Sample 3
I am confident in devoting myself to the practice of surgery. My interest in surgery began with the endocrine research I did with surgically prepared pigs as an undergraduate. What began as a fascination with the anatomical and technical aspects of surgery, has evolved into a mature and realistic vision of the role of surgery in the practice of medicine.
When I started medical school I was interested in primary care because of my experience working with my parents in their Family Practice and Pediatric clinic, and my work at Alivio, an innovative community medical center serving Chicago?s Spanish speaking Pilsen neighborhood. These experiences confirmed my expectation that medicine would satisfy my strong interest in helping people in time of need.
As my clinical experiences broadened in my third year of medical school, my interest in surgery was rekindled. I scrubbed in on my first case during my Pediatrics clerkship when a neurosurgeon recognized that my inquisitive nature was not confined to the wards. With each subsequent case, my understanding of intraoperative events became stronger. I enjoyed the surgeons’s unique opportunity to confirm a clinical diagnosis, observe the pathophysiology, and effect a cure. More significantly, my appreciation for the complexity of the surgeon’s decision making process outside the operating room grew. The fact that the application of knowledge and experience in surgery so often yields immediate and tangible results was tremendously motivating to me.
I resolved to achieve outstanding evaluations in my general surgery clerkship and accomplished my goal through hard work, long hours, a zeal for learning, and strong commitment to team work and mutual learning. I pursued my interest in surgery with electives in Critical Care and Cardiothoracic Surgery.
With the support of several attending surgeons, I made a commitment to pursue a career in surgery. I am confident in my aptitude for this specialty and will continuously strive to provide the best possible patient care.
My three goals for my General Surgery residency are, first, to reach the highest standards of clinical proficiency in surgery. Second, I plan to join ongoing research to develop my skills in research methodology, medical writing, and critical appraisal. And third, I hope to acquire the leadership skills essential to becoming a great surgeon. After residency I plan to pursue fellowship training in Surgical Critical Care.
