Professional Summary
Personal Statement
Grandpa Bob was a giant man replete with a big ascitic belly atop massive edematous legs. His skin was coarse and dry from 82 years of outdoor labor. His lips were locked in pursed formation to satisfy his overworked lungs. He walked with a limp to overcome a painful knee that he injured back in 1965 while reeling in the championship pike. Growing up, these now-obvious signs of pathology were things I simply recognized as his quirks. After Bob passed away during my second year of medical school, his quirks became a lesson for me. I realized that his leg swelling was from heart failure and that his distended stomach was from cirrhosis. I hypothesized that the scaly patches on his skin were indicative of cancer, and that he was likely suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease from years of smoking. Although these diagnoses were disheartening, my ability to formulate and comprehend them gave Bob’s life new meaning. As I left his cozy hospice room shortly before his passing, Bob told me that he hoped to live to see me graduate. Even though we will not share that moment, his story will forever be immortalized in my future patient encounters, better connecting me to the people behind the MRN numbers. I am thus inspired to help loved ones to enjoy their Bobs for another day.
Why I Chose Cincinnati
I really wanted a forward-thinking program that was also a forward-moving program. The UC internal medicine program is a national leader in medical education and a pioneer in curricular innovation. While researching the program, I was impressed by its systematic and purposeful approach towards self-improvement that has already yielded fantastic research and resident performance outcomes. I was also looking for a like-minded program that prioritized the same things as I do. The UC focus on growth-mindset resonates strongly with my views on how to thrive as a physician-in-training. The program's dedication to camaraderie was also apparent throughout the interview process. I felt a genuine meld with administration and co-residents on the trail. Lastly, I wanted to live in an environment that supported my wellness outside of the hospital. I visited the city prior to making my rank list and fell in love with the food, the zoo, the sports, and the bourbon trail. There was a seemingly endless source of activities for those short occasional breaks from the grind and those longer vacations that occur once in a blue moon.