Internal Medicine Residency Personal Statement #3

The realization that specializing in Internal Medicine was my goal came about during my Internal Medicine rotation, during my Internship year in South Africa. A month into my rotation, my supervisor had to go on leave and I was left to care for the ward patients and to take calls on my own. The department head was available for consultation and support, but having been thrown into the deep end, my confidence increased tremendously. [ad#bannermain]This was my first experience at being the sole initial decision maker, ordering studies and treating patients on my own, in addition to referring patients for specialist consultation when indicated.

During this period, I also learned many procedures, including the insertion of central lines, intercostal drains and hemodialysis catheters, pleural and peritoneal aspiration, as well as endotracheal intubation. I became competent in managing medical emergencies and resuscitations, and grew to be passionate about Internal Medicine. The spectrum of diseases seen in this specialty fascinated me. I admire building long-term relationships with my patients, delivering comprehensive healthcare from adolescence to geriatrics, playing a vital role in preventative medicine and health promotion, and having the capability to treat all organ systems and pathological conditions.

My family moved from the United States to South Africa when I was four years old. I completed my schooling and tertiary education, with dual degrees in Medicine and Pharmacy, in South Africa. Training in South Africa gave me the advantage of learning medicine with modern medical education facilities and the benefit of treating the pathologies found in a developing country. At one end of the spectrum, I have observed the effects of HIV/AIDS in 25% of the population, the aftermath of visiting a traditional healer and at times, I had to use only my clinical judgment to diagnose diseases, when no diagnostic equipment was available. At the other end of the spectrum, I experienced treating cancers, the consequences of obesity and using the most advanced medical technologies. This merger of First and Third World medicine, in addition to my experiences with patients from extreme socio-economic environments and diverse cultural backgrounds, has enabled me to easily adjust to, and manage patients from changing populations. It has also given me the advantage of being able to adapt to practicing medicine in the United States without difficulty.

Having managed a vast range of pathological conditions, and gaining postgraduate Internal Medicine and Critical Care training in South Africa, I have acquired considerable clinical skills and the ability to make sound diagnostic and therapeutic decisions, while working with integrity and compassion. Possessing organizational skills has given me the advantage of multitasking. My strong interpersonal skills allow me to work comfortably in a multidisciplinary team and to communicate information, as well as being able to build professional relationships with colleagues, patients and their families. I am hardworking, dedicated to my patients, and always eager to learn new skills to broaden my clinical knowledge.
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After completing a rotation as a Medical Officer in the Medical Intensive Care Unit at a university affiliated hospital, I decided to move back to the United States, where I was born, with the intention to further my career and fulfill my dreams of becoming an internist, in an advanced medical system with the finest training possibilities. I envision training at a residency program that serves a diverse patient group. I admire a program that has a focus on teaching, with an ideal integration of clinical and educational productivity. I appreciate friendly colleagues who value teamwork and who provide support and guidance when necessary. Once I have completed my Internal Medicine residency, my ultimate career goal is a fellowship in Pulmonology and/or Critical Care. I am enthusiastic about the prospect of furthering my training by completing an Internal Medicine residency in the United States as the first step towards my career goals.