edumanzo
Sep 22, 2024
Graduate / Personal Statement for Master of Science in Anesthesia [3]
Hello, I have already submitted my personal statement before I found this wonderful website. I would like for an honest opinion of how strong you believe my personal statement really is. I am really hard on myself and often overthink my writing.
Prompt: Please explain your motivation for selecting a career in healthcare and specifically why you are interested in becoming an anesthesiologist assistant. Describe how your personal and professional background will help you achieve your career goals and eminently suit you for this profession.
Born to immigrant, non-English-speaking parents (and as an immigrant myself), I gained invaluable exposure to the medical field by managing my family's health care. From communicating with my father's orthopedic surgeon after his work accident at 10 years old to discussing my mother's neurologist about her post-stroke recovery at 19, these experiences laid the foundation for my commitment to patient-centered care.
During my time as a transporter, I had the opportunity to put to good use the healthcare experiences I had learned from in the past. Three hours into what felt like one of the busiest days in the hospital, I had the pleasure of meeting a patient, whom we can call Jake, as he was being prepped for his appendectomy in the pre-op holding area. As the surgical team discussed their plan for laparoscopic surgery with him and his mom, Jake was visibly anxious and fearful; his hand was fidgeting back and forth, his eyes puffy, and his face flushed. That day, the pre-op area was busy and louder than usual, but his thoughts seemed to drown it all out. It was evidently going to be his first experience in the operating room. As I prepared his stretcher the CRNA offered, what I now know to be Versed, a medication that would reduce his anxiety. Before I finished prepping for transport, I reached out with a fist bump, a gesture he so desperately needed. "You're doing great, man; I was nervous my first time too, but there's nothing to worry about. You're in good hands," I reassured him. He took a deep breath and asked, "Have you gotten your appendix removed?" I smiled and replied, "No, never. I wouldn't be able to handle it; I'd feel too detached." He chuckled, and along with the rest of the team, we spent the entire trip to the operating room coming up with other silly detachment jokes.
My fascination with physiology and chemistry drives me to pursue a career as an anesthesiologist assistant, a field where I can use the practical application of both subjects to improve patient care and define the role through meaningful experiences, like the one I shared before with Jake. CAAs care for patients during their most vulnerable moments, whether advocating for their safety in the operating room during an adverse event or compassionately explaining to an expectant mother in severe pain why the epidural that is keeping her comfortable and pain-free needs to be taken away. My experience as a scribe taught me the importance of embracing my role within a care team. I made it a priority to serve as a steward for improving the quality of care for my patients by using my downtime to check in with them, anticipate their needs, and communicate those needs to the ED care team. No one comes to the ED by choice; they arrive during some of their most vulnerable moments. As a scribe, like a CAA in perioperative care, I have limited time, but my commitment is to treat each patient with empathy and compassion and never accept "good enough."
As an aspiring anesthesiologist assistant and a film enthusiast, I love drawing a vivid parallel between the two. In the operating room, the surgeon takes on the role of the lead actor, while the anesthesiologist serves as the film director. Their seamless collaboration is crucial for ensuring the patient's safety and comfort. Certified anesthesiologist assistants act like assistant directors, supporting the anesthesiologist across various cases. As a servant leader at the University of Texas Medical Branch, I am deeply committed to breaking down barriers for my clerical and clinical staff through support, professional development, and guidance. I not only advocate for my patients, but I also advocate for my colleagues, as evident in the STAR leadership development program I created, where I inspire future operations leaders by providing mentorship at work and in their personal lives. I've embