Sample Orthopedics Residency Personal Statement Example #1

“My wife wore out my hips,” the elderly man stated with a mischievous grin while his wife rolled her eyes.  Later that week I had the opportunity to assist in the first of his bilateral total hip replacements.  It was the first week of my MS-3 orthopedic surgery rotation and my first exposure to the specialty that would become my passion. Assisting in the total hip arthroplasty and the subsequent follow up with my patient, I was able to observe how a mechanically complex, physically intensive surgery was able to drastically improve a man’s quality of life and restore him to the active lifestyle he had been accustomed to.  I found orthopedic surgery to be a hands on approach to solving complex human problems that not only resulted in improved physical well being but psychological well being, as patients progressed from a slow, arthritic shuffle to a cane-free, painless, confident stride.  I witnessed patients’ joy as they returned to the sports and physical activities that gave their lives fulfillment.  Being able to play a role in this transformation, in turn gave me fulfillment, and I fell in love with orthopaedic surgery.

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I spent the rest of my 3^rd year of orthopaedic rotation learning all that I could about the field, anxious to glean every bit of information possible.  I began to participate in the orthopaedic surgery interest group, attended national conferences and volunteered in orthopaedic clinic whenever I could.  All of these efforts increased my interest in orthopedic surgery, but it was actually my commitment to my country that solidified my desire.

In 2005, soon after the start of the war, I became a commissioned officer in the Medical Corps of the United States Armed Forces.   I wanted to tailor my medical interests to pursue a surgical subspecialty that would be most useful and essential in military medicine.  Orthopedic surgery is a specialty of particular importance in the military where, unfortunately, our sailors, marines, soldiers and airmen often require reconstruction of limbs and joints from injuries sustained in the line of duty.  Armed with a passion for orthopedics and an appreciation of its utility in the military, I applied for an orthopedic internship at one of the three accredited naval medical centers.  Unfortunately, I was not granted one of the twelve internship positions available in the Armed Forces, and am currently a transitional year intern.  Not to be deterred, I elected to do an orthopedic rotation.  My excellent work ethic, diligence, skills and knowledge were recognized and I earned honors on the rotation, a mark reserved only for the top 10% of all interns rotating through orthopedics.

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My transitional year has prepared me to be an asset to my future orthopedic program.   I have enjoyed the opportunity to manage outpatient care for hand, spine, sports, total joint and foot and ankle orthopedic patients.  Through my other surgical specialty electives I have gained a better understanding of preoperative care.  My ICU rotation has prepared me for effectively handling emergent post-surgical complications, and months on internal medicine will expand my repertoire for managing patients’ co-morbidities.  These acquired skills and knowledge will enable me to be a productive member of an orthopedic surgery team.

I am excited to embark on my career in orthopaedic surgery.  I desire to participate in a program that excels in preparing graduates with surgical skills and academic knowledge, has a diverse patient population, and provides exposure to a variety of cases.  I look forward to working with fellow house staff who enjoy their work and are passionate about providing optimum patient care.  In the future I plan to use my skills to enable people to regain function in their lives to pursue their own passions.