The story of my parents shifting to the US in the late 80s and overcoming all the obstacles to establish a good life for our family is one of the most profound aspects of my identity. My parents are Irish immigrants who migrated to Lexington, Kentucky in 1988. Against all odds, my father went on to become a board-certified anesthesiologist who further specialized in pain management. The intimate relationship that I share with my father laid the foundation for my interest in anesthesia. Also, from a young age, I harbored deep interest in science as a whole and even back then, I deeply desired to have a career in science. I earned my associate degree in Science from Bluegrass Community and Technical College. I proceeded to work in customer service for two years before I graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. I enrolled in medical school where an in-depth study of the physician code of ethics heightened my passion for medicine as a career.
My father played a substantial role in my decision to pursue anesthesiology as a specialty. He provided a first-hand view of the level of dedication anesthesia and pain management demand. He represents the type of doctor that I aspire to become. Firstly, I want to be a doctor who is always open to learning and adapting my skills to safeguard the health of the patient. Secondly, I want to possess deep insight on the boundaries of the specialty while communicating effectively with the patient’s care team to streamline their care, prevent redundant tests and lapses in care. Lastly, I intend to be the patient’s prime advocate in the operating room with regards to their physiological status while communicating their moment of distress. My father’s career embodied all of these qualities and I intend to inculcate them in mine as well.
Growing up in a large family cemented my ability to interact effectively with other individuals as a team player. The chaos of the large family played an instrumental role in my honing of effective communication skills regardless of differences in opinion. My short tenure as a customer service representative perfected my ability for interacting with people from all walks of life in a respectful and productive manner. I am personally-suited for anesthesiology because I am naturally-inquisitive, have dynamic decision-making skills that utilize multiple variables and hypothesis testing. I also possess the ability to maintain a high level of vigilance and a detail-oriented approach to patient care. My procedural skills are amazing, I thrive in a team dynamic and I adapt to a variety of work environments seamlessly. Lastly, I am an excellent organizer of crucial resources and I am able to provide effective leadership in crisis situations. From a recreational standpoint, I enjoy yoga intertwined with daily exercise for stress relief and emotional compartmentalization. I also enjoy cooking fresh fruits and vegetables that I source from local farmers. I will excel in the residency program because I am a quick thinker and can communicate calmly and clearly the needs of a patient to the surgeon in the chaos of the operating room.
Professionally, I have a short term career goal and a long term career goal. Firstly, I intend to pursue and obtain a residency in anesthesia and complete the basic year in internal medicine and earn a board certification in the same. Secondly, I intend to pursue and obtain board certification in pain management and engage in research on opioid-free alternatives for chronic and terminally associated pain. I expect the residency program to transform me into a well-rounded physician with extensive exposure in the form of pathologies and clinical variants. I also expect the program to equip me with clinical skills and the education that will enable me to avail alternative pain relief for patients that internal and family medicine is unable to.
Finally, I would like to end on what sets me apart from the other applicants of the program. I am persistent, hardworking, and open to constructive criticism and value personal growth. I like to reflect on my past experiences to learn from my mistakes and personal disagreements with my coworkers will not affect my professional performance. Also, I value teamwork and I am not above taking up the duties of a nurse or a medical assistant to learn their dynamics. During my clinic rotations, I often took the initiative to help staff with vitals, drawing blood, giving shots and doing EKGs. I am interested in playing a role in creating an inclusive workplace environment. I aim to be an approachable doctor that others feel comfortable sharing their opinion with.
