I am a young man from India who grew up in Montreal, Canada. I have worked for many years towards the goal of becoming a surgeon and I count myself especially fortunate to share the world of medicine with my wife, who is also Indian and a physician. She is currently in a residency program in Internal Medicine at XXXX Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona. For a variety of reasons, until now, we have placed a priority on my wife's career and now that she is happily settled into a residency position, and I am hoping to find one as well. Thus, I am looking for a residency position in Arizona, so that we can be near each other. We feel strongly that we are both better doctors when we can be together.
I have always wanted to do surgery and I love being in the operating room and working with my hands. My colleagues and mentors have assured me that I have great skill as a surgeon. I feel most satisfied when I am in the OR, the mix of adrenaline and excitement and it is hard to see myself doing anything else. Being a leader, the responsibility for the patient's life in your hands; I am drawn to the hands-on nature of surgery. I have long cultivated great skill in my hands, fixing problems, and this has helped to provide me with the confidence to become a surgeon.
I like the way that surgeons are constantly challenged by patients with extremely complicated conditions and forced to make critically important decisions almost immediately. It is indeed an intellectual challenge to take scattered pieces of a puzzle and mold them into a final diagnosis and treatment plan. I deeply appreciate the immense diversity and enormous variety of problems that one faces in general surgery, and this is why I have chosen to develop a special focus in this area of medicine.
I am excited about the immense practical opportunities that practicing surgery affords for professional growth. Thus, I am looking for a residency position in surgery or internal medicine and would very much prefer an Arizona location. I was accepted at XXXX Hospital in Phoenix, AZ for a PGY1 position in the General Surgery program for 2007-2008, but since my ECFMG certification did not come through, I was unable to fulfill the program's prerequisites.
I feel strongly that my current position has provided me with additional valuable experience that will be of benefit to my future practice. I am a lead investigator on an epidemiologic study of ventilator associated pneumonia in adult trauma patients with the Department of Trauma Surgery at XXXX Hospital in Phoenix, AZ. I hope very much to be accepted into a medical residency program in Arizona where I could continue to be heavily involved with research and publication as part of my residency. I look forward to a long and productive professional life as a practicing surgeon and someday also having the privilege of fellowships in the areas of surgery and internal medicine.
I am particularly attracted to the practice of trauma surgery as I find this area especially challenging and exciting. I see education as a lifelong, daily process and I would like to teach, as well, at some point later in my career.
Through my volunteer work at several hospitals, I was able to visualize much more accurately what my life would be like as a doctor, my window to the future. Besides being actively involved in school activities, I have always found time to give back to the community and maintain an extremely healthy and conscientious attitude towards life. Serving as Captain of the volleyball and rugby teams, Certified Lifeguard, and Vice President of Finance, I have incorporated a healthy balance of academics, athletics, and leadership into my university experience. As a Big Brother for children in St. Lucia, we set up an after-school program for local children and my years of experience as a team athlete have helped me to learn how to inspire others and lead as well as follow.
At 29, I feel like I am at my optimal point to begin practicing surgery full time: I have an exceedingly high energy level and steady concentration with a quick focus and controlled response. I am looking forward to long hours, many frustrations, and increasing awareness of the limitations as well as opportunities that exist in a fast paced, very rigorous medical environment. I am an enormously hard worker who possesses a wealth of medical and technical knowledge. Most of all, I am a compassionate young man and an exceptionally good listener with a practiced sense of humor.
In addition to research, I am currently keeping up my medical education by attending all trauma/grand rounds and lectures at St. Joseph's Hospital in the department of Trauma/General Surgery and serving as a webmaster for the development and maintenance of an interactive website for the Trauma Service of the State of Arizona.
Later in life, I hope to give something back to humanity by donating my time as a physician in the developing world, my native India. I am a well-traveled man who has seen much of Europe, the USA, and Canada and gotten to know many diverse cultures; these experiences are some of my greatest treasures, heightening my profound respect for differences in cultural values and customs and the importance of being respectful of those differences. I look forward to giving my all to my patients from all levels of society, cultural backgrounds, and social groups. And I want to thank you for your consideration of my application.
Personal Statement for Residency in Trauma Surgery
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