Shifa Clinic, Personal Statement Example

I am a recent graduate with a B.S. degree in Biology from UC Davis. I am now looking for a position where I can obtain experience in clinical research. At this junction I have obtained experience in a various clinical settings over the last 2 years. I am hoping to develop a career as a medical practitioner and become a Doctor. I see a career as a Doctor as the way that I can use my passion for science, logic, reasoning and helping people. In order to gain a better understanding of the medical profession I became an intern for two quarters at the University of California Davis Medical centre.

During this internship I wanted to follow in my pediatrician’s footsteps, so I worked in the Pediatric Specialty Clinic. I mostly helped out in the cardiology department, and started direct patient interaction by taking vital signs and helping with EKGs and ultrasounds of the heart. I soon noticed that I felt entirely fulfilled with this internship. I had found the human interaction, along with the science and dedication to service that I was searching for. I enjoyed pediatrics, and most of the cases that I followed turned out to be success stories, but I was not completely prepared to see such young children in such pain. Before this experience, I only saw medicine as general care for ailments such as the common cold; now I was witnessing children battle failing hearts. It was hard to watch them as they feigned optimism for their parents, but I felt confident that they were in good hands at UCD Medical Center.

It was not until I started volunteering at a free clinic that I saw just how fortunate the patients at UC Davis Medical Center were for their quality of healthcare. During my junior year, I started volunteering at Shifa Clinic, a free student-run clinic that serves primarily the Middle-Eastern and South Asian population of Sacramento. Unlike the Pediatric Specialty clinic, resources at Shifa Clinic are limited, so the amount of help that we can provide our patients is also rather limited. One of the projects that I am involved in at the clinic is a diabetic retinopathy clinic that we hold once every few months to screen diabetic patients for macular degeneration. Some of our patients show signs of diabetic retinopathy in early stages, but because of their lack of health insurance, there is little that we can do to help them beyond the screening process.

Working with Shifa Clinic has exposed me to the fact that even doctors have limits in what they can do to make patients’ lives better. In light of these limits, the doctors remind us that even as undergraduate volunteers, we can still make an impact on the patients’ wellbeing through helping them make healthier choices in life. Our help in the form of education helps patients make positive changes that lead to overall healthier lives. I find myself constantly doing research, and taking classes so that I can teach the patients about diet and exercise .

My interests outside of school activities have been focused upon research and gaining additional theoretical and practical experience in the medical field. I am also interested in sports and keeping fit and I worked as a health educator and handled patient outreach at Shifa Community Clinic. I became interested in community development work as this was another way of gaining better patient interaction whilst contributing towards the needs of society. . I enjoy meeting people and discussing similar interests.

I have also completed volunteer work with The International Children’s Assistance Network This project was my first experience with print media design, and had taken up my entire summer, filling my days with endless research and all-nighters. As I uploaded the finished booklet to the hard drive, I felt a sense of accomplishment. I had often volunteered with them in the past, but by far, this was the most I had ever dedicated myself to. But, as much as I enjoyed this project, I felt that something was lacking. I had fulfilled my desire to help a community with my service, but a part of me longed for those days volunteering at children’s fairs, interacting with a diversity of people. I also realized, that although I enjoyed media design, I needed an outlet for my passion for science. To combine my penchant for science and desire to help my community, I considered a career as a medical practitioner.

I wish to consolidate the work I have started from my B.Sc. in Biological Sciences and work towards a post graduate qualification in Medical Sciences. I have a strong passion for the subject area and would like to develop a career in this area based upon a strong foundation of postgraduate study. I believe your medical school with its excellent reputation and strong research facilities will help me to attain my goals. I also want to build a peer group network of similar students who have likeminded aspirations and goals to that of myself.

I am also looking for a curriculum that will offer a diverse range of subject matter but equally assist in helping to assist with certain areas of specialisation. I see that as an important step towards gaining future employment opportunities and building a foundation for future work experience in the medical field.

I am particularly impressed with the quality of the teaching faculty and research facilities at your University. The University has an impressive alumni and I believe the quality of the other medical students will enable me to develop a good network of friends and a peer group of others with similar interests to myself. I hope to continue helping patients lead healthier lives through becoming a medical practitioner one day. I see a career as a doctor as a way to use my love of science, logic, and reasoning, while involving a more human element that requires compassion and strength.