“Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also humanity.”
Hippocrates
Several themes have emerged in my life over the years that make me well-suited for a successful career in medicine. From a life-changing accident at the age of seven to a fascination and curiosity of the human body to a passion for research that helps improves the lives of others.
At the young age of seven, I was an ordinary southern child living in rural Fulton, Kentucky. I enjoyed fishing, playing with my dogs, and riding horses. Then one day an accident happened that would change the rest of my life and target my interest in medicine.
My father, brother, and I were in the lot where our horses were kept. On that day I was feeding my horse, Chief. The next minute I woke up in Vanderbilt Hospital with the doctor staring me right in the face. I was told that Chief kicked me behind my right ear. The doctors said that if the horse had kicked me anywhere else, it would have killed me. Before being taken to Vanderbilt, my father took me to the closest hospital immediately after the incident. That was when I met Dr. Gregory Cox. Because of the seriousness of my condition, they decided to rush me in an ambulance to Nashville. I was unconscious for an entire week, and when I woke up, I could hardly remember any of the incident. I was given the sad news that I might never be able to walk again and that devastated me. Hearing this, I felt hopeless; but through physical therapy and many doctor visits, I was able to get back on my horse again. I had to relearn how to talk, walk, and move my arms. However, those doctors saved my life, and I am forever in their debt. To be able to write this personal statement for my application to medical school is unbelievable – nothing short of a small miracle. Therefore, as a result of this near-crippling experience, I want to make a positive impact in the lives of others through medicine the same way as was done for me.
While attending the University of Tennessee at Martin to obtain my undergraduate degree, I was in the honors program and earned status on the Dean’s list multiple times. I also held membership with two honor societies: Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Eta Sigma. Because of volunteering, shadowing, class assignments, and part-time work, there was limited time to accept leadership responsibility with these organizations. Nonetheless, these academic accomplishments prove that I’m quite capable of succeeding in Medical School.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for surgeons and physicians is expected to grow by approximately 18% from 2012 to 2022 in the medical field. This growth projection is faster than average and expected to result in an increase of 123,300 jobs by 2022. CNN Money Magazine reports Anesthesiologists as one of 20 highest paying jobs with a median take-home pay of $290,000. Therefore, not only is Anesthesiology an exciting and challenging career choice that fulfills my passion, but also one that is financially rewarding for highly skilled professionals.
In their 2014 edition, the U.S. News and World Report ranks Vanderbilt University School of Medicine 14th among 114 accredited medical schools. It is now ranks ninth in the nation among U.S. medical schools for total grant support from NIH (National Institute of Health). This is one reason your university was selection, in addition to having a history of excellence in medical education (e.g., balance blend of sciences and clinical experiences, innovative teaching approaches, multiple information resources).
My short-term goal is to become accepted into Medical School, complete course study along with residency, and graduate with honors. During residency training, I will work towards certification from the American Society of Anesthesiologists or American Board of Anesthesiology.
My long-term and ultimate goal is to be a successful Anesthesiologist working at a prestigious hospital. Even though job opportunities are available in outpatient surgical centers, urgent care centers, academic medical centers, private practices, military, etc., I prefer the hospital environment. This setting allows me to provide sedation and pain relief to patients before, during, and after surgery. It also enables close, personal consultation that gives the patient comfort and confidence during a time of stress as was provided during my childhood incident in Kentucky.
The sacred Hippocratic Oath – though there is a “classic” and “modern” version – is one of my favorite readings because it reinforces my belief in healthcare service: “treat the ill to the best of one’s ability.” It describes the basic ethics of medical practice and gives the moral code of conduct for physicians.
As indicated above, I have overcome a life-changing accident; continue to possess a fascination and passion for the human anatomy; and desire to help improve the lives of others. I have successfully fulfilled all undergraduate requirements and eager to progress towards achieving my goals. I am driven, dedicated, and determined - and provided the opportunity, I will rise to meet all academic challenges at your university and become an Anesthesiologist that the Vanderbilt School of Medicine can be proud of.
The Hippocratic Oath
