My Osteopathic Pursuit

Truthfully, as an undergraduate I knew very little about the osteopathic profession. In 2013, however, I began working as a medical scribe with Dr. Ghaffari-Greene, DO, in the Sibley ER and she opened my eyes to the beauty of osteopathic medicine. Thanks to Dr. Ghaffari-Greene, and a number of other osteopathic physicians in the ER, I have come to understand what osteopathic medicine is all about. Three years after my first exposure to the osteopathic profession, I continue to be motivated to become an osteopathic physician for many reasons. These include the following:

I first learned about osteopathic medicine through admissions workshop in graduate school. Osteopathic medicine’s emphasis on primary care and helping medically underserved communities truly appealed to me. As I delved further about its philosophy in the books, I am also interested by the fact that osteopathic physicians are trained to focus on health, not the disease. This will improve the overall well-being of a patient and prevent diseases. In Burma, I faced the challenges of substandard health care and education, without clean water, food or public sanitation. All these experiences, complicated by my bouts of tuberculosis and typhoid taught me at a young age to appreciate the value of a healthy life.

I want to become an osteopathic physician, because osteopathic doctors take the additional strides toward providing their patients with holistic care. Unlike other health care professionals osteopathic doctors try to obtain the most detailed history, starting from the patient’s birth, sometimes even before that. During the history taking

I have chosen osteopathic medicine as my professional choice in becoming a physician, because I have a passion for the healthcare field and learning, I want to be able to help others and give back to the community and I believe that medicine is evolving towards an osteopathic approach which takes into account the body as a whole. Passion is the driver behind any good physician. I am always looking to learn and improve upon my performance in whatever I am doing. Whether it was undergraduate coursework, medical shadowing, EMT training, or community service I put forth my fullest effort into the task at hand. Every moment in medicine and life in general is a valuable learning experience. Osteopathic medicine will force me outside of my comfort zone and many mistakes will be made along the way, but I look forward to tackling the challenges ahead of me and in the end it will allow me to become the best physician possible.

Although I have not shadowed an osteopathic physician, my experience within the field of osteopathy derives from a more personal experience. As the patient of an osteopathic physician, I am most fascinated with the multiple modalities that my physician uses within her practice. Throughout my course of visits, I have witnessed that her practice encompasses an integrative approach in which treatments include, but are not limited to, osteopathic manipulative medicine, traditional medications and surgery. I have also noted that my primary care physician always obtained a comprehensive view of current symptoms as well as lifestyle practices. I believe that these two views allows her to detect any interconnections and assess any underlying causes

I have spent the past four years developing my skills and knowledge to prepare me for medical school and eventually becoming a physician. Through these years, my dedication and maturity have shown to be at the level required to be successful in medical school. I am extremely passionate about practicing medicine and working along side of many other confident healthcare professionals. I believe strongly in Osteopathic manipulative medicine and the whole body approach. I am certain that Marian University will provide me with an excellent education in this philosophy, which I will utilize to begin and build a career practicing Osteopathic medicine. Marian University's location in the large city of Indianapolis will provide an environment to practice

It is with great pleasure that I write this letter in support of Johan Garel, PA-C and his desire to attend osteopathic medical school. Though many prospective students ask me to make this request on their behalf, I only recommend individuals whom I feel are highly motivated and well-suited for the program of their choice. I have had the pleasure of working with Johan Garel for more than a year in the emergency room. Johan is one of those individuals who is, clearly dedicated to the study and practice of the medicine. Therefore, I highly recommend that he be given the opportunity to attend your institution.

The Dual Admissions Program would support my future goals by providing me with the education needed to prepare and train me for an enthusing profession in osteopathic medicine. As the university with the first osteopathic college established in the southeastern United States, I am awaiting an incredible experience in the Dual Admission Osteopathic Medicine Program. At an utmost level of merit and in a supporting environment of research and intellectual activities, it will permit me to practice and interact with other health professions students. Its distinctive curriculum offering academic and clinical training will prepare me for the true world of medicine. This will aid me in my path towards becoming an exemplary physician.

I first learned and introduced to osteopathic medicine by Dr. John Landrum, the director of the FIU Office of Pre-Health Professions. As I begin my undergraduate career here at FIU, I was concerned about my future prospects and curious about continuing my education after earning an undergraduate degree. My appointment with Dr. Landrum in the office was a very informative session. When I told Dr. Landrum of my interest in the study medicine, first question he mentioned to me was “Are you applying to M.D. or D.O. programs?” I was stunned, because at the time I had never heard of osteopathic medicine and thought that there is only one type of medicine, which is allopathic. Then we further discussed about the values and philosophies behind each

I learned about osteopathy through a book by Norman Gevitz called The DOs - Osteopathic Medicine in America. This book sparked my interest in the osteopathic approach to see the body as a single unit where all of its parts must work in harmony to achieve health, the holistic approach. I was flabbergasted to learn of all the tribulations endured and overcome by early osteopaths and in my own way I mirror their legacy with my endeavors to earn a medical degree.

After completing an undergraduate degree, I will then pursue into a medical school. The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, LECOM, is an institution that interests me. LECOM is interested in students that have shown academic success within their science courses, and those who have proven themselves as a well- rounded student throughout all other academic courses. Applicants must complete a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university by the time of enrollment. Applicants must have a minimum 2.7 science grade point average. Successful candidates typically have both science

Since childhood, I have always had a strong desire to pursue medicine as a career. The intricate network of cells, blood, bones, and neurons in the human body has always fascinated me beyond measure. This, and the altruism of medical care convinced me that I could not spend the rest of my life pursuing anything except medicine. After much counsel from my father, who went to medical school himself, and online research, I quickly discovered that the road to an MD degree would not be an easy one. I was not discouraged, rather I became more determined to work hard in school and do whatever I could to achieve my goal: complete 10+ years of education at distinguished universities and become a competent physician. I hope that by attending the College Bridge Program and enrolling in a physiology class at one of the most prestigious schools in the midwest, I will be provided

Sunny days were filled with tropical weather adventures and blissful curiosity, satisfied through exploration. Being raised in Haiti, gave me the chance to interact within a diverse culture. This has shape my optimistic outlook on the future. Growing up in a deprived community, tough times existed, so it was easy to become discouraged, but with a closer look, I soon realized that tougher people existed there too. The caring heart and resilient characteristic that I exude serves as a testament to the values that were carved from a diverse background. I intend to use these qualities to guide me to the realization of my dream, which is practicing medicine as an Osteopathic physician. My family and I later moved to the United States. While adjusting

The Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine has committed itself to providing an exceptional educational experience for the next generation of devoted osteopathic physicians. I have had the time to develop an array of qualities that I can bring to the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. Qualities such as, experience in the medical field, academic knowledge, great personal attitude and the motivation to pursue my true passion of becoming a well-rounded osteopathic physician. During my academic career I was exposed to many challenges that I was able to conquer by motivating myself to excel in my core class. I owe my motivation to succeed to my innate competitive nature. In high school I had the opportunity to be the captain of my wrestling team. The coaches

tested and licensed through the same state licensing boards required to practice medicine in all