Sample Residency Personal Statement

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Sample Personal Statement #1

NAME

It was my senior year of college. Two of my close friends, my lab partner and his wife were about to have their first child After months of anticipation and two false alarms the day finally arrived Her membranes ruptured and she was four centimeters dilated. Nervous but excited we were led into labor room two. She and the baby were monitored continuously and she was intermittently examined throughout the day Six hours later her first stage of labor ended-she was ten centimeters dilated and ready to push.

My reasons for pursuing a career in Obstetrics and Gynecology are numerous. The field offers a unique combination of primary care and a surgical subspecialty. Primary care allows for continuity of care leading to the development of trusting, long-term relationships and the delivery of comprehensive, quality care. In addition to managing patients medically it affords the opportunity for surgical intervention if necessary. Also, as an Obstetrician/ Gynecologist I would have the opportunity to care for women of all ages and be part of a dynamic field that is both intellectually challenging and rewarding.

On the monitor I could see another contraction mounting. With a determined voice I said, "You can do it Naniah! Focus, breath, and p-u-s-h. We could clearly see the top of the baby's head With the next big contraction an episiotomy was cut and shortly qfler my close friends Carlos and Naniah were presentedwith their first child--a baby girl. Her cord was clamped and cut. As she let out a strong cry I was overcome with emotion; I could feel my eyes fill with tears. It was a day I would never forget.

There are several reasons I believe I am a strong candidate for your residency program and well-suited for a career in Obstetrics and Gynecology. First, I am confident in my ability to take principal responsibility for management of my patients medical problems and successfully execute the daily tasks expected of me as a resident in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Secondly, my work as a Physical Therapist Assistant taught me goals can be accomplished with persistence and determination. These capabilities will get me through difficult surgical procedures and prolonged, complicated deliveries. Thirdly, I believe I possess the mechanical ability, manual dexterity, and leadership qualities critical in a surgical subspecialty. As a teacher for autistic children and a leader of various organizations I learned skills that will enable me to set priorities, delegate responsibilities, and organize activities both in and out of the operating room. Lastly, I am a compassionate person devoted to helping and caring for others. Whether it be an Oncology patient in her final days of life, an infertile couple trying to conceive a child, or an Obstetrical patient who miscarried a desired pregnancy, I can empathize with their situation and make a difference in their lives.

The fundus rose in her abdomen, the cord lengthened, and there was a gush of blood shortly followed by the delivery of the placenta. They massaged her uterus, repaired the episiotomy, and cleaned her up. Snuggled in a blanket with a little pink knitted cap, Gabrielle Marie was gently laid on her mother's chest. Naniah looked exhausted yet content with the small miracle she held in her arms.

My career goals include enrolling in a residency program that will develop my clinical and technical skills, promote patient education and prevention, encourage participation in community service, and concern itself with ethical issues in medicine. Upon successfully completing residency I plan to commit myself to the underserved as part of my National Health Service Corps Scholarship. I have a special interest in helping the indigent in our community and anticipate this being a rewarding time in my life. Furthermore, being a Humanities Scholar has increased my awareness of ethical dilemmas in medicine, an interest I plan to pursue by serving on an ethical committee of a hospital. Ultimately, I hope to establish a shelter for pregnant women and teens to provide them with basic needs, prenatal care, counseling, and support. Despite my many goals I will still find time to enjoy personal interests and spend quality time with my family.

Currently, Carlos is a resident in Internal Medicine, Naniah is a student at the University of Pennsylvania, and Gabrielle is a kindergartner at Saint Bridget's. It's hard to believe how quickly time passes; it was only five years ago when we were gathered for the birth of their baby girl. That day strong bonds were formed and memories were created that will undoubtedly continue to last a lifetime.


Sample Personal Statement #2

PERSONAL STATEMENT - NAME

After enjoying every clinical rotation during my third year I thought it would be difficult to choose a specialty, but ultimately it was an easy decision. By the end of my third year, I suspected that Emergency Medicine was right for me. This belief was confirmed on the first day of my fourth-year Emergency Medicine elective and continued through my Pediatric Emergency Medicine elective. The variety of clinical encounters, procedures, and degrees of illness makes Emergency Medicine extremely appealing to me. Being the first physician to assess the patient's needs, provide treatment, and recommend a next step for continued treatment is both challenging and gratifying. Each new patient presents something different and each will provide a learning opportunity at all phases of my career.

