Andi Wallick Personal Statement Indiana University School of Medicine Degree Objective: M.S. Pathologists’ Assistant My interest in pathology dates back to high school. I enjoyed most sciences but especially sciences about the body. I knew then that I wanted to work in the field of pathology.
I believe I should be accepted into to the University of North Dakota School Of Medicine because of my commitment to practicing primary rural care in the Midwest, my experience working with the underserved populations of my community, and my desire to advance medicine through research. Growing up in a small rural community, I was fortunate to have the same primary care physician. However, recently our town has experienced difficulty in hiring and retaining physicians. My enjoyment of my rural community inspires me to someday become a physician in this type of community. My commitment to serving the underserved population of my community is demonstrated through volunteering for 5 years at a clinic for the uninsured.
I am confident that a fellowship at the University of Rochester Medical Center, Cytopathology Department would provide me with a tremendous opportunity to pursue my interests, help me to achieve my dreams and refine my skills as a diagnostic cytopathologist. In return, I hope to bring to the program my strong work ethic, a passion to learn, pleasant personality, and a diverse work
I like to be involved with the learning process by using all of my five senses and through hands-on activities. For many years, I have had the strong urge and desire to study in the field of radiology. Because I obtain information best by learning visually and through hands-on experience - I am blessed with the opportunity to shadow fellow intelligent radiologic technicians at the Uvalde Memorial Hospital. During my time there, I obtained very crucial information. After reading and comprehending information obtained from radiologic textbooks, I was able to link the details and facts together from learning through my hands-on
Diligence and persistence provide opportunities for achievement. I thoroughly believe determination and willpower accompanied by a strong work ethic will set one up for success. My desire for becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist has encouraged and challenged me to utilize and expand my knowledge by participating in a variety of undergraduate opportunities. After completing my undergraduate coursework, I firmly believe I have developed the qualities and diligence to become an asset to the Speech-Language Pathology Graduate School at Southeast Missouri State University. During my collegiate career, I volunteered at a summer literacy camp that was facilitated by my former professor, Dr. Shurita Thomas-Tate.
The fast-changing pace of Internal Medicine appeals to me as a strong critical thinker. I enjoy the challenge of incorporating all spectrums of medicine into each differential diagnosis; every case is a new problem-solving opportunity. Internal Medicine, more than any other specialty, utilizes my personal knowledge, experience, and the assistance of my team in an all-encompassing analysis with the most up-to-date information for personalized care with each and every patient. Only with true understanding and a personal bond with a patient can one practice preventive medicine, which is a priority in all medicine, but especially important for Internal Medicine, where motivating lifestyle change is crucial. Internists, to me, are lifelong learners, which is why I feel the strongest connection toward the concentration of Internal Medicine.
My experiences shadowing with several physicians have given me an insight to the difficult but yet rewarding career medicine has to offer. One of my shadowing experiences that stood out the most to me was when I shadowed at Emory University Hospital. As undergraduate student, I had the opportunity to shadow for a team of neuropathologist led by Dr. Brat. While shadowing for Dr. Brat, we received a patients tissue and the team of pathologist (including myself) determined that this patient had glioblastoma. We had so many patient cases to sign out that I didn’t think too much about the diagnosis.
For the past 18 years I wanted to do something practical and respected. Belonging to the model minority emphasized that belief even more. Due to those factors, I wanted to be an otolaryngologist specializing in laryngology. I thought this way I could get somewhat close to my passion of singing while raking in the prestige and cash. So then I decided to apply to schools with strong pre-med programs, but I also kept in mind my love for music, resulting in me applying to numerous liberal arts colleges.
When I drove home from school, I stopped at a gas station. I wanted to put a full tank in my car. However, as I looked at the gas price, I realized I could not afford it. I panicked. I knew there was a shortage of gas this week, and the gas prices had increased.
I would like to pursue a combined MD/PhD program because I want to perform and apply research to the treatment of patients. The MD program alone would give me the opportunity to treat patients, but my strong desire to study the mechanisms of disease would be better satisfied with a degree that allows me to do both clinical and lab work interchangeably. I am willing to make the personal sacrifices necessary to acquire this education, and I believe my path from a small rural school to where I am now, as well as my performance and dedication throughout, demonstrates my ability to handle the load. Through this dual program, I could serve small communities like my own while contributing to the overall understanding of the mechanisms of disease or the function of the human body. I can help progress both patient care and, hopefully, humanity as a whole.
My analytical skills developed through my research further my ability to develop diagnoses and handle complicated surgical patients. Finally my strong interpersonal skills both with patients and physicians that have been demonstrated through my clerkships and involvement in multiple physician organizations provide ideal characteristics in a career which demands such skills. With only months remaining until medical school graduation, I strive to turn my surgical rotation experiences into practice and excel at these teachings so that I may work to perfect my service to patients—what I appreciate to be the art of medicine. An ideal residency is one that will support me in this pursuit through strong resident education and in challenging me to further improve myself.
I will soon hold a Bachelor degree in Communication Disorders and my studies have taught me how to communicate with individuals from all backgrounds, professions, and social classes. It taught me sympathy and understanding of human interaction. My long term goal is to work with school aged children and young adults as a speech-language pathologist. I have experience in interacting favorably and effectively with children of a wide range and enjoy doing so. I belong in an educational environment and would like to continue on to the school system and contribute to the success of school aged children and young adults.
Despite the mountains of paper work, despite the many years of difficult schooling, despite the late hours running lab tests or thinking of solutions, the doctor I shadowed was able to live a life in which she had thousands of interesting situations to recount, yet was also able to help another person every fifteen minutes. Those weeks of following that doctor around did not only expose me to the behind-the-scenes clinical experience; they, without a doubt, convinced me to pursue that same lifestyle. My goals are varied and they always will be. I want to pursue a major in the biological sciences. I want to spend my insatiable curiosity looking up anatomical drawings rather than memorizing literary works.
Ever since my youth, I have aimed to become a physician, and as a result, both my academics and views of the world of the world have been developed as such. Academically, I have learned that only hard work and diligence can take me to new heights, and therefore, with everything that I do, I aim to give one hundred and ten percent of myself to the task at hand. Furthermore, I have grasped the concept that sometimes, ideas cannot be grasped easily, and due to this, I have developed the skill of being able to ask questions in situations in which I do not fully understand. In addition to asking these types of questions, I have learned to question various things, whether it be about how does something work or what the purpose of something is and how does it relate to an interface as a whole. In terms of my view of the world, my aspirations for medicine have aided me in
Everyone is unique in their own way. Things like our laughs, personalities, styles, opinions, etc, are all things that make us special and different. One thing that I feel though makes me unique and stand out from the rest is my dedication and experiences. Ever since I was young I always had a knack and passion for investigation. I was always that kid that was constantly asking why or how and If I couldn’t understand something, I would not rest until I figured it out.
