure and discipline to my advancement in the field. A wide variety and large number of cases would be optimal in honing the skills I will acquire. Research would complement the clinical training and give me the opportunity to contribute to the science of surgery. I am eager to find a stimulating environment where residents support one another and attending physicians are willing to share their vast wealth of knowledge. A training program that will allow me to pursue my other interests, such as photography, singing, reading and enjoying the outdoors, would be more than ideal.
Ten years from now, I envision myself to be a world-class plastic surgeon practicing in my home country, sub specializing in breast and burn reconstruction. These fields have not been given much attention yet in the Philippines and I intend to be among the pioneers, both as a surgeon and as a teacher. I also mean to become a member of the faculty of the University of the Philippines. My devotion to the field cannot be complete until I share my love for it with the next generation of doctors. As with most surgeons, my love affair with surgery is a lifelong commitment, one that I am eager to begin and cultivate at your institution.
Wednesday 1 December 2010
Medicine/Pediatrics Personal Statement 1
As a child and young adult, when I envisioned myself as a physician, I invariably pictured myself in a primary care field. During my medical education, this future goal was challenged several times as there is such a vast number of interesting medical specialties from which to choose. Nonetheless, my thoughts and aspirations always returned to a career in primary care. I greatly enjoyed all the rotations during my third year of medical school. However, I found my rotations in both pediatrics and internal medicine particularly challenging and rewarding. While on floor services in internal medicine and pediatrics, I was challenged intellectually by the diagnosis and treatment of acute medical problems. Also, I experienced much gratification from the management of chronic medical conditions. Furthermore, during my rotations in ambulatory pediatrics and internal medicine, I found a great deal of satisfaction and fulfillment in the treatment of medical complaints and education of patients regarding health maintenance issues. For these reasons and several others, I feel a combined residency in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics is the correct choice for me.
I hope to obtain an Internal Medicine/Pediatrics residency position in an academic center that will provide me with a strong basis from which to practice medicine. After the completion of my residency, I intend to practice both internal medicine and pediatrics in either an academic setting or the private sector.
Growing up, I spent most of my childhood and adolescence living on a large farm in southwest Missouri. It was there that I learned a great deal about hard work, commitment and the importance of a strong loving family. These values continue to be very important to me. I believe they manifest themselves in both my family life and my work ethic.
During my residency training, I plan to spend the majority of my free time with my husband and daughter. A few of the activities and hobbies that my family and I are fond of are gardening, landscaping, home improvement, computers, playing basketball and rollerblading. With a portion of my remaining free time, I plan to continue to be active in community service as this has always been a vital part of my life. Throughout the first two years of medical school I was very active in the Child Abuse Prevention Task Force which educates children about the detection and prevention of child sexual abuse. Presently, I am coordinating a project to transfer child immunization records from medical charts to computer files. These files will then be linked via modem with other public and private health care providers in the St. Louis metropolitan area. This will increase the ease of accurately tracking patients' immunization history and secondarily increase the percentage of children who are up to date in their immunizations.
In closing, I am excited about starting the training for career which I have chosen. I hope my enthusiasm and dedication will be an asset to this profession.
I hope to obtain an Internal Medicine/Pediatrics residency position in an academic center that will provide me with a strong basis from which to practice medicine. After the completion of my residency, I intend to practice both internal medicine and pediatrics in either an academic setting or the private sector.
Growing up, I spent most of my childhood and adolescence living on a large farm in southwest Missouri. It was there that I learned a great deal about hard work, commitment and the importance of a strong loving family. These values continue to be very important to me. I believe they manifest themselves in both my family life and my work ethic.
During my residency training, I plan to spend the majority of my free time with my husband and daughter. A few of the activities and hobbies that my family and I are fond of are gardening, landscaping, home improvement, computers, playing basketball and rollerblading. With a portion of my remaining free time, I plan to continue to be active in community service as this has always been a vital part of my life. Throughout the first two years of medical school I was very active in the Child Abuse Prevention Task Force which educates children about the detection and prevention of child sexual abuse. Presently, I am coordinating a project to transfer child immunization records from medical charts to computer files. These files will then be linked via modem with other public and private health care providers in the St. Louis metropolitan area. This will increase the ease of accurately tracking patients' immunization history and secondarily increase the percentage of children who are up to date in their immunizations.
In closing, I am excited about starting the training for career which I have chosen. I hope my enthusiasm and dedication will be an asset to this profession.
Neurology Personal Statement
The neurological sciences have intrigued and challenged me throughout medical school. My interest has evolved since the first time I saw a human brain in gross anatomy and reflected on the structure which had allowed my cadaver to move, to feel, to speak, to learn, and to decide. From that time on, I pursued the integration of my curiosity with a search to understand the anatomical pathways and the physiological deviations underlying the diverse pathology of the human nervous system and its profound effects on human faculty and function.
In the neuroscience coursework of the first and second years of medical school, in which I received honors, I applied myself diligently to gaining a foundation with which to localize neurological lesions and to formulate differential diagnoses. I selected electives pertaining to neurology whenever possible, including accompanying a neurosurgeon into the operating room; discussions of glutamate toxicity and potential treatments of acute brain injury; and an elective in the neurological intensive care unit.
During my third year, I participated in the neurosurgery rotation and developed insight into the operability of nervous system pathology. I earned honors in the surgery rotation through assiduous devotion to patient care and desire to understand treatment methodology in the surgical realm. The long awaited fourth year neurology rotation, in which I also received honors, offered me ample opportunity to review neuroanatomy and to expand my knowledge base of neurological disease, as well as an introduction to the intricacies of diagnosis and direct patient care.
I have always desired a lifelong career in a medical field of diagnostic and intellectual challenges, which I believe would be fulfilled in Neurology. The primary focus of my career goals is an active clinical practice. I desire training at a highly reputable academic facility with an accomplished faculty dedicated to education. In addition, I seek exposure to neurological research so that I may not only learn about existing knowledge, but that I may contribute to the advancement of diagnostic ability and treatment of neurologic disease. Following residency, I plan to pursue clinical fellowship training and I wish to leave my future options open to academic medicine, should I decide to pursue further research or to participate in the educational process of Neurology residency programs.
Neurology, as a career, encompasses many aspects which I perceive to contribute to the training of a dedicated and competent physician. The treatment of potentially incurable and debilitating disease requires the utmost in professional compassion and an ever-expanding knowledge of and respect for pathology of the human nervous system.
In the neuroscience coursework of the first and second years of medical school, in which I received honors, I applied myself diligently to gaining a foundation with which to localize neurological lesions and to formulate differential diagnoses. I selected electives pertaining to neurology whenever possible, including accompanying a neurosurgeon into the operating room; discussions of glutamate toxicity and potential treatments of acute brain injury; and an elective in the neurological intensive care unit.
During my third year, I participated in the neurosurgery rotation and developed insight into the operability of nervous system pathology. I earned honors in the surgery rotation through assiduous devotion to patient care and desire to understand treatment methodology in the surgical realm. The long awaited fourth year neurology rotation, in which I also received honors, offered me ample opportunity to review neuroanatomy and to expand my knowledge base of neurological disease, as well as an introduction to the intricacies of diagnosis and direct patient care.
I have always desired a lifelong career in a medical field of diagnostic and intellectual challenges, which I believe would be fulfilled in Neurology. The primary focus of my career goals is an active clinical practice. I desire training at a highly reputable academic facility with an accomplished faculty dedicated to education. In addition, I seek exposure to neurological research so that I may not only learn about existing knowledge, but that I may contribute to the advancement of diagnostic ability and treatment of neurologic disease. Following residency, I plan to pursue clinical fellowship training and I wish to leave my future options open to academic medicine, should I decide to pursue further research or to participate in the educational process of Neurology residency programs.
Neurology, as a career, encompasses many aspects which I perceive to contribute to the training of a dedicated and competent physician. The treatment of potentially incurable and debilitating disease requires the utmost in professional compassion and an ever-expanding knowledge of and respect for pathology of the human nervous system.
Occupational Medicine Personal Statement
I intend to pursue a career in Occupational and Environmental Medicine, and believe that training in General Internal Medicine will provide me with a good start in developing the clinical skills necessary to fulfill this goal.
I seek a comprehensive program where I will have broad exposure to a multitude of adult illnesses prevalent in today's society. A major medical center with many inpatient admissions, a variety of outpatient clinics, advanced technology in intensive care units, and a broad and varied population base will provide the breadth of experiences that will be invaluable in my training as a physician. I look forward to extensive teaching by attending physicians where I can tap into the wisdom and knowledge of those who have dedicated themselves to the practice of the art of medicine. Furthermore, I seek a program that has some flexibility in allowing residents to pursue their own areas of special interests in clinical medicine.
Although all facets of medicine are fascinating, it is Occupational and Environmental Medicine which I find most interesting and challenging. It is one of a few fields of medicine that allows for almost limitless possibilities in pursuing a specialized interest after the completion of a residency training program. From primary care of patients in clinical occupational medicine, to community medicine and epidemiology, industrial toxicology, health care organization and administration, academic and research pursuits in preventive medicine, corporate occupational medicine and occupational medicine as it relates to the government and the law - the possibilities seem endless.
During a six week occupational medicine elective in my fourth year of medical school, I have been exposed to many facets of this field. I worked in a variety of clinics where occupational injuries (some traumatic) were first seen and evaluated. I have been in field site rotations at a major Chrysler assembly plant, Anheuser-Busch Brewery, McDonnell-Douglas Aerospace, two Monsanto chemical plants and at a Superfund clean-up site. Furthermore, I have had the privilege of working with an occupational toxicologist and a forensic toxicologist. I have learned the importance of ergonomic design of the workplace in order to prevent injuries, the importance of wearing appropriate personal protective equipment to protect against inhaled agents and other chemical toxins, industrial hygiene, work-up of post-exposure patients and the toxic effects of a variety of chemical agents. I have found these experiences very exciting and fascinating.
The field of Occupational Medicine that I find the most stimulating is environmental toxicology. This interest most likely stems from my undergraduate background in biochemistry. However, I also have a great interest in primary preventive medicine and I thoroughly enjoy the patient contact that is present in clinical occupational medicine. I have witnessed first-hand the doctor-patient interaction of a particular physician who, through his demeanor, positive reinforcement and genuine support has helped the employees of a chemical plant lose weight, start to exercise and quit smoking and drinking. He did this by taking the necessary time and by showing that he genuinely cared for the well-being of the employees. Upon witnessing this interaction on many occasions, I promised myself that this is the type of nurturing physician that I want to be.
I was raised in the USSR by my grandparents while both of my parents attended college. My grandmother, whom I consider to be the most benevolent and selfless individual, instilled in me a set of values characterized by honesty, humility, hard work and a sense of altruism. Later, when my family immigrated to the US in 1979, my parents were my role models as they tried their hardest to make a new life both for themselves and me in a new country. I saw that anything was possible to achieve with perseverance and a strong work ethic. When I was 18 years of age, and leaving home to go to college, both of my parents accepted a job for the US Dept. of Defense, in Germany. They have been there ever since. Therefore, during my undergraduate and medical school years I developed a strong sense of individualism and self-reliance. These qualities along with honesty and perseverance are my strongest traits. They have helped me thus far and will help me in my future endeavors as a physician.
I have been to Europe many times to visit my parents. I saw Berlin months after the Wall came down; I saw Prague right after the fall of Communism. Travel to foreign lands is a great passion of mine. I have been to countless West-European countries and have witnessed the multitudes of lifestyles and beliefs present there. I am a cosmopolitan individual, yet circumspect and conservative in nature. Another love of mine is the outdoors, with snow skiing and other winter sports being my favorite activities. I believe in protecting the natural resources and the endless natural beauty of this country. I hope to incorporate my interest in Occupational and Environmental Medicine with my love for the outdoors. This will lead to complete personal fulfillment for me.
I seek a comprehensive program where I will have broad exposure to a multitude of adult illnesses prevalent in today's society. A major medical center with many inpatient admissions, a variety of outpatient clinics, advanced technology in intensive care units, and a broad and varied population base will provide the breadth of experiences that will be invaluable in my training as a physician. I look forward to extensive teaching by attending physicians where I can tap into the wisdom and knowledge of those who have dedicated themselves to the practice of the art of medicine. Furthermore, I seek a program that has some flexibility in allowing residents to pursue their own areas of special interests in clinical medicine.
Although all facets of medicine are fascinating, it is Occupational and Environmental Medicine which I find most interesting and challenging. It is one of a few fields of medicine that allows for almost limitless possibilities in pursuing a specialized interest after the completion of a residency training program. From primary care of patients in clinical occupational medicine, to community medicine and epidemiology, industrial toxicology, health care organization and administration, academic and research pursuits in preventive medicine, corporate occupational medicine and occupational medicine as it relates to the government and the law - the possibilities seem endless.
During a six week occupational medicine elective in my fourth year of medical school, I have been exposed to many facets of this field. I worked in a variety of clinics where occupational injuries (some traumatic) were first seen and evaluated. I have been in field site rotations at a major Chrysler assembly plant, Anheuser-Busch Brewery, McDonnell-Douglas Aerospace, two Monsanto chemical plants and at a Superfund clean-up site. Furthermore, I have had the privilege of working with an occupational toxicologist and a forensic toxicologist. I have learned the importance of ergonomic design of the workplace in order to prevent injuries, the importance of wearing appropriate personal protective equipment to protect against inhaled agents and other chemical toxins, industrial hygiene, work-up of post-exposure patients and the toxic effects of a variety of chemical agents. I have found these experiences very exciting and fascinating.
The field of Occupational Medicine that I find the most stimulating is environmental toxicology. This interest most likely stems from my undergraduate background in biochemistry. However, I also have a great interest in primary preventive medicine and I thoroughly enjoy the patient contact that is present in clinical occupational medicine. I have witnessed first-hand the doctor-patient interaction of a particular physician who, through his demeanor, positive reinforcement and genuine support has helped the employees of a chemical plant lose weight, start to exercise and quit smoking and drinking. He did this by taking the necessary time and by showing that he genuinely cared for the well-being of the employees. Upon witnessing this interaction on many occasions, I promised myself that this is the type of nurturing physician that I want to be.
I was raised in the USSR by my grandparents while both of my parents attended college. My grandmother, whom I consider to be the most benevolent and selfless individual, instilled in me a set of values characterized by honesty, humility, hard work and a sense of altruism. Later, when my family immigrated to the US in 1979, my parents were my role models as they tried their hardest to make a new life both for themselves and me in a new country. I saw that anything was possible to achieve with perseverance and a strong work ethic. When I was 18 years of age, and leaving home to go to college, both of my parents accepted a job for the US Dept. of Defense, in Germany. They have been there ever since. Therefore, during my undergraduate and medical school years I developed a strong sense of individualism and self-reliance. These qualities along with honesty and perseverance are my strongest traits. They have helped me thus far and will help me in my future endeavors as a physician.
I have been to Europe many times to visit my parents. I saw Berlin months after the Wall came down; I saw Prague right after the fall of Communism. Travel to foreign lands is a great passion of mine. I have been to countless West-European countries and have witnessed the multitudes of lifestyles and beliefs present there. I am a cosmopolitan individual, yet circumspect and conservative in nature. Another love of mine is the outdoors, with snow skiing and other winter sports being my favorite activities. I believe in protecting the natural resources and the endless natural beauty of this country. I hope to incorporate my interest in Occupational and Environmental Medicine with my love for the outdoors. This will lead to complete personal fulfillment for me.
Radiation Oncology Personal Statement
Please accept this letter as part of my application to the Radiation Oncology Program at _________. _________ has a strong academic and research program and state of the art treatment facilities. Your program would provide excellent opportunity to continue my training. Please, find that my professional and academic experiences provide me with the qualifications and skills necessary to excel in a demanding residency program of Radiation Oncology.
Through my academic experiences, I have developed a strong interest and firm commitment to scientific research and posses an in-depth knowledge of medicine, physics, and biophysics. I have successfully completed a Master of Science degree (Physics) from _______ and a Bachelor of Science First Class Honors Degree in Physics from ________. I have been awarded a number of academic awards including the NSERC- PGS-A Scholarship in support of my M.Sc. research. As well, I am the first author of two publications in scientific journals.
While attending medical school, I continued to work with _________, reporting directly to the president, as a Project Manager and Research Physicist. _______ is highly focused, science based engineering firm whose business is the creation of Intelligent, active acoustic systems for a range of specialized applications. These applications encompass container less materials processing in microgravity conditions to very high-precision profiling of benthic seabed and manmade objects. In conjunction with completing my Master of Science experimental research thesis at ________, I was employed as a biophysics consultant at ___________, a biotechnology company based in _______, where I was directly involved in proof of concept studies investigating the use of ozone as a sterilizing agent for human blood and blood products. While attending graduate and undergraduate programs, at ________ and _________, I have held the positions of Teacher Assistant and Laboratory Instructor and been a member of a number of societies. From these experiences, I have developed strong research and problem solving skills. These experiences have afforded me the opportunity to develop excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
My original interest in Radiation Oncology as a career choice stems from my exposure during my graduate degree at _________. As part of Master of Science degree, I completed two courses in Radiation Biophysics at the graduate level. At _________ I worked under the supervision of Dr. ________whose research interest include hyperthermia and heat shock, heat shock proteins, membrane and protein biophysics. Specific research projects included the study of the mechanism of protection and repair of thermo labile proteins in response to heat and other stresses. Temperatures in the range used for cancer therapy were being employed.
I have chosen Radiation Oncology as a career choice because: 1) I see this particular area of medicine as opportunity to combine my background in medicine and physics, 2) it is a specialty with significant research potential and opportunity, 3) the specialty has a unique patient population, who is rewarding to work with and play an active role in their treatment, 4) the specialty combines an attractive combination of technical skills in medical procedures, and radiation planning / therapy with patient interaction in the out-patient clinic setting.
I have a strong interest in Radiation Oncology, I have completed a 3 week elective at _________ in Radiation Oncology, working with Dr. ________ . During this period I had opportunity to work with seven members of the Radiation Oncology staff gaining a wide exposure to the treatment of common tumor sites. In addition, I gained further exposure during clerkship as part of my Internal Medicine rotation I completed a one-month rotation on the Hematology Service.
My future career goals include a clinical practice with a significant research component.
I have numerous interest and hobbies outside of medicine. These include a wide-variety of outdoor activities, including hiking and snow shoeing. I am the proud owner of a demanding 4-year-old Siberian Husky. I enjoy playing ice hockey with friends and colleagues on a regular basis. As well, I have continued to play in a senior (under 35) recreational hockey league for the pass 4 years. In the past, I have played ice hockey at the level of AAA midget and Junior B. I enjoy mountain biking as well as staying fit with weight lighting. I have a passion for reading and book collecting.
My friends and colleagues would describe me as having a quiet, clam personality, with a relaxed style.
As my experience demonstrates I am a hard working, intelligent and an energetic individual, with the ability to take the initiative with new projects, to work constructively with others and to handle multiple demanding tasks. I would make a positive contribution to the residency program while working to maintain its high level of achievement.
Through my academic experiences, I have developed a strong interest and firm commitment to scientific research and posses an in-depth knowledge of medicine, physics, and biophysics. I have successfully completed a Master of Science degree (Physics) from _______ and a Bachelor of Science First Class Honors Degree in Physics from ________. I have been awarded a number of academic awards including the NSERC- PGS-A Scholarship in support of my M.Sc. research. As well, I am the first author of two publications in scientific journals.
While attending medical school, I continued to work with _________, reporting directly to the president, as a Project Manager and Research Physicist. _______ is highly focused, science based engineering firm whose business is the creation of Intelligent, active acoustic systems for a range of specialized applications. These applications encompass container less materials processing in microgravity conditions to very high-precision profiling of benthic seabed and manmade objects. In conjunction with completing my Master of Science experimental research thesis at ________, I was employed as a biophysics consultant at ___________, a biotechnology company based in _______, where I was directly involved in proof of concept studies investigating the use of ozone as a sterilizing agent for human blood and blood products. While attending graduate and undergraduate programs, at ________ and _________, I have held the positions of Teacher Assistant and Laboratory Instructor and been a member of a number of societies. From these experiences, I have developed strong research and problem solving skills. These experiences have afforded me the opportunity to develop excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
My original interest in Radiation Oncology as a career choice stems from my exposure during my graduate degree at _________. As part of Master of Science degree, I completed two courses in Radiation Biophysics at the graduate level. At _________ I worked under the supervision of Dr. ________whose research interest include hyperthermia and heat shock, heat shock proteins, membrane and protein biophysics. Specific research projects included the study of the mechanism of protection and repair of thermo labile proteins in response to heat and other stresses. Temperatures in the range used for cancer therapy were being employed.
I have chosen Radiation Oncology as a career choice because: 1) I see this particular area of medicine as opportunity to combine my background in medicine and physics, 2) it is a specialty with significant research potential and opportunity, 3) the specialty has a unique patient population, who is rewarding to work with and play an active role in their treatment, 4) the specialty combines an attractive combination of technical skills in medical procedures, and radiation planning / therapy with patient interaction in the out-patient clinic setting.
I have a strong interest in Radiation Oncology, I have completed a 3 week elective at _________ in Radiation Oncology, working with Dr. ________ . During this period I had opportunity to work with seven members of the Radiation Oncology staff gaining a wide exposure to the treatment of common tumor sites. In addition, I gained further exposure during clerkship as part of my Internal Medicine rotation I completed a one-month rotation on the Hematology Service.
My future career goals include a clinical practice with a significant research component.
I have numerous interest and hobbies outside of medicine. These include a wide-variety of outdoor activities, including hiking and snow shoeing. I am the proud owner of a demanding 4-year-old Siberian Husky. I enjoy playing ice hockey with friends and colleagues on a regular basis. As well, I have continued to play in a senior (under 35) recreational hockey league for the pass 4 years. In the past, I have played ice hockey at the level of AAA midget and Junior B. I enjoy mountain biking as well as staying fit with weight lighting. I have a passion for reading and book collecting.
My friends and colleagues would describe me as having a quiet, clam personality, with a relaxed style.
As my experience demonstrates I am a hard working, intelligent and an energetic individual, with the ability to take the initiative with new projects, to work constructively with others and to handle multiple demanding tasks. I would make a positive contribution to the residency program while working to maintain its high level of achievement.
Radiology Personal Statement 3
From an early age, I was exposed to medicine through my father, a radiologist, and as I grew, the influence of his career naturally and inevitably tailored my interest. It has been my own desire, however, that has compelled me to pursue a career in medicine. The summer after my sophomore year in high school, my family took a trip to our native town in India. For two months, I volunteered at the Charity Foundation in India, and the experiences I had their resonated deeply in me, changing my perspectives forever. More than my duties, the simple daily exposure transformed me permanently. These experiences with the Charity Organization and Mother Teresa herself showed me medicine in a light I might not have seen back home in Texas or elsewhere, gave me a new understanding to a physician’s role in society, and set forth my pursuit for a career in medicine.
After my sophomore year in college, I decided to study abroad in Europe for a year. My ongoing interest in medicine, coupled with a strong desire for a new environment and new challenges, led me to discover a 6-year M.D. program at the University in Hungary. Although I had the option of returning home after the 1st year, my first year in Debrecen had transformed me tremendously. My strong academic performance, vast exposure to different cultures, viewpoints, and ways of life convinced me to make one of the most crucial decisions of my life. I decided to continue my studies in Hungary. The extensive basic science curriculum fueled me to develop a strong discipline, work ethic, and assertiveness towards my goals. In retrospect, my decision in going to Hungary for medical school is the basis for why I became not only an arduous medical student but, more deeply, a person of broader views, cultural awareness, and accelerated maturity.
Throughout my years outside the U.S. to my clinical rotations in the U.S., I’ve developed an admiration for a radiologist’s role. Regardless of specialty, the radiologist’s task provided diagnosis in the medically ill, the young child or infant, the patient with mental status changes, and of course, the surgical candidate. Whether it was a standard X-ray, CT, Ultrasound, or MRI, the detailed images revealed to me secrets undetectable otherwise. The unique technology involved, and the behind-the-scenes work of the radiologist were some of the qualities that appealed to me in ways that no other specialty ever had before. Radiology gave me the exposure to the entire potpourri of medical specialties, therefore, allowing continuing diversity but from a specialized viewpoint.
After I had completed my fourth year radiology course in Hungary, my commitment was solid and without question. Today, radiology is a very challenging and exciting field that is rapidly advancing both in its technical capabilities and diagnostic utility. The radiologist is frequently at the center of a patient's care, often the first to pick up on a patient's illness, and frequently is the first step in initiating a cure. This is what I ultimately want to base my career upon. Nothing appeals to me more than to be able to integrate a patient's history and physical findings with the radiological manifestations of the disease to arrive at the correct diagnosis, thus being at the center of the decision matrix.
As I approached the end of my fourth year, I realized the importance of a solid clinical experience in the U.S. prior to starting my residency. My medical school had no clinical affiliations in the U.S., and setting up my own core clerkships became a daunting task. After my USMLE-1, I transferred to University of The Islands to give myself the opportunity to come straight to the U.S. and begin nearly two years of clinical clerkships. Having taken this opportunity to come home was a crucial step for me to begin a constructive pathway to my desired residency. Having finished all my core clerkships in U.S. teaching hospitals to this point, I can undoubtedly say that the clinical experience was worthwhile. As I begin my radiology electives in my final months of school, I will further bolster my commitment to the field and work diligently with a radiology department. With each elective rotation in radiology, I hope to lay the foundation for a path that will ultimately lead me to a diagnostic radiology residency position.
To this point, my educational pathway may seem unorthodox. However, I feel deeply that each and every one of my experiences has served to strengthen my commitment to medicine and toward a career in radiology. From experiences so far, I believe interpersonal skills are essential for a successful radiologist. Despite limited patient contact, interaction with other physicians and staff members occur on a daily basis. Throughout my life, excellent interpersonal skills, a relentless curiosity for answers, and a strong work ethic have been my fundamental strengths. Throughout my education, I’ve come to learn that I am quite visual in both my approach to learning and in my everyday tasks. The field of radiology allows me to take advantage of these abilities. With such abilities, and an intense desire to acquire the necessary knowledge and skill, I believe I possess the attributes and the commitment to become a competent radiologist.
After my sophomore year in college, I decided to study abroad in Europe for a year. My ongoing interest in medicine, coupled with a strong desire for a new environment and new challenges, led me to discover a 6-year M.D. program at the University in Hungary. Although I had the option of returning home after the 1st year, my first year in Debrecen had transformed me tremendously. My strong academic performance, vast exposure to different cultures, viewpoints, and ways of life convinced me to make one of the most crucial decisions of my life. I decided to continue my studies in Hungary. The extensive basic science curriculum fueled me to develop a strong discipline, work ethic, and assertiveness towards my goals. In retrospect, my decision in going to Hungary for medical school is the basis for why I became not only an arduous medical student but, more deeply, a person of broader views, cultural awareness, and accelerated maturity.
Throughout my years outside the U.S. to my clinical rotations in the U.S., I’ve developed an admiration for a radiologist’s role. Regardless of specialty, the radiologist’s task provided diagnosis in the medically ill, the young child or infant, the patient with mental status changes, and of course, the surgical candidate. Whether it was a standard X-ray, CT, Ultrasound, or MRI, the detailed images revealed to me secrets undetectable otherwise. The unique technology involved, and the behind-the-scenes work of the radiologist were some of the qualities that appealed to me in ways that no other specialty ever had before. Radiology gave me the exposure to the entire potpourri of medical specialties, therefore, allowing continuing diversity but from a specialized viewpoint.
After I had completed my fourth year radiology course in Hungary, my commitment was solid and without question. Today, radiology is a very challenging and exciting field that is rapidly advancing both in its technical capabilities and diagnostic utility. The radiologist is frequently at the center of a patient's care, often the first to pick up on a patient's illness, and frequently is the first step in initiating a cure. This is what I ultimately want to base my career upon. Nothing appeals to me more than to be able to integrate a patient's history and physical findings with the radiological manifestations of the disease to arrive at the correct diagnosis, thus being at the center of the decision matrix.
As I approached the end of my fourth year, I realized the importance of a solid clinical experience in the U.S. prior to starting my residency. My medical school had no clinical affiliations in the U.S., and setting up my own core clerkships became a daunting task. After my USMLE-1, I transferred to University of The Islands to give myself the opportunity to come straight to the U.S. and begin nearly two years of clinical clerkships. Having taken this opportunity to come home was a crucial step for me to begin a constructive pathway to my desired residency. Having finished all my core clerkships in U.S. teaching hospitals to this point, I can undoubtedly say that the clinical experience was worthwhile. As I begin my radiology electives in my final months of school, I will further bolster my commitment to the field and work diligently with a radiology department. With each elective rotation in radiology, I hope to lay the foundation for a path that will ultimately lead me to a diagnostic radiology residency position.
To this point, my educational pathway may seem unorthodox. However, I feel deeply that each and every one of my experiences has served to strengthen my commitment to medicine and toward a career in radiology. From experiences so far, I believe interpersonal skills are essential for a successful radiologist. Despite limited patient contact, interaction with other physicians and staff members occur on a daily basis. Throughout my life, excellent interpersonal skills, a relentless curiosity for answers, and a strong work ethic have been my fundamental strengths. Throughout my education, I’ve come to learn that I am quite visual in both my approach to learning and in my everyday tasks. The field of radiology allows me to take advantage of these abilities. With such abilities, and an intense desire to acquire the necessary knowledge and skill, I believe I possess the attributes and the commitment to become a competent radiologist.
Radiology Personal Statement 2
“Be all that you can be!” said the U.S. Army when it took my initial love of medicine and kept me involved in what would prove to be my career choice: radiology. I hadn’t imagined that Army Reserves radiography training would become part of my education after migrating to the U.S. from Africa in 1991, but I’m eternally grateful that it did.
Although military service delayed pursuit of my original dream to become a physician, it gave me the opportunity to gain tremendous hands-on experience. I worked hard x-raying victims of severe burns, motor vehicle accidents, child abuse, and minor injuries for the Army’s military and civilian personnel while gaining greater understanding of a radiologist’s role. Yet, my limited scope of practice prevented me from interpreting the images that I had perfected with repetition. I wanted to further broaden my knowledge and purse more advanced training. I applied to a medical school with the intentions of specializing in radiology.
My background in x-ray has given me many advantages in medical school. First, I excelled in anatomy and made the dean’s list every semester. I already had a good understanding of physics, 3D spatial relationships, radiation levels, and what imaging studies to order for different illnesses. In my third year I was fascinated my seeing first-hand the diseases and procedures of internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology that I had merely read about. My curiosity and intrigue motivated me to perform at my best in each rotation. I was elated when the attending on my internal medicine rotation stated that I performed at the same level as a new intern. On my surgery rotation, my x-ray knowledge served me well in the trauma bay where I not only functioned as a medical student but also helped the x-ray technicians obtain adequate images. Each area of medicine offers aspects that I enjoy. One aspect that they all share and that captivates me the most is their everyday use of imaging. Without today’s imaging technology diagnosis and treatment of illnesses would be archaic.
Radiology is an extremely challenging and exciting field where diagnosis lies in the radiologist’s interpretation of the shades of black and white. There are no gray areas in my intention to be heavily involved in it and its continued advancement. Since my Army training, where I was first exposed to film-less imaging, I have seen and read about imaging developments such as teleradiology, cardiac MR, and 3D mammography, that I look forward to working with someday. I want to know everything about imaging photographically and medically for meaningful therapeutic and educational contributions. Choosing a career in radiology comes after several years of consideration and hands-on experience. It is a career that will enable me to expand on what I already know about x-ray and to share this knowledge and experience with future peers. When I think about radiology, I see my future: doing something that I truly want and will never regret. My curious, perceptive, action-oriented nature and my need for answers suit me well for this field.
I have worked hard and come a long way from where I began. I am ready to continue my medical education in radiology. I offer to the program where I train at my dedication and years of experience. I have served the role of an image. Now, I want to enable myself to fully interpret images as a trained physician. Radiology’s fascinatingly noninvasive nature will allow me to practice preventive medicine and diagnose illnesses without the need for surgery while improving overall patient care. I truly will be all that I can be.
Although military service delayed pursuit of my original dream to become a physician, it gave me the opportunity to gain tremendous hands-on experience. I worked hard x-raying victims of severe burns, motor vehicle accidents, child abuse, and minor injuries for the Army’s military and civilian personnel while gaining greater understanding of a radiologist’s role. Yet, my limited scope of practice prevented me from interpreting the images that I had perfected with repetition. I wanted to further broaden my knowledge and purse more advanced training. I applied to a medical school with the intentions of specializing in radiology.
My background in x-ray has given me many advantages in medical school. First, I excelled in anatomy and made the dean’s list every semester. I already had a good understanding of physics, 3D spatial relationships, radiation levels, and what imaging studies to order for different illnesses. In my third year I was fascinated my seeing first-hand the diseases and procedures of internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology that I had merely read about. My curiosity and intrigue motivated me to perform at my best in each rotation. I was elated when the attending on my internal medicine rotation stated that I performed at the same level as a new intern. On my surgery rotation, my x-ray knowledge served me well in the trauma bay where I not only functioned as a medical student but also helped the x-ray technicians obtain adequate images. Each area of medicine offers aspects that I enjoy. One aspect that they all share and that captivates me the most is their everyday use of imaging. Without today’s imaging technology diagnosis and treatment of illnesses would be archaic.
Radiology is an extremely challenging and exciting field where diagnosis lies in the radiologist’s interpretation of the shades of black and white. There are no gray areas in my intention to be heavily involved in it and its continued advancement. Since my Army training, where I was first exposed to film-less imaging, I have seen and read about imaging developments such as teleradiology, cardiac MR, and 3D mammography, that I look forward to working with someday. I want to know everything about imaging photographically and medically for meaningful therapeutic and educational contributions. Choosing a career in radiology comes after several years of consideration and hands-on experience. It is a career that will enable me to expand on what I already know about x-ray and to share this knowledge and experience with future peers. When I think about radiology, I see my future: doing something that I truly want and will never regret. My curious, perceptive, action-oriented nature and my need for answers suit me well for this field.
I have worked hard and come a long way from where I began. I am ready to continue my medical education in radiology. I offer to the program where I train at my dedication and years of experience. I have served the role of an image. Now, I want to enable myself to fully interpret images as a trained physician. Radiology’s fascinatingly noninvasive nature will allow me to practice preventive medicine and diagnose illnesses without the need for surgery while improving overall patient care. I truly will be all that I can be.
Radiology Personal Statement 1
I was led into medicine by a desire to positively impact people’s lives. As I progressed through my clinical rotations, I searched for the field that would satisfy this desire while also stimulating and challenging me. For me, this field is radiology. During my third year of medical school I have seen the importance of correct radiological diagnosis. Whether an obscure disease that was a diagnostic dilemma to clinicians or an incidental finding on a routine study, an astute radiologist is critical to optimal patient care, as successful outcomes begin with a correct diagnosis. I am excited by the chance to gain the professional expertise that will enable me to work alongside clinicians in order to achieve positive patient outcomes.
I have witnessed and have been impressed by the work of many outstanding radiologists. From them, I have learned that having a preconceived notion of what to expect and looking for the obvious, while overlooking other critical findings won’t resolve difficult cases. I am highly motivated by the satisfaction of being the person who makes difficult diagnoses and therefore makes a positive difference in patient care.
During medical school, many cases influenced my decision to pursue radiology. Many cases touched me. One in particular occurred early in my third year of medical school. At this time, I had the opportunity to work with an unfortunate five-year-old boy named Victor. In his five years, he experienced many hardships. He came from a broken home, was one of six children and had recently lost his mother to AIDS. He presented to Children’s hospital after multiple admissions elsewhere, with failure to thrive, developmental delay, and multiple peculiar nodular growths, most notably a large protrusion from his forehead. Most striking was a lack of answers. Many pediatricians, pathologists and others attempted to solve this diagnostic puzzle without success. A CT scan was ordered. Upon seeing the CT scan, a brilliant pediatric radiologist remembered a similar case from years earlier. She knew to ask if the patient had shortened first digits of his lower extremities. He did. The trained eye of the radiologist, armed with the data from previous workups, and clinical experience allowed the diagnosis of the very rare fibro muscular dysplasia ossificans progressive to be made. This moment proved bittersweet. The pain of the unknown was now gone, but, the patient and family would have to live with an incurable condition. Fortunately, some treatments to prolong and improve quality of life are available.
While the work up was long and challenging, cooperation, modern technology, radiologic expertise and clinicians working together allowed Victor and his family to have many questions answered. Had he presented before such imaging technology was available, obtaining a diagnosis would have been even more difficult and the family might still be facing the unknown. This case illustrates how the power of diagnostic imaging has revolutionalized medicine.
I eagerly anticipate my chance to train and develop my skills, so that I may someday touch the lives of people like Victor. I am searching for a program that will allow me to thrive and fully develop my skills. I wish to be part of a program where I will be able to contribute by working hard with and for others. I hope to work with other residents with similar aspirations so that we may learn and benefit from each other. I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to participate in research in the past. I want to be part of a program where teaching and research are priorities. I am not a person who is bound by geography, or size of the community I would serve. For me, the professional relationships that I stand to develop and the opportunities to learn and contribute are the most important.
I firmly believe that I have the attributes to be a successful radiologist. I am intellectual and have an analytical mind, which allows me to enjoy the challenge of tackling complex problems. I am a methodical person who possesses strict attention to detail. I ask the right questions and enjoy interacting and collaborating with other medical professionals, to ensure a correct diagnosis is made. Furthermore, I am approachable, light hearted, yet dedicated, competent and driven. I believe these qualities will make me a better radiologist by being someone others will want to work with.
Radiology is an exciting, rapidly expanding field. While many advances in recent years have revolutionized diagnosis, emerging technologies promise to drive the field forward so that newer, more powerful techniques will become standard of care. I am excited at the prospect of being a part of these advances. I believe that your program is one with the attributes that can enable me to move forward to achieve my goals.
I have witnessed and have been impressed by the work of many outstanding radiologists. From them, I have learned that having a preconceived notion of what to expect and looking for the obvious, while overlooking other critical findings won’t resolve difficult cases. I am highly motivated by the satisfaction of being the person who makes difficult diagnoses and therefore makes a positive difference in patient care.
During medical school, many cases influenced my decision to pursue radiology. Many cases touched me. One in particular occurred early in my third year of medical school. At this time, I had the opportunity to work with an unfortunate five-year-old boy named Victor. In his five years, he experienced many hardships. He came from a broken home, was one of six children and had recently lost his mother to AIDS. He presented to Children’s hospital after multiple admissions elsewhere, with failure to thrive, developmental delay, and multiple peculiar nodular growths, most notably a large protrusion from his forehead. Most striking was a lack of answers. Many pediatricians, pathologists and others attempted to solve this diagnostic puzzle without success. A CT scan was ordered. Upon seeing the CT scan, a brilliant pediatric radiologist remembered a similar case from years earlier. She knew to ask if the patient had shortened first digits of his lower extremities. He did. The trained eye of the radiologist, armed with the data from previous workups, and clinical experience allowed the diagnosis of the very rare fibro muscular dysplasia ossificans progressive to be made. This moment proved bittersweet. The pain of the unknown was now gone, but, the patient and family would have to live with an incurable condition. Fortunately, some treatments to prolong and improve quality of life are available.
While the work up was long and challenging, cooperation, modern technology, radiologic expertise and clinicians working together allowed Victor and his family to have many questions answered. Had he presented before such imaging technology was available, obtaining a diagnosis would have been even more difficult and the family might still be facing the unknown. This case illustrates how the power of diagnostic imaging has revolutionalized medicine.
I eagerly anticipate my chance to train and develop my skills, so that I may someday touch the lives of people like Victor. I am searching for a program that will allow me to thrive and fully develop my skills. I wish to be part of a program where I will be able to contribute by working hard with and for others. I hope to work with other residents with similar aspirations so that we may learn and benefit from each other. I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to participate in research in the past. I want to be part of a program where teaching and research are priorities. I am not a person who is bound by geography, or size of the community I would serve. For me, the professional relationships that I stand to develop and the opportunities to learn and contribute are the most important.
I firmly believe that I have the attributes to be a successful radiologist. I am intellectual and have an analytical mind, which allows me to enjoy the challenge of tackling complex problems. I am a methodical person who possesses strict attention to detail. I ask the right questions and enjoy interacting and collaborating with other medical professionals, to ensure a correct diagnosis is made. Furthermore, I am approachable, light hearted, yet dedicated, competent and driven. I believe these qualities will make me a better radiologist by being someone others will want to work with.
Radiology is an exciting, rapidly expanding field. While many advances in recent years have revolutionized diagnosis, emerging technologies promise to drive the field forward so that newer, more powerful techniques will become standard of care. I am excited at the prospect of being a part of these advances. I believe that your program is one with the attributes that can enable me to move forward to achieve my goals.
Community Medicine Personal Statement
Shabbat in Jerusalem: harmonious voices celebrating over a bountiful meal juxtaposed against overcrowding, mildew stained walls and inadequate ventilation. My first realization that community health was integral in individual health came when I lived in an orthodox Jewish community in Israel. Objectively, these people lived in poverty in a war torn country under the constant threat of terrorism. However, somehow, they were healthy, happy, educated and able to recognize and support members of the community in need. Through the academic study of community health, I now recognize this phenomenon as social capital- strength of the community resulting in betterment of the individual.
My clinical rotations have served to demonstrate how the absence of social capital and the absence of a strong public health framework can have dire consequences. A lack of primary preventative measures has contributed to gross inflation of the incidence of chronic disease and clinicians are too often left with pharmacotherapy as their primary tool; the societal driving forces of disease are seen as outside their domain. As a physician, I want my proverbial �toolbox� to contain broad and innovative skills that enable me to understand the underlying causes of disease and bring about real change at a population level. I want to develop skills that not only equip me to manage the effects of disease, but also to understand and promote the determinants of health.
My interest in a career in Community Medicine began early in medical school and I have explored the field through electives in Canada and abroad. I chose to complete an additional four-week elective in Ghana where I accompanied local medical students on a community needs assessment in a rural town. There I saw a real appreciation for the power of public health measures. This experience also taught me the importance of knowing cultural customs and norms, as well as having the ability to communicate effectively. I have also undertaken community medicine rotations in rural _______, ______ and ______. In each of these locations I participated in similar public health programs and it was fascinating to see how each program was shaped by the specific needs of the local population. I reinforced my community health experience with a clinical rotation in the Community Health Clinic in ______. This setting proved to be a compelling demonstration of the link between housing, poverty, addiction and clinical medicine. Not one of these issues can be successfully addressed in isolation. Improvement in health for this population requires change in subsidized housing, addiction programs, policing, and education: in other words, it requires a community health perspective.
Treating a population as opposed to individuals requires unique qualities. I possess a multitude of these qualities and my background has provided me with a solid foundation upon which to build these qualities into career skills. As a high school student my desire for a broad international perspective led me to apply and successfully secure a full scholarship to Lester B. Pearson United World College. There, living and learning with students from over 70 countries, I gained invaluable insight into international affairs, cultural sensitivity and conflict resolution. Additionally, I have always enjoyed public speaking and have won numerous awards through high school and university. These oral communication skills were recently put to the test when I co-produced and acted in ______�s premiere performance of the Vagina Monologues. This �crash course� in media relations taught me the importance of social marketing and how to harness the power of the media to distribute a crafted message. Through the sell-out premiere and the greater �V-day� campaign, we raised over $12,000 for charity and heightened awareness about violence against women. On a personal level, it provided a powerful demonstration that I have the ability to recognize a need in the community and provide a new and viable means of change.
Leadership and political insight are also qualities I believe are necessary in a Community Medicine specialist. I have demonstrated leadership ability through roles such as representing students on the _____ Medical Association Board of Directors, as well as leader of the Student Aid Tuition Advocacy Group (STAG). My involvement in the later has led to lobbying government to protect the accessibility of medical education and an independent research project to assess the effects of medical student debt on career choice.
After completing my residency training in Community Medicine, I intend to pursue opportunities in national and international health with specific interests in health promotion, health policy, communicable disease control and medical education. I am looking for a residency program with a strong international focus and the flexibility to include CCFP requirements as well as international electives. _______ is an ideal training location offering a cosmopolitan city, an excellent provincial public health system and, of course, the opportunity to work in a French-speaking environment.
In summary, I am a person who needs to understand the bigger picture, I crave creativity and I want to make a difference. During the process of deciding on a specialty career path, I found a description of Community Medicine that captured my imagination. A doctor described the essence of the discipline as �the ability to dream things that have not been�. I can think of a better way to challenge myself and contribute to the health of our population.
The above example requires filling.
My clinical rotations have served to demonstrate how the absence of social capital and the absence of a strong public health framework can have dire consequences. A lack of primary preventative measures has contributed to gross inflation of the incidence of chronic disease and clinicians are too often left with pharmacotherapy as their primary tool; the societal driving forces of disease are seen as outside their domain. As a physician, I want my proverbial �toolbox� to contain broad and innovative skills that enable me to understand the underlying causes of disease and bring about real change at a population level. I want to develop skills that not only equip me to manage the effects of disease, but also to understand and promote the determinants of health.
My interest in a career in Community Medicine began early in medical school and I have explored the field through electives in Canada and abroad. I chose to complete an additional four-week elective in Ghana where I accompanied local medical students on a community needs assessment in a rural town. There I saw a real appreciation for the power of public health measures. This experience also taught me the importance of knowing cultural customs and norms, as well as having the ability to communicate effectively. I have also undertaken community medicine rotations in rural _______, ______ and ______. In each of these locations I participated in similar public health programs and it was fascinating to see how each program was shaped by the specific needs of the local population. I reinforced my community health experience with a clinical rotation in the Community Health Clinic in ______. This setting proved to be a compelling demonstration of the link between housing, poverty, addiction and clinical medicine. Not one of these issues can be successfully addressed in isolation. Improvement in health for this population requires change in subsidized housing, addiction programs, policing, and education: in other words, it requires a community health perspective.
Treating a population as opposed to individuals requires unique qualities. I possess a multitude of these qualities and my background has provided me with a solid foundation upon which to build these qualities into career skills. As a high school student my desire for a broad international perspective led me to apply and successfully secure a full scholarship to Lester B. Pearson United World College. There, living and learning with students from over 70 countries, I gained invaluable insight into international affairs, cultural sensitivity and conflict resolution. Additionally, I have always enjoyed public speaking and have won numerous awards through high school and university. These oral communication skills were recently put to the test when I co-produced and acted in ______�s premiere performance of the Vagina Monologues. This �crash course� in media relations taught me the importance of social marketing and how to harness the power of the media to distribute a crafted message. Through the sell-out premiere and the greater �V-day� campaign, we raised over $12,000 for charity and heightened awareness about violence against women. On a personal level, it provided a powerful demonstration that I have the ability to recognize a need in the community and provide a new and viable means of change.
Leadership and political insight are also qualities I believe are necessary in a Community Medicine specialist. I have demonstrated leadership ability through roles such as representing students on the _____ Medical Association Board of Directors, as well as leader of the Student Aid Tuition Advocacy Group (STAG). My involvement in the later has led to lobbying government to protect the accessibility of medical education and an independent research project to assess the effects of medical student debt on career choice.
After completing my residency training in Community Medicine, I intend to pursue opportunities in national and international health with specific interests in health promotion, health policy, communicable disease control and medical education. I am looking for a residency program with a strong international focus and the flexibility to include CCFP requirements as well as international electives. _______ is an ideal training location offering a cosmopolitan city, an excellent provincial public health system and, of course, the opportunity to work in a French-speaking environment.
In summary, I am a person who needs to understand the bigger picture, I crave creativity and I want to make a difference. During the process of deciding on a specialty career path, I found a description of Community Medicine that captured my imagination. A doctor described the essence of the discipline as �the ability to dream things that have not been�. I can think of a better way to challenge myself and contribute to the health of our population.
The above example requires filling.
Anesthesiology Personal Statement 2
Jamaica conjures up images of a far-away exotic locale, where the people are warm and friendly and make visitors feel at home. It is also the place where I was born, and where my love for working with people developed. Since most of the employment there is related to tourism, like many of my friends I worked in the airline industry after graduating from high school. This satisfied my curiosity about what was beyond my country's boundaries, but as exciting as travelling and experiencing other cultures were, returning home carried the predictable need for something more. So, full of ambition and with the encouragement of family and friends, I decided that going to college was the route to take, but in America.
The two years when I studied chemistry at St. Thomas of Vollanova University in Miami, Florida, where challenging, difficult and rewarding. Because there were many other students from foreign countries at St. Thomas, the transition to the American educational system and culture was smooth and enjoyable. Participating in the International Students' Organization and in student government were my special extracurricular projects. Though little time was left for much else, there were moments when I longed to be back home I especially missed playing darts which my family did as a team, setting new records by claiming champi9onship trophies for three straight seasons. As a sophomore I decided that I wanted to attend a more prestigious and affordable institution. UCLA seemed the most attractive, so I transferred to begin my junior year in the Fall of 1985.
At UCLA I reconsidered my narrow focus on chemistry and decided to switch majors to psychobiology, which introduced me to the fascinating interplay between physiology and pharmacology. As I progressed through the major I was constantly aware of the link between emotional well-being and positive outcomes.
My motivation to study medicine came from my extracurricular activities. My first practical experience volunteering at the Venice Family Clinic with children from refugee families provided excellent opportunities for patient contact. The clinic's meager resources called for an approach which stressed counseling, and I witnessed the good results which came from gaining patients' trust and treating them with respect and genuine concern. At the Reed Neurological Research Center's outpatient clinic, where I worked part-time, I had the opportunity to work with physicians involved with patient care. It was clear that compassion was an important element in physician's success with their patients. Another special project during this time involved Big Brother of Los Angeles. This organization matches boys from fatherless homes with selected volunteers. Over the years it has been a joy to recall the times when my Little Brother was shy and withdrawn with little self-esteem and seem him today as a well-adjusted and optimistic adolescent.
Medical School has been a learning experience like no other. Without a doubt I feel that I have gained the most and have been most comfortable, in the clinical setting. It was during my research experiences in the Departments of Neurology and anesthesiology that I was influenced by my mentors, Dr. Ernestina Saxton and Dr. Corrie Anderson, towards a career in academic Medicine. Not only did I learn much from their strong commitment to both patients and students, I also became intrigued with the relationship between research and clinical medicine.
As the end of third year rolled around, if you had asked me what I wanted to do after Medical School, the list of possibilities would have been impossible. I would have told you that I loved working with my hands, thrived on personal contact with patients and was sure that somewhere down the line I would be involved in teaching. Of course just about any field in Medicine would seem to be perfect, but after completing an Anesthesia elective, I knew that this was the specialty for me.
From pre-operative rounds, to the scurry of activity at induction ending in a smooth recovery, I have felt only fascination for the meld of cognitive abilities and technical skill that administering anesthesia demands. In many ways the process generated a similar excitement and anticipation that some of my hobbies like mountain biking or downhill skiing did. Moreover, the reward at the end was a gratifying sense of completion, a feeling that is rare in many other specialties. I have come to realize that the more I participate in the process, the more satisfaction I derive, and this influences my choice of residency programs. I will be happiest in a program which promotes development of skill in every area of Anesthesia, and also balances the practical experience with a strong didactic program in a close-knit and friendly environment. Don't copy exact things but write in your own way.
The two years when I studied chemistry at St. Thomas of Vollanova University in Miami, Florida, where challenging, difficult and rewarding. Because there were many other students from foreign countries at St. Thomas, the transition to the American educational system and culture was smooth and enjoyable. Participating in the International Students' Organization and in student government were my special extracurricular projects. Though little time was left for much else, there were moments when I longed to be back home I especially missed playing darts which my family did as a team, setting new records by claiming champi9onship trophies for three straight seasons. As a sophomore I decided that I wanted to attend a more prestigious and affordable institution. UCLA seemed the most attractive, so I transferred to begin my junior year in the Fall of 1985.
At UCLA I reconsidered my narrow focus on chemistry and decided to switch majors to psychobiology, which introduced me to the fascinating interplay between physiology and pharmacology. As I progressed through the major I was constantly aware of the link between emotional well-being and positive outcomes.
My motivation to study medicine came from my extracurricular activities. My first practical experience volunteering at the Venice Family Clinic with children from refugee families provided excellent opportunities for patient contact. The clinic's meager resources called for an approach which stressed counseling, and I witnessed the good results which came from gaining patients' trust and treating them with respect and genuine concern. At the Reed Neurological Research Center's outpatient clinic, where I worked part-time, I had the opportunity to work with physicians involved with patient care. It was clear that compassion was an important element in physician's success with their patients. Another special project during this time involved Big Brother of Los Angeles. This organization matches boys from fatherless homes with selected volunteers. Over the years it has been a joy to recall the times when my Little Brother was shy and withdrawn with little self-esteem and seem him today as a well-adjusted and optimistic adolescent.
Medical School has been a learning experience like no other. Without a doubt I feel that I have gained the most and have been most comfortable, in the clinical setting. It was during my research experiences in the Departments of Neurology and anesthesiology that I was influenced by my mentors, Dr. Ernestina Saxton and Dr. Corrie Anderson, towards a career in academic Medicine. Not only did I learn much from their strong commitment to both patients and students, I also became intrigued with the relationship between research and clinical medicine.
As the end of third year rolled around, if you had asked me what I wanted to do after Medical School, the list of possibilities would have been impossible. I would have told you that I loved working with my hands, thrived on personal contact with patients and was sure that somewhere down the line I would be involved in teaching. Of course just about any field in Medicine would seem to be perfect, but after completing an Anesthesia elective, I knew that this was the specialty for me.
From pre-operative rounds, to the scurry of activity at induction ending in a smooth recovery, I have felt only fascination for the meld of cognitive abilities and technical skill that administering anesthesia demands. In many ways the process generated a similar excitement and anticipation that some of my hobbies like mountain biking or downhill skiing did. Moreover, the reward at the end was a gratifying sense of completion, a feeling that is rare in many other specialties. I have come to realize that the more I participate in the process, the more satisfaction I derive, and this influences my choice of residency programs. I will be happiest in a program which promotes development of skill in every area of Anesthesia, and also balances the practical experience with a strong didactic program in a close-knit and friendly environment. Don't copy exact things but write in your own way.
Anaesthesiology Personal Statement 1
Personal statements can be written in different styles so read through and select the one that gives you advantage. Some universities add specific questions as a guide lines. You have to remember that an excellent personal ends a good grant.
As I approach the end of my medical school education, I find that my thoughts often shift away from the formal material that has been my life for over three years. I have spent countless hours learning anatomy, conceptualizing physiology, practicing physical exam skills, and developing differential diagnoses to build a solid foundation upon which to establish my professional career. Supplementing my concrete knowledge and skill base are informal insights learned through clinical experiences. One such insight which I believe is critically important is to maintain a respect for the unknown.
I realize that this concept is vague and open to individual interpretation. Having a respect for the unknown means several things to me. It means that one should always be aware that there may not be a single, straightforward answer which explains all the patient's problems and that there is no such thing as a truly "stable" patient. It means that a provider should never become stagnant with a knowledge and practical skill base that does not evolve with current standards of care. It also means that one must be attentive to detail and watch vigilantly for changes when patients are under their care. While these principles apply to all fields of medicine, I feel they are particularly applicable in my chosen field of anesthesiology because the stress of surgery on the body can seriously alter pre-existing disease states, the physician's decision-making time is often very short, and the consequences of incorrect patient management are potentially grave.
My decision to pursue a career in anesthesiology was not made upon admittance to medical school. In fact, it was made somewhat late in my third year. I entered my rotation schedule with an open mind, gave each specialty a fair chance, and then reviewed how I felt about each as a career. Although I had enjoyable and educational experiences in each field, anesthesiology has been the most stimulating and rewarding. I am drawn to the dynamics of short-term relationships, the trust which must be earned with limited contact, the intensity of patient management in a critical care setting, and the practical application of pharmacology to modulate ever-changing physiologic states. I do not believe the anesthesiologist merely plays a support-role in the operating room. The anesthesiologist is an equal member of the surgery team - an intensivist whose expertise in pain-control and short-term management of the total patient is required for the other team-members to fix a focal problem. I see the anesthesiologist as a patient advocate who realizes that a patient's experience is dependent on factors other than the efficacy of the surgery and who has the capacity to control variables to ensure patient comfort, safety, and peace of mind. When I was part of an anesthesiology team that was attentive, concerned, and prepared, the surgical experience was generally better for everyone involved. This consistently gave me a personal satisfaction which I did not feel in other fields. I am confident that this satisfaction will not diminish over time.
As far as my future goals in anesthesia, I anticipate living in the place I feel is best for my family and working in a private hospital setting. I plan to serve patients in my local community and those in need in other areas through charitable organizations. The volunteer work I have done with Operation Smile has helped me see the opportunities that anesthesiologists have to assist others around the world while gaining invaluable life experiences.
What does it mean for anesthesiologists to have respect for the unknown? It means they are prepared with an established knowledge base which enables them to understand the functions and interactions of the human body with medications and diseases. It means they are prepared with newly discovered knowledge and practices which enable them to provide the most current and effective care possible. It also means they are prepared to recognize changes in the patient's condition which enables them to respond in the most appropriate fashion. And finally, it means they are prepared to earn the patient's trust and to bear primary responsibility for the patient's well-being.
The unknown is something I respect but do not fear because my medical preparation has been solid both academically and clinically. I look forward to continuing to gain the knowledge, experience, skills, and confidence required to ensure patient safety and comfort during stressful times. The unknown is something I respect but do not fear because my medical preparation has been solid both academically and clinically. I look forward to continuing to gain the knowledge, experience, skills, and confidence required to ensure patient safety and comfort during stressful times.
As I approach the end of my medical school education, I find that my thoughts often shift away from the formal material that has been my life for over three years. I have spent countless hours learning anatomy, conceptualizing physiology, practicing physical exam skills, and developing differential diagnoses to build a solid foundation upon which to establish my professional career. Supplementing my concrete knowledge and skill base are informal insights learned through clinical experiences. One such insight which I believe is critically important is to maintain a respect for the unknown.
I realize that this concept is vague and open to individual interpretation. Having a respect for the unknown means several things to me. It means that one should always be aware that there may not be a single, straightforward answer which explains all the patient's problems and that there is no such thing as a truly "stable" patient. It means that a provider should never become stagnant with a knowledge and practical skill base that does not evolve with current standards of care. It also means that one must be attentive to detail and watch vigilantly for changes when patients are under their care. While these principles apply to all fields of medicine, I feel they are particularly applicable in my chosen field of anesthesiology because the stress of surgery on the body can seriously alter pre-existing disease states, the physician's decision-making time is often very short, and the consequences of incorrect patient management are potentially grave.
My decision to pursue a career in anesthesiology was not made upon admittance to medical school. In fact, it was made somewhat late in my third year. I entered my rotation schedule with an open mind, gave each specialty a fair chance, and then reviewed how I felt about each as a career. Although I had enjoyable and educational experiences in each field, anesthesiology has been the most stimulating and rewarding. I am drawn to the dynamics of short-term relationships, the trust which must be earned with limited contact, the intensity of patient management in a critical care setting, and the practical application of pharmacology to modulate ever-changing physiologic states. I do not believe the anesthesiologist merely plays a support-role in the operating room. The anesthesiologist is an equal member of the surgery team - an intensivist whose expertise in pain-control and short-term management of the total patient is required for the other team-members to fix a focal problem. I see the anesthesiologist as a patient advocate who realizes that a patient's experience is dependent on factors other than the efficacy of the surgery and who has the capacity to control variables to ensure patient comfort, safety, and peace of mind. When I was part of an anesthesiology team that was attentive, concerned, and prepared, the surgical experience was generally better for everyone involved. This consistently gave me a personal satisfaction which I did not feel in other fields. I am confident that this satisfaction will not diminish over time.
As far as my future goals in anesthesia, I anticipate living in the place I feel is best for my family and working in a private hospital setting. I plan to serve patients in my local community and those in need in other areas through charitable organizations. The volunteer work I have done with Operation Smile has helped me see the opportunities that anesthesiologists have to assist others around the world while gaining invaluable life experiences.
What does it mean for anesthesiologists to have respect for the unknown? It means they are prepared with an established knowledge base which enables them to understand the functions and interactions of the human body with medications and diseases. It means they are prepared with newly discovered knowledge and practices which enable them to provide the most current and effective care possible. It also means they are prepared to recognize changes in the patient's condition which enables them to respond in the most appropriate fashion. And finally, it means they are prepared to earn the patient's trust and to bear primary responsibility for the patient's well-being.
The unknown is something I respect but do not fear because my medical preparation has been solid both academically and clinically. I look forward to continuing to gain the knowledge, experience, skills, and confidence required to ensure patient safety and comfort during stressful times. The unknown is something I respect but do not fear because my medical preparation has been solid both academically and clinically. I look forward to continuing to gain the knowledge, experience, skills, and confidence required to ensure patient safety and comfort during stressful times.
Orthopedics Personal Statement 1
In the summers of �95 and �96, I worked closely with a group of private practice orthopaedic surgeons in Nashville, Tennessee. Prior to my experience there, I knew that I wanted to be a physician but I had not decided what career path I would follow after medical school. I was unaware of the indelible influence those summers would have in guiding me through the following years.
The experience introduced me to the art of physical diagnosis as well as the conservative and surgical management of patients. The ability to diagnose patients� particular problems, educate them regarding mechanisms of injuries, discuss interventions and alternatives, and have the opportunity to correct pathology in the operating room was especially appealing to me.
While in medical school I continued to explore my interest in orthopaedics. In the summer of �97, I investigated the growth of pluripotential marrow stem cells on the bone graft substitute calcium sulfate hemihydrate. The project afforded me the opportunity to apply clinical questions at the basic science level. This fall I plan to return to the laboratory to study the influence of mechanical forces on gene expression in developing synovial joints.
During my third year, I served as a member of the Trauma-Hand orthopaedics team. The intricacies of hand and microvascular surgery were fascinating and challenging. The trauma service provided an opportunity to see a wide variety of orthopaedic cases where each one presented a puzzle with several solutions to achieve the correct �fix.� My experiences on the service further solidified my interest in the field of orthopaedic surgery.
Though there are no physicians in my family, my parents have played an important role in developing many of the attributes I believe are key to being the person, student, resident, and physician I strive to be. The importance of teamwork was taught to me at a young age when I first began competitive athletics. The value of hard work was instilled in me as well, and I worked at the local furniture factory while I was in high school. During that time, I also remained an active member of my community and high school where I served as President of the Student Body during my senior year. For three summers of my undergraduate years, I worked in the garage of a local tire store. I recognize that the team concept, leadership, and hard work are the foundations for success in any endeavor. In addition, my parents taught me the value of teaching others by encouraging me to tutor family members who were having difficulty with school. While in high school I tutored many of my classmates and came to appreciate the rewards of sharing knowledge as well as how teaching was vital to my own learning process. In my Senior year at the University of Alabama, I was asked to be the teaching assistant for the Nursing Microbiology and Pathological Microbiology Laboratory courses. Teaching has provided me with the opportunity to both solidify and test the limits of my own knowledge while I strive to find the best way to present information to others in an meaningful way.
My experiences and background have prepared me well for a residency in orthopaedic surgery. I look forward to working with a team of orthopaedists who are excited and passionate about their work as well as educating others. I intend to remain involved with teaching others the art of orthopaedics when I finish my residency whether that be in academics or in the private sector.
, malt and hops), the variety of these ingredients available and the way one chooses ot process and incorporate them allows for unending possibilities. Furthermore, even though you may follow a recipe to the letter, there are always slight variations related to personal style or the particular surroundings (i.e., temperature, humidity, and indigenous strains of yeast that vary from place to place) that will assure a unique product every time. Since I began brewing, I have received great satisfaction in sharing my beer with family and friends, exchanging my brew with other enthusiasts, and, of course, enjoying the fruits of my labor. Also, I have gained a new appreciation for the subtle flavors and colors present in beer and the techniques and ingredients needed to create them.
During my ophthalmology clerkship, I discovered that many of my interest came together in one specialty. In my first week alone, the variety of clinical challenges within the field was clear. I was involved in both the treatment of a child with strabismus and an elderly patient with closed-angle glaucoma who required emergent surgical intervention. In either case, knowing that in one instance we had prevented serious visual disease and in the next had preserved a patient's vision was a great feeling. In addition, using high technology equipment for both diagnosis and therapy was an exciting part of my experience.
My objective is to gain a position at an ophthalmology residency program that will give me the opportunity to practice in either the academic or private sector over the span of my career. Ophthalmology combines all of the elements of practicing medicine that I have enjoyed during my training including precision surgical procedures, interesting research opportunities, and the chance to work with a broad range of patients with acute and chronic disease. I am a mature, hard working individual who is eager to meet the demands of a dynamic, challenging and exciting career in ophthalmology.
The experience introduced me to the art of physical diagnosis as well as the conservative and surgical management of patients. The ability to diagnose patients� particular problems, educate them regarding mechanisms of injuries, discuss interventions and alternatives, and have the opportunity to correct pathology in the operating room was especially appealing to me.
While in medical school I continued to explore my interest in orthopaedics. In the summer of �97, I investigated the growth of pluripotential marrow stem cells on the bone graft substitute calcium sulfate hemihydrate. The project afforded me the opportunity to apply clinical questions at the basic science level. This fall I plan to return to the laboratory to study the influence of mechanical forces on gene expression in developing synovial joints.
During my third year, I served as a member of the Trauma-Hand orthopaedics team. The intricacies of hand and microvascular surgery were fascinating and challenging. The trauma service provided an opportunity to see a wide variety of orthopaedic cases where each one presented a puzzle with several solutions to achieve the correct �fix.� My experiences on the service further solidified my interest in the field of orthopaedic surgery.
Though there are no physicians in my family, my parents have played an important role in developing many of the attributes I believe are key to being the person, student, resident, and physician I strive to be. The importance of teamwork was taught to me at a young age when I first began competitive athletics. The value of hard work was instilled in me as well, and I worked at the local furniture factory while I was in high school. During that time, I also remained an active member of my community and high school where I served as President of the Student Body during my senior year. For three summers of my undergraduate years, I worked in the garage of a local tire store. I recognize that the team concept, leadership, and hard work are the foundations for success in any endeavor. In addition, my parents taught me the value of teaching others by encouraging me to tutor family members who were having difficulty with school. While in high school I tutored many of my classmates and came to appreciate the rewards of sharing knowledge as well as how teaching was vital to my own learning process. In my Senior year at the University of Alabama, I was asked to be the teaching assistant for the Nursing Microbiology and Pathological Microbiology Laboratory courses. Teaching has provided me with the opportunity to both solidify and test the limits of my own knowledge while I strive to find the best way to present information to others in an meaningful way.
My experiences and background have prepared me well for a residency in orthopaedic surgery. I look forward to working with a team of orthopaedists who are excited and passionate about their work as well as educating others. I intend to remain involved with teaching others the art of orthopaedics when I finish my residency whether that be in academics or in the private sector.
, malt and hops), the variety of these ingredients available and the way one chooses ot process and incorporate them allows for unending possibilities. Furthermore, even though you may follow a recipe to the letter, there are always slight variations related to personal style or the particular surroundings (i.e., temperature, humidity, and indigenous strains of yeast that vary from place to place) that will assure a unique product every time. Since I began brewing, I have received great satisfaction in sharing my beer with family and friends, exchanging my brew with other enthusiasts, and, of course, enjoying the fruits of my labor. Also, I have gained a new appreciation for the subtle flavors and colors present in beer and the techniques and ingredients needed to create them.
During my ophthalmology clerkship, I discovered that many of my interest came together in one specialty. In my first week alone, the variety of clinical challenges within the field was clear. I was involved in both the treatment of a child with strabismus and an elderly patient with closed-angle glaucoma who required emergent surgical intervention. In either case, knowing that in one instance we had prevented serious visual disease and in the next had preserved a patient's vision was a great feeling. In addition, using high technology equipment for both diagnosis and therapy was an exciting part of my experience.
My objective is to gain a position at an ophthalmology residency program that will give me the opportunity to practice in either the academic or private sector over the span of my career. Ophthalmology combines all of the elements of practicing medicine that I have enjoyed during my training including precision surgical procedures, interesting research opportunities, and the chance to work with a broad range of patients with acute and chronic disease. I am a mature, hard working individual who is eager to meet the demands of a dynamic, challenging and exciting career in ophthalmology.
Get Admission Easily As Urologist
Urology is a field where surgical competence, compassion, and sensitivity are paramount to patient care. I believe my personal strengths and experiences will allow me to succeed in the field.
My interest in urology began in college. I lived in a fraternity and served as a Peer Health Counselor while attending UCLA. This meant conducting student seminars discussing topics ranging from dysuria to sexually transmitted diseases. I felt privileged to be confided in by so many people about their intimate personal problems. As a result of this experience, I authored a paper exploring the psychogenic versus the organic causes of impotence among the elderly as a class project during my senior year.
After college, my road to becoming a physician took a detour. I worked in a business management company for the music entertainment industry and then started and operated a computer consulting company. These experiences taught me important organizational skills, self discipline, and knowledge in the inner workings of computer hardware and software.
My vision to pursue urology came into sharp focus in medical school. After my first exposure to the operating room, I realized the structure, team work, and the challenge of the various surgeries had sparked an interest in me. I jumped at the opportunities to do everything in the operating room from starting IVs and intubating the patient to closing the wound. I enjoy staying late in the hospital, which meant more opportunities to be involved with cases I would have otherwise missed. My interest and love of surgery was reflected in receiving a rating of 11 out of 10 from my first surgical clerkship as well as excellent comments from all of my preceptors. Coincidentally, it was during my urology rotation that my father suffered urinary retention secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia. Through the rotation and my father's experience, I was able to fully appreciate the prevalence and management of prostatic diseases and other urologic abnormalities. Just when I thought the cases could not become anymore interesting, I was fortunate enough to assist in an ureteral-appendiceal interposition in a trauma patient. Needless to say I was fascinated. After speaking with practicing urologists both in private and academic settings, I decided that I want to combine my natural ability to discuss sensitive issues and my love for the operating room with the fascination I have dealing with urological pathologies.
I have balanced my academic and clinical endeavors with an active personal life. Shortly after I immigrated to the U.S. from Taiwan at age 11, I became involved with two-way amateur radio communications. I enjoy the ability to succinctly and accurately relay messages. I have found this to be an important skill both in and out of the operating room. With English as my second language, I especially welcome the challenge of public speaking. Synthesizing my knowledge of medical education as a student and personal computers, I frequently give presentations in front of large audiences. In my spare time, I like to run, play basketball, and weightlift. Having completed a marathon and numerous 10K runs, I feel that I have the stamina to endure the rigors of a surgical subspecialty. Lastly, there is nothing more relaxing than to spend a weekend with friends snow skiing on a monoski.
My varied interests make deciding on my future goals in urology a difficult task. There are many topics in urology which intrigue me and I am unable to decide on a specific area at the moment. I would consider furthering my training in a fellowship program as I learn more about what is available. In order to combine my desire for public speaking, love for helping others, and ability to succinctly explain complex topics, I am certain that I will be involved with teaching. I would like to continue my clinical research efforts and to eventually practice urology in an academic setting.
I seek a well-balanced program which will further my intellectual and technical development through varied and numerous surgical cases along with exposure to different subspecialties within urology. Combining my personal strengths and dedication with a strong residency program, I am looking forward to incorporating compassion with results in becoming a urologist
My interest in urology began in college. I lived in a fraternity and served as a Peer Health Counselor while attending UCLA. This meant conducting student seminars discussing topics ranging from dysuria to sexually transmitted diseases. I felt privileged to be confided in by so many people about their intimate personal problems. As a result of this experience, I authored a paper exploring the psychogenic versus the organic causes of impotence among the elderly as a class project during my senior year.
After college, my road to becoming a physician took a detour. I worked in a business management company for the music entertainment industry and then started and operated a computer consulting company. These experiences taught me important organizational skills, self discipline, and knowledge in the inner workings of computer hardware and software.
My vision to pursue urology came into sharp focus in medical school. After my first exposure to the operating room, I realized the structure, team work, and the challenge of the various surgeries had sparked an interest in me. I jumped at the opportunities to do everything in the operating room from starting IVs and intubating the patient to closing the wound. I enjoy staying late in the hospital, which meant more opportunities to be involved with cases I would have otherwise missed. My interest and love of surgery was reflected in receiving a rating of 11 out of 10 from my first surgical clerkship as well as excellent comments from all of my preceptors. Coincidentally, it was during my urology rotation that my father suffered urinary retention secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia. Through the rotation and my father's experience, I was able to fully appreciate the prevalence and management of prostatic diseases and other urologic abnormalities. Just when I thought the cases could not become anymore interesting, I was fortunate enough to assist in an ureteral-appendiceal interposition in a trauma patient. Needless to say I was fascinated. After speaking with practicing urologists both in private and academic settings, I decided that I want to combine my natural ability to discuss sensitive issues and my love for the operating room with the fascination I have dealing with urological pathologies.
I have balanced my academic and clinical endeavors with an active personal life. Shortly after I immigrated to the U.S. from Taiwan at age 11, I became involved with two-way amateur radio communications. I enjoy the ability to succinctly and accurately relay messages. I have found this to be an important skill both in and out of the operating room. With English as my second language, I especially welcome the challenge of public speaking. Synthesizing my knowledge of medical education as a student and personal computers, I frequently give presentations in front of large audiences. In my spare time, I like to run, play basketball, and weightlift. Having completed a marathon and numerous 10K runs, I feel that I have the stamina to endure the rigors of a surgical subspecialty. Lastly, there is nothing more relaxing than to spend a weekend with friends snow skiing on a monoski.
My varied interests make deciding on my future goals in urology a difficult task. There are many topics in urology which intrigue me and I am unable to decide on a specific area at the moment. I would consider furthering my training in a fellowship program as I learn more about what is available. In order to combine my desire for public speaking, love for helping others, and ability to succinctly explain complex topics, I am certain that I will be involved with teaching. I would like to continue my clinical research efforts and to eventually practice urology in an academic setting.
I seek a well-balanced program which will further my intellectual and technical development through varied and numerous surgical cases along with exposure to different subspecialties within urology. Combining my personal strengths and dedication with a strong residency program, I am looking forward to incorporating compassion with results in becoming a urologist
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