Statement of Purpose: MCU-FDT Med
From the earliest stages of my life, I have had a fascination with infrastructure and the interactions of the things that surrounded me. This propelled me into the thought that architecture should be my career goal at a very young age. The beauty of different elements and compounds conjoining into a single entity such as a bridge or a home, incited an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and understanding of these matters. As I got exposed to concepts within the field of science and medicine during my high school and collegiate years, I began to understand that the greatest complex structure on Earth is the human body.
Through my experiences I was able to understand how diverse a doctor’s job can be. The service they provide cannot be contained in simply prescribing medication or performing surgery, because having compassion and empathy are key characteristics in delivering an effective and holistic care. I was fortunate enough to be acquainted with this at a very young age, during the time I was hospitalized due to malnutrition. My mother voluntarily drove me to the hospital to get checked as to why I was severely underweight and did not have an appetite during the age at which high amounts of leptin are crucial for triggering puberty as well as the overall growth of the mind and body. I, for one, was very confused considering that I felt perfectly normal and had no discomfort whatsoever during the time of visit. The physician’s lack of urgency to treat me gave reassurance and relief that there was nothing severely wrong with me. Despite the circumstances, I was still admitted to the hospital for a couple of days and was intravenously fed. The doctor understood that the care that is given does not only pertain to the patient themselves, but for their loved ones as well. Doctors that provide a holistic care must deal with health ramifications of both physical and psychological factors.
My passion and fascination with medicine exponentially grew through relevant work experience, both in hospital and care homes. My internship at Palomar and Pomerado Hospital gave me the opportunity to shadow various medical staff, where I was taught procedures such as catheter and cannula insertion, basic speech and physical therapy, and taking vital signs amongst many others. Throughout my time there, I took advantage of the given circumstances to immerse myself within the Emergency, Interventional Radiology, and Surgical Departments. It was there that I witnessed firsthand the mechanics of treating patients in a holistic manner. It required high level of teamwork between each staff member and the consultation between the healthcare professionals to ensure an efficient and effective treatment. During a craniotomy operation, the surgeon expressed his dissatisfaction to continue taking out tumor mass within the patient’s brain to avoid any further damage to the young patient. The neurologist present in the operating room supported this decision and further cited that the CT scan that they used to superficially distinguish tumor tissue from healthy tissue cannot be completely relied on as tissues shift during the procedure. This exemplified how healthcare professionals face emotionally stressful situations and the need to recognize even the minute details of their craft. Additionally, I was able to understand that the research aspect of medicine that provides an evidence based approach to predicaments, as well as the necessity of clinicians to devote time to lifelong learning are crucial to the continued improvement of care that they provide to their patients.
The time I spent in our family owned home care facilities gave me the opportunity to work closely with elderly patients. As I assisted with daily tasks such as feeding, bathing, and walking of our residents, it gave me a better insight of the specific challenges that came with caring for the elderly. Difficulty of an individualistic treatment does not only pertain to differences in age but with factors such as social class, gender, and ethnicity as well. The experience gave me an even deeper understanding of the rudimentary characteristics that doctors need to be equipped with such as being understanding, compassionate, and patient. Being in that environment allowed me to be involved with the more unpleasant side of medicine, as it showcased the simple realities of aging and feebleness of the human body. Helping out in the home care has also highlighted the importance of communication between primary and secondary care in providing an exceptional service for the sick and elderly.
Outside of academics I was involved in a number of activities which I deemed to be beneficial to the development of skills that will be useful in the medical field. I was involved within the local community by providing assistance to underprivileged youth as part of local clubs of which I held various leadership positions in. I took part in planning of multiple events hosted by the YMCA and Boys and Girls Club for their fostered youth and single parent programs. The experiences helped improve my leadership qualities and provided an outlet for the development of my intrapersonal and communicating abilities with children and adolescents. It also required teamwork, problem solving, and trust between each member to perform their duties in order to collectively be efficient as a group. Whenever time permitted, I indulged in outdoor activities such as surfing and hiking which allowed me to appreciate the things I learned in class as a biologist, and the elevated understanding about my surroundings that continue to influence decisions I make in my life.
The medical field is not a glamorous source of easy income as work hours tend to be long and it is physically and emotionally exhausting. However, the service that it provides to the community is undoubtedly gratifying and rewarding. I believe that medical school will provide me with the tools and knowledge that I will need in a field which requires a high level of technical proficiency, development of strong empathetic relationships, and integrity.
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