Selflessness is a quality required to make a true impact when working in the medical field. It is beneficial for any field of work, but is specifically valuable when taking care of others with medical and/or mental health conditions. I have wanted to help others for as long as I can remember. When I was about five years old, I would do ‘medical check ups’ for my parents and sister with my Doc McStuffins doctor playset. I still have that set in a memory box and can’t wait to have real medical tools one day. I would ask questions and write down their symptoms. Of course that led to my professional medical advice and treatment. My interest in the medical field grew stronger as I watched my grandmother struggle with her health throughout the years. My maternal grandmother suffers from diabetes and dementia. Growing up she lived with my family for many years and I enjoyed helping her with her medication and always checking on her to make sure she was feeling okay. I loved spending time with her and would do my best to help her remember things when she was not having the best day with her memory. Helping my grandmother daily as her health continued to diminish taught me the power of empathy. I could not feel what she was feeling but I always tried to understand and have patience with her. My grandma appreciated that so much and still talks about how much I helped her. I recently came to realize my passion is for the elderly. I truly enjoy spending time with and talking to senior citizens. They are such a delight and have so many stories and ideas to share. In high school, my Interpersonal Studies class wrote letters to ‘Love for our elders’ and I still write letters regularly. This brings me personal enjoyment and I hope brightens someone’s day. I hope one day I can make a difference in people’s lives. My goal is to help treat individuals with medical conditions but also help them live healthier lives. As there are so many advances in medicine, there are also so many things we can do as individuals to advocate for ourselves and our health. Being proactive about your body and health is key. We are each gifted one life and one body. I am optimistic about the future of medicine and personal habits that will help us live healthier lives.

When I was 11 years old I was in a serious car accident and broke my arm. That day was very traumatic and I still remember it like it was yesterday. It was the end of summer and I was with my parents and sister. We had just left my future middle school where I would be starting sixth grade in just a couple of weeks. After being treated in the emergency room, I had a follow up appointment with an orthopedic specialist. That doctor visit inspired me and initiated my interest in the field of medicine and helping people. The doctor’s office was calm and well run. After an x-ray of my arm, the doctor asked for my medical history and visited with us for several minutes. He was genuinely interested in everything I said and wanted to help. Thankfully I did not need surgery but I was in a cast for several weeks. Starting my first year of middle school with the added challenge of learning to write with my right hand (I’m a lefty) was not fun. After six weeks of wearing the cast I was ready to have it removed! Seeing the orthopedic doctor again was pleasant, even if the smell of removing the cast was not haha. Although I had experienced a traumatic event in my life, the doctor visits are what really left a lasting impression in my mind. As the saying goes, a blessing in disguise. The doctor displayed compassion and a true desire to help me as a patient. I was young and impressionable, and was in awe with his knowledge as well as his bedside manner. He was able to treat my injury so effectively, as well as explain everything to me and my parents in terms we would understand, considering we have not attended medical school. This experience changed my life. I am only 18 years old and just starting college but I am confident with my studies and determined to attend medical school. My dream is to be a medical doctor helping patients with their medical needs and also educating them on the treatment etc. Although I may not specifically go into the orthopedic field of medicine, I sincerely want to help people. I am grateful to have met such an amazing orthopedic specialist at such a young age and he truly inspired me. Pediatrics may be a better fit for me as I have a passion for the youth and know they are our future. Regardless of the specialty I pursue, I will be blessed to be able to help people everyday. I hope being a female doctor will allow me to be an inspiration to impressionable young ladies.

At the end of the summer before I started sixth grade I was involved in a serious car accident with my family. Fortunately our truck protected us and we only suffered minimal injuries. My injury was the most serious as I broke my arm. It was very scary and my first experience in an emergency room. I have been blessed with good health and up until that day, would only visit the doctor for my routine check ups and occasional Illnesses. This experience helped me realize I wanted my future career to be in the medical field. As we were seen by nurses and doctors I was intrigued with all the questions, exams and testing. I ended up with my arm in a cast for several weeks. This was difficult for me as it was my left arm, which is my dominant. Learning to write and do everyday things with my right hand was a struggle but I managed and I feel it strengthened my mind and body in the long run. My follow up visit with the orthopedic specialist was exciting! Not only did he remove my cast (which I will never forget the unpleasant smell haha) but he talked to me in depth about the recovery process and how resilient the body and bones are. This further solidified my interest and goal to one day become a medical doctor myself. I have always loved helping people, going back to when I was a young girl and I would play doc mcstuffins with my stuffed animals. Also helping care for my little sister when she was sick brought me so much joy. I truly felt I played an important role in nursing her back to health (even if I was naive, I feel my caring hands and presence definitely helped her). As I near my high school graduation, I feel more confident than ever that I will be a doctor one day. I understand the schooling is intense and lengthy but I know I have what it takes and I am determined to fulfill this lifelong dream. In high school I took many courses that I feel have prepared me for the required college courses. These courses include anatomy, physiology and many health courses. In closing, I am very excited for my future in the healthcare industry. Every person’s health is different and I hope to be able to help, one patient at a time. Healthcare is evolving with technological advancements but bedside manner is still one of the most important qualities a patient looks for in their doctor. I look forward to providing excellent care to each and every patient I treat.