My past experiences have helped me develop qualities that are essential for the practice of Emergency Medicine. My hard work and motivation to learn have enabled me to develop a broad foundation of knowledge and clinical skills. My service on the Honor Court as president and as a representative, and my participation on faculty committees has fostered leadership, decision-making, and communication skills that will be valuable whether I am working with students, house officers, faculty members, or consultants. My many years of varsity soccer have helped me to strengthen my mental and physical endurance, discipline and teamwork. Developing a tuberculosis screening clinic and working with people with HIV who were addicted to drugs heightened my sensitivity and my desire to work with patients from all backgrounds. My supportive wife, parents, and brothers, and interests outside of medicine, including running, soccer, tennis, and music, provide me with a necessary balance in my life. They have also helped me develop the strength and vision necessary to accomplish my goals within and outside of my medical career.

I would like to continue my education in an academic residency program which includes a varied patient population and ample opportunities to obtain the training and skills that a competent Emergency Medicine physician needs. I look forward to involvement in research opportunities so that I might contribute to the exciting and rapidly growing field of Emergency Medicine research. I will consider completing a fellowship after I have had some experience as a house officer. I intend to make teaching part of my career, as a way to continue my academic, clinical, and personal growth. My ultimate goal is to improve the practice and delivery of Emergency Medicine as a leader and teacher in the setting in which I practice.

Thank you for your consideration. I look ahead to the next phase of my training with great excitement and strong commitment.




Sample Personal Statement #3

Personal Statement Life experience has uniquely prepared me for a residency in emergency medicine. I was born in Baton Rouge Louisiana in 1957. My father was a plumber and my mother was a Mexican immigrant who left school in third grade. My parents had great hopes for me; my mom encouraged me to go to college and my father would read books about science, such as The Origin of the Species, with me. But there was a secret at home. My mother, my siblings and I were victims of domestic abuse. Although I dreamed of being a doctor, my aspirations were limited by my chaotic home environment and by my parents' impoverishment. And so at the age of eighteen, I married and left home.

.As the wife of a successful businessman I relished raising my two sons. Outwardly life was idyllic. My greatest desire was to go to college, but my husband was opposed. Against his wishes, I took two classes a semester for nine years. Eventually I finished my bachelors degree in interior design, a field he found acceptable. But I was still interested in science. When my children would go to the doctor, I would come home and read about their illnesses. Attracted by the excitement and variety of emergency medicine, I eventually started volunteering in a level one trauma center. I soon became a weekend night regular at the emergency department, helping and learning when I could. Finally in 1994, 1 left my children with their father and stepmother, and entered medical school. It was the most difficult choice I have ever made.

Emergency medicine has been a natural choice for me. It provides the intellectual challenge of diversity and change while requiring poise under pressure. In particular it demands concentration to deal with acute disease processes. Motherhood gives you nerves of steel. It has taught me to think quickly and remain focused under stressful conditions. It has also taught me patience and diligence, conditions of parenthood. As a working mom who was also studying pre-medicine, I developed tremendous mental and physical stamina. I learned to manage and execute multiple tasks, a skill that would be an asset in any busy emergency room. At the same time, because of my early life experiences, I do not shy away from the many complex social issues that confront the emergency physician. I will never forget the sacred trust I hold with my patients, especially those who feel powerless and who turn to the medica' professionals for help. To fulfill these social convictions, I have sought further training in recognizing and treating domestic abuse; I participated in two workshops offered by Physicians for Social Responsibility addressing this topic. In addition, I was awarded a National Medical Fellowships Substance Abuse Treatment and Research Fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania as a third year medical student.

After residency, I would like to practice emergency medicine in an urban medical center. Ultimately my goal is to be the best clinician possible, while serving in an academic setting. There is an enthusiasm in the teaching environment that energizes me; I would like to pass that excitement along to those that follow me. In addition, teaching requires one to broaden their knowledge base and procedural skills. Most importantly, I would also like to educate students of medicine towards issues of domestic and substance abuse, especially as it impacts the in the emergency department setting. Completing four years of medical school has been the fulfillment of a dream for me. It is through emergency medicine that I feel that I can serve best. Thank you for your consideration.

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PERSONAL STATEMENT #4

Medicine encompasses numerous areas that I have always found intriguing. Becoming a physician is a life long dream that will fulfill both my personal and career goals. I feel privileged to have found a career that will allow me to accomplish all my aspirations; learning about the human body, helping people and educating them to take better care of their health.

Throughout my clinical rotations, I have found countless professors and physicians who were exceptionally willing to share their knowledge and experiences with me. I’ve also come to learn that being a teacher is a very critical part of being a physician. Education goes beyond attendings and their students/residents, it also caries over to patients. Explaining, communicating, and helping individuals understand and cope with their illness is an integral part of practicing medicine. One of my patients, whom we will call Mr. Smith, was diagnosed with a reentrant tachyarrhythmia. During my visit one morning, the cardiologist came to inform Mr. Smith of his findings. In addition, the doctor advised the patient to return so they can discuss the possibility of catheter ablation. I immediately sensed fear in Mr. Smith’s eyes. After the cardiologist left the room, I asked him if he had any questions. He was silent for a while, then asked, “So what is wrong with my heart?” I thoroughly and fundamentally explained what a PVC was and the procedures necessary to assist him. I answered all Mr. Smith’s questions until he felt comfortable with the knowledge of his condition. I went back to see Mr. Smith on the day he was to be discharged and reiterated the importance of following up with the cardiologist. Prior to leaving, Mr. Smith looked at me with a smile on his face and said “Thank you for everything, you will make a great doctor”. Mr. Smith’s comment left me speechless and humbled. It was at that point I realized the importance of educating your patients.

Upon completion of my rotations, I felt most complete in Internal Medicine. I found Internal Medicine to be most rewarding at the end of the day. I found great enjoyment in the intellectual stimulation and working with adults. I have many attributes to contribute to internal medicine; I’m dedicated and loyal to my cause, I have great listening skills as well as interpersonal skills, I’m a critical thinker and problem solver. As a decisive thinker, I plan to use deductive reasoning to reach a diagnosis from the data obtained about a patient. Moreover, Internal medicine has much to offer in return such as the diversity of medical conditions and the comprehensive medical care over long periods of time. Furthermore, I find the challenges of treating a broad range of illness enjoyable and rewarding.

On a personal note, I feel that being a physician is a privilege and an honor that should not be taken lightly. The responsibility of caring for one’s health is both significant and fulfilling. To treat an ill individual and nurse them back to health is awe-inspiring. I’m reminded of a quote that I once read which states that “medical education is not completed in medical school: it is only begun”. Thus far, my journey has been most gratifying and has reached beyond all my expectations. I look forward to the challenges and endeavors to come. The road to medicine is not about the destiny but the journey itself and I look forward to that journey.



PERSONAL STATEMENT #5

Medical school has been a time of profound personal, emotional, and, intellectual growth. My journey has been molded by the passing of my grandparents, the gratefulness of patients I have encountered, and the example of inspiring attending physicians. After having the opportunity to rotate through many specialties as a student, I believe what has been said by many: “Internists are who people think of when they think of a doctor.” Through my experiences, internal medicine embodies what I envision a physician to be: compassionate, respected, and knowledgeable. I am looking forward to a career in internal medicine for the intellectual stimulation that will challenge me, the opportunity to provide continuous care for my patients, and the opportunity to be an advocate for both patients and fellow physicians.

My grandmother passed away just as I was beginning medical school, and my grandfather passed away early during my second year. During the end-stages of their lives I found myself traveling back and forth between school in the Midwest and home in Arizona as many as three times a month to help with their care. I observed hospital care from the point-of-view of the patient and the patient’s family including the day-to-day concerns for quality of life. Being there during my grandparents’ final weeks of life and being able to let them know how important they were to me was a valuable experience. Someday, I will be taking care of someone’s grandmother or grandfather or uncle or sister. And I will remember my experience with my own grandparents.

I was also inspired by what medicine could do for my patients. During my junior medicine clerkship I found a niche where I could play an important role. With fewer responsibilities I could spend more time with my patients explaining in treatments and diagnostics in more detail. One of my patients who had been admitted for recurring chest pain, told me that he and his wife were moved by my calming influence throughout his course in the E.D. and upon admission to the telemetry floor. Encouraged by these experiences, I was inspired to learn about my patient’s condition for my personal intellectual stimulation as well as for the education my patient. Internists are well-respected for their knowledge and ability to manage complex cases. I enjoy solving complex problems in a systemic and methodical manner. I believe that armed with the knowledge that an internal medical residency could equip me with, I could treat the whole person: their emotional needs as well as their medical needs. I would have the opportunity to continue to care for my patients, work with them to prevent future symptoms, and develop lasting friendships.

I have been further inspired by my attendings during my rotations. Despite managed care time restraints, I physicians who took the time to explain and give comfort to their patients. These were the doctors I would like to become someday: doctors who are knowledgeable and skilled, thorough but efficient, and acting as compassionate allies in a place where there is pressure to discharge patients as quickly as possible. In my career I plan to be a strong advocate for my patients, while also being an advocate for physicians in the increasingly complex and difficult world of medicine. Prior to medical school, during my study of public health and during my experience as a Congressional Intern, I was interested in the future of health care with its concerns with cost, accessibility, and physician liability. Physicians have a special role in society as they are trusted by patients and respected by policy makers, allowing us to be strong advocates for our patients and our community.
I have been inspired to continue my education in internal medicine in a strong academic residency program. I would also like to complete a fellowship following my completion of residency with plans to practice in an urban or suburban environment. I look forward to a career in internal medicine with the hope to provide compassionate care, to receive intellectual stimulation, and to build life-long friendships with patients and colleagues.


PERSONAL STATEMENT #6

My decision to enter medicine is a coalescence of several driving forces. My admiration and respect for doctors and their noble work is one of my primary reasons for wanting to pursue a career in medicine. The other is the simple fact that the vast ocean of knowledge, the continual advances in treatment, and the ability to cure disease fascinate me. In medical school, my open mind and experiences in a wide range of specialties were key factors in my personal growth and career objectives.

During my internal medicine rotations, I worked with a variety of patients, from a range of economic, social and cultural backgrounds, and featuring a wide range of conditions. While I mastered the techniques of taking patient histories and conducting thorough physical examinations, each patient taught me something new. I actively involved myself in my ward duties and routine diagnostic procedures to gain hands-on experience, willingly stayed up late discussing cases and monitoring patients with my colleagues, and eagerly spent my free hours sitting in the wards, interacting with and educating patients about their diseases. Long interested in education and community outreach, I also plunged into various community services including HIV counseling, rural school health checkups and health camps organized by my institution. Helping the underprivileged have a positive outlook on life and bringing smiles to their faces, during medical school and my time in India, has been extremely rewarding.

After graduating from medical school, I had the opportunity to serve as the medical officer in charge of forty-two villages in rural India, with a population of 33,000. While managing an outpatient clinic, antenatal and post-natal care, deliveries, and patient admissions, I matured as a physician and learned to apply my education in a clinical setting. I also carried out various national health programs including the World Health Organization's Malaria Control, Universal Immunization, Maternal and Child health, and Leprosy Control programs.

During a rainy season, a cholera epidemic struck one of the villages and flooded the hospital with patients. My colleague and I went from house to house, educating people about the importance of sanitation and chlorination of water, but despite our efforts, the epidemic spread to the neighboring villages. Although I felt helpless and angry at the lack of technology and resources that bound my hands, my colleagues and I decided to fight as a team. Nursing sick people back to health gave me my first taste of satisfaction as a physician and helped me to appreciate the severity and complexity of healthcare issues today.

I intend to take full advantage of a residency program in internal medicine and to use the knowledge I acquire there to heal patients and train others interested in the field. My diverse life experiences have helped me realize that I possess the determination, resilience, mental strength and compassion to succeed as a valuable asset to a medical team. I want to be a resource for my patients and a source of continual medical care. Considering the strong healthcare system, numerous opportunities for research, and advanced technology in America, this is where I see my dream coming true.


Personal Statement #7

I was born and brought up in the picturesque countryside of Kerala. I was taught in a Christian school that encouraged close interaction among students and teachers for fuller development of an honest and compassionate personality. From the beginning itself science related subjects fascinated me for they represented a natural inquisitiveness and curiosity that is a distinctive feature of the human mind. My schooling was punctuated with numerous scholarships and awards for my proficiency in these subjects. In high school I decided to go for a career in Medicine as it involves the unique responsibility of helping and caring for people while also providing a continuing intellectual challenge. To make a patient, who initially presents frightened and anxious, to relax and smile and say thank you, after getting appropriately treated with a compassionate and humane attitude, appears to me to be the greatest reward any human being can ask for. My hard-work, commitment and sincerity paid off when I was selected to the premiere medical institute of my country-in fact South Asia-All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS); where only the top 34 students of a country of a billion people get admission after a stiff & competitive entrance examination.
The atmosphere of this Institute encourages free thought and has been an ideal fertile ground for some of the best clinicians and medical scientists of the country. The unique mode of teaching in this Institute involves case studies, case discussions, integrated seminars and lectures that help in developing a sound theoretical base. AIIMS being the nodal center in the health services of the nation attracts a large number of patients representing a broad spectrum of conditions. I was fortunate in being exposed to such cases and I could learn the most modern methods of management employed to effect a cure and alleviate the suffering of these people. However such a large load of patients has led to an overload of facilities available here and the desired focus on research is lost sometimes. The internship rotation further consolidated my clinical skills and made my desire to be amongst the highest order research facility even more acute. The academic facilities in US institutions are amongst the best in the world and so I decided to apply here. During my undergraduation, my curiosity in exploring the socio-cultural aspects of diseases prompted me to become the Batch Leader and along with my colleagues I completed four community based research projects, in addition to lots of health talks and street plays dealing with the social cancers of smoking, alcoholism and AIDS. These activities have helped me get an insight into this oft-forgotten aspect of Medicine.
My interest in Internal Medicine for Residency is centered on the fact that of all branches of Medicine it remains the one where a comprehensive care-plan for the patient involving all aspects of management is developed. The ability to extract from a mass of contradictory physical signs and volumes of laboratory data those items that are of crucial significance; to know in a difficult case whether to treat or to watch; and to estimate in any given clinical scenario whether a proposed treatment entails a greater risk than the disease itself are all involved in the decisions that an internist must make many times a day and therein lies the thrill of Internal Medicine. Besides, Internal Medicine throws open a multitude of fascinating sub-specialties and branches for research and fellowship.
After finishing my MBBS, I decided to strengthen my knowledge in basics-and Microbiology came to my mind first. In a developing country like India, plagued by infectious diseases, a Microbiology Lab is the hub of all activities. The postings in Bacteriology and Tuberculosis Lab fascinated me and provided me with an insight into these all-important fields.My passions are Karate and swimming. My leadership abilities came into the limelight when I was unanimously elected as the Class Representative for two consecutive years of final MBBS. My personal experiences have taught me compassion for the sick and an ability to identify with them in a unique way. My karate training has given me self-confidence, drive and initiative; when something needs to be done, I do it. I never quit until a job is complete, and a job is never completed unless done correctly. I have always pushed myself hard because I knew I could do better. In medical school I studied the material because it was essential to the care of the patients I will one day see. In addition to possessing drive, compassion and integrity, I learn quickly and apply knowledge to benefit my patients.
I seek a residency program that will provide a solid teaching foundation by both faculty and residents and a broad clinical experience in both inpatient and ambulatory settings. I welcome the opportunity for clinical research during my training. I want to work with people who are also passionate about their work and are well rounded in their lifestyles. Most importantly, I want a program that fosters a team atmosphere where faculty and residents work together for the patient's welfare.
I am committed to working sincerely in my residency training and am pledged to devote all my energies towards this end.