Not long after finishing medical school in India in 2014, I immigrated to America, the land of opportunity, especially if one is a physician who seeks an immersion experience in Cardiology. In preparation for a lifetime of giving my all to Cardiology with an eye toward public health, I earned my MPH Degree at XXXX in 2018. Next, I began a residency position in Internal Medicine at XXXX’s Medical Center. I now hope to be selected for a fellowship program in Interventional Cardiology, my chosen specialty and the focus of my future efforts concerning research and practice. For years, I have read about Cardiology and cardiovascular diseases widely in my free time. Nothing has brought me great satisfaction in my efforts to stay up-t0-date in this field. I was balancing my efforts in our area's clinical and research aspects. On the level of research, I hope to pay incredibly close attention to the toll cardiovascular disease takes on women. Women have long been a concern for me, especially underserved women back home in my native India. As a volunteer back home, I helped them learn about the importance of nutrition, especially iron-deficiency anemia, doing their blood work for free and providing them with iron tablets to address low Hb. One September evening in New York, I decided to enjoy the seashore breeze and a little bit of the icy water on my bare feet. Before I knew it, I was swept into the sea by a rip-current wave. I am still alive today because of that lifeguard who fearlessly jumped in the ocean and pulled me out, those paramedics who handled my PEA status with CPR and shock, the ER team who made a timely decision of rapid intubation to secure my airway, and finally, the physicians and nurses who oversaw my recovery. I would not be alive today if a single link in the chain of responders who gave me a second chance at life had faltered. This was my first-hand, near-death experience that helped me appreciate the link between human life and the heart's beat.
My initial years in the United States earning my MPH Degree helped me to learn to step out of my comfort zone and focus on leading a purposeful life. In India, I usually had help from a close-knit family. But when I moved to New York, I had to overcome life’s hurdles alone. I learned to see something positive in every problematic situation and develop fortitude through faith. I am stronger than before and more disciplined and appreciative of my family and friends as they give me strength even from a distance and keep me grounded. My interest in Cardiology started in medical school when I became intrigued by the intricate nature of cardiac circuits. During my IM residency, while serving on a dedicated cardiac floor team, I came across various fascinating cases, such as a 47-year-old female with a history of postpartum cardiomyopathy who repeatedly presented to the emergency department with chest pain and was found to have multiple spontaneous coronary artery dissections. Considering the rarity of this disease, I immersed myself in the multidisciplinary management of this case, and that is when I realized that I had indeed set my heart on the HEART. Moreover, my exposure to the procedural aspects of the field, including cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology labs, watching all sorts of procedures, including ablations for atrial fibrillation, Mitra Clip placements, and placement/removal of loop recorders, took my love for cardiology to another level and now I find myself absolute committed to this field of medicine for life.
Having met people from different countries and diverse cultures has helped me grow emotionally and expand my knowledge about other parts of the world. Two years of extensive training during the MPH Program at Mount Sinai broadened my horizons to serve the community at a preventative level. In contrast, intense residency training at St. Vincent’s Medical Center has given me the confidence to become a diligent physician and practice evidence-based medicine. The inpatient experience of the COVID pandemic has refined my powers of clinical judgment, weighing the risks and benefits of different available treatments available, despite our shortage of PPE. It has been incredibly inspiring to see all healthcare workers, including physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, etc., tirelessly working together and fearlessly putting their own lives at risk. It is a great honor to be part of the team fighting this global pandemic. Thank you for considering my application.
Fellowship in Cardiology Personal Statement