Personal Statement Essay: My Journey To Medicine

One, two, I remember counting my grandfather’s blood pressure pills every evening. At the same time, I would take a syringe, and place the correct amount of insulin in it for my grandmother. Since I was twelve years old, medicine has always been personal. Both of my grandparents were from Libya, spoke no word of English, and were illiterate. This combination made it very difficult for them to manage their own care. I would always accompany them to their medical appointments, and served as the intermediary between the doctor and my grandparents. I remember on numerous occasions, seeing the doctor’s frustration, as he struggled to connect with my grandparents. This had a profound effect on me; it made me interested in medicine
My journey to medicine
This experience was valuable. I observed and understood how clinical diagnosis were made. Every patient that I saw with the provider gave me more insight into the world of medicine. I began to understand medical terminology in greater detail, how to get history from the patient, and how to navigate the EMR. Seeing the providers I worked with in action made me want to emulate them, and become leader of the healthcare team. It was also here at the Urgent Care where I learned about Osteopathic Medicine while working with Dr. Hieu Nguyen. When I worked with her, I noticed something different; her interactions with patients were longer than any other provider. I remember asking Dr. Nguyen about this one day, and she told me osteopathic medicine is about providing holistic care. The idea of looking at the patient as a whole really appealed to me; this increased my interest in osteopathic medicine. She also introduced me to Osteopathic Medical Manipulation. In one case, I remember a patient came in complaining of chronic back pain. He would always take medication for back pain, and wanted a refill for his medication. Dr. Nguyen was hesitant to refill his medication, and she offered the option of OMM to treat the pain. The patient agreed, and I watched as she palpated and manipulated the different muscles and joints. Once Dr. Nguyen finished, the patient felt much better, and was amazed the treatment helped his pain; he then asked where he could go for similar treatment, and Dr. Nguyen said, “you need an osteopathic doctor.” This was an awe inspiring moment for me. I saw how osteopathic medicine could heal patients. I wanted to be this kind of physician, one that provides high quality, whole person care, and makes a valuable difference in the lives of