As a musician and a doctor, for me, music and Medicine are intertwined. I mastered various musical instruments as a child. Little did I know that the highly refined skills developed in musical training - listening, collaboration, empathy, attention to detail, dexterity, and aspiration to excellence - would be of terrific value on my journey through medical training and practice. As a doctor and saxophonist, I have realized there are connections between the skills and training required to become an accomplished musician and the training and skills it takes to be an excellent physician.
Each medical specialty has its own culture, and I find the culture of anesthesiology to be the subspeciality that comes closest to a musical performance. While in medical school, I found satisfaction in volunteering to perform with the saxophone or the flute for patients in oncology and pediatric wards. It was always psychologically rewarding, especially when patients told me that my music reduced their anxieties and eased their pain. These experiences were both emotional and rewarding for me; since then, I decided to specialize in anesthesiology, which has everything to do with comforting patients in pain and stressful periods of recovery from surgery.
Born and raised in Nigeria, a country with about 250 distinct ethnic groups, I served diverse patients and worked with medical professionals of many backgrounds. I was raised in the southern part of the country and grew up speaking the Yoruba Language. However, after medical school and internship, I was privileged to be posted as a medical officer to serve patients in the rural communities of Northern Nigeria, where the language is entirely different. Initially, this posed a cultural challenge due to the language barrier. However, for the next three years, I took it upon myself to learn the Hausa language and did all I could for as many patients as possible, including all-too-many patients battered and traumatized by the Boko Haram terrorist group. Many patients were in very severe conditions, and our hands were always tied by a lack of medical resources and supplies. Nevertheless, even in these resource-limited settings, my efforts were wholeheartedly directed toward providing the best possible care for my patient.
Since the beginning of my medical career, one of my goals has been to engage in biomedical research ranging from fundamental molecular biology studies to clinical trials. To get equipped for this, I left Nigeria for the United States to pursue a master's in molecular biotechnology. The extensive training, I received in basic laboratory research has further refined my abilities to collaborate with scientists of various backgrounds, design hypotheses, and execute complex experimental protocols that will serve me well in clinical research in Anesthesiology.
Moving to the United States to continue my education and start a new life was initially challenging. but the change in environment and education system resulted in a steep, rigorous, and sustained learning curve.
Throughout my life, I have excelled in tasks that require intense concentration, attention to detail, and multitasking. I believe these traits can help me in anesthesiology training and practice. Years of playing music in an intense and challenging environment have reinforced my calmness and concentration during stressful situations. I passionately believe these skills will help me to excel in the anesthesiology residency program.
Thank you for considering my application.
Successful Residency Anesthesiology Personal Statement