Essay Personal Statement For Internal Medicine

My interest in medicine first stemmed from my freshman Biology class and my Nutrition class. I was intrigued by our studies of cells, genetics, and disease. Both courses incited a sense of awe and curiosity within me. Dissecting a frog, was the stepping-stone for my interest in medicine. Seeing the frog's heart made me wonder how the human heart worked. My research into the human heart inspired me to learn more about the medical field. I sought out volunteer opportunities that would give me insight into a doctor’s typical day. During my volunteer experience, I learned that as a doctor you experience many obstacles, including patient compliance and insurance approval issues. In my journey to pursue medicine, I learned that becoming a doctor means more than helping people, it means being the team leader, being compassionate, and most importantly being committed to the patient’s well being.

As I have moved toward the path of a career in Internal Medicine, there have been certain educational events which served as catalyst to my career. My first clerkship in Internal Medicine Outpatient in a rural and underserved area of Tennessee, I met Dr. Candi Overholt. She was an extraordinary mentor as I watched her daily manage each patient’s numerous comorbidities and yet she also showed sincere interest in each patient’s emotional and personal life.

child. From one emergency physician I saw the face of medicine that I wished to practice. While in the

Since high school I was mesmerized by the mystery of the human body. I always wanted to study the structure of the smallest cells. Nevertheless, my admiration for the noble work of doctors in helping people and relieving the suffering of others was one of my primary reasons for wanting to pursue a career in medicine. Being born in a family that has always encouraged utilizing our inherent gifts to the fullest extent, I have excelled in every academic venture I have undertaken. My ambition to become a competent physician culminated when I was selected in the top 200 among a 100,000 applicants to attend the best medical school in my country, the University of Khartoum. Oliver Twist always asks for

I felt motivated about the knowledge of semiology and pathology of diseases the internists possess. In the same way I truly enjoy diagnosing challenging medical conditions.

Ever since I was a child, when people asked me which profession interested me most, I used to say “I would like to be a detective”. I would say that because I knew my inherent ability to solve complex problems. Internal medicine is a complex broad field and the spectrum of diseases seen in this specialty fascinated me.

My passion for becoming an Internist began while working as a behavior analyst for the May Institute. Serving adults and children with a broad variety of developmental disorders provided my initial impetus and foundation. Working closely with individuals and groups as a case manager, created the desire to treat these individuals and further improve their lives. This experience motivated me to become a medical assistant, further exposing me to complex cases and clarifying my decision. I completed medical school to become an part of a multidisciplinary team to enhance the lives of people and their families stricken with intricate cases, as this tended to push the boundaries of who I am and what I am capable of more so than any other specialty.

As I began my medical education my interests had piqued; however, my true passion was ignited when I discovered the stimulating environment of internal medicine. Foremost, with the aid of an exceptional physician preceptor, I discovered that managing a wide variety of pathologies within a varied population is the ideal way to develop a broad clinical knowledge. Additionally, I found that I enjoyed the ‘hands-on’ component that comes with the privilege of performing procedures and resuscitation. Finally, I discovered that managing patients holistically, through collaboration and coordination, is the best way to facilitate excellent patient outcomes. It was after these discoveries that I decided to further my pursuit of a career in internal medicine.

As such, the vast volume of knowledge, the constant improvements in treatment, and the ability to cure disease captivates me. No matter how simple or complex the problem may appear, Internists are well equipped to deal with the majority of symptoms and conditions that a patient presents with. Internists are faced with many puzzling medical problems. Nevertheless, I have faith that my determination, diligence, and hardworking approach will empower me to overcome the challenges and give me the perseverance to achieve the

The years spent during medical school fostered profound personal, emotional, and, intellectual growth. At first we come across many disparate fields of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and then pharmacology, pathology and microbiology. As a good detective we pick up clues along the way. Only in final year do we study Internal medicine and then all the pieces of puzzle fall into place. I want to be an internist who keeps an open minded approach and gathers all the pieces of evidence in the process of formulating a differential diagnosis and treatment plan for the patient.

Taking steps towards achieving my goal of becoming an internist, I took and passed the West African residency exams for internal medicine residency in Nigeria. While awaiting commencement, I migrated to the US, where I now continue to pursue this goal. Internal medicine would enable me to better understand my patients, offer treatment for their health problems that might not be clear to other practitioners. And as a cardiologist, I will be able to help patients understand the fundamentals of ‘healthy heart habits’.

During my first and second years of medical school, I had the opportunity to visit with internists and sub-specialists of medicine, including a pulmonologist and a cardiologist. I was impressed by how the physicians were able to discuss with patients about what their problems were and how they can move forward with improving treatment. The physicians also discussed with me about how they integrate basic sciences with clinical practice, which I was impressed with.

I have a very deep and special connection to the medical field ever since my mother

Transitioning into the third year of medical school was invigorating as I was challenged to assume the clinical responsibilities of a physician. With every rotation my fundamental base of medical knowledge evolved, yet I was constantly craving more interactions with patients. I entered medical school wanting not only to solve medical problems but also to serve as a confidant to those in need. My internal medicine experience enabled me to satisfy this desire immediately.

‘Stay hungry, stay foolish’, said the late Steve Jobs at Stanford convocation ceremony. These words struck a chord in me and have been at the heart of my journey in the field of medicine. Curiosity towards everything has always been inherent in me, which probably shaped my hobbies that mostly consisted of mind games, puzzles and detective novels like the Sherlock Holmes series. But my inquisitiveness was channelized into gaining useful knowledge after listening to Steve Jobs and it naturally transformed into me choosing the field of Internal Medicine as my career choice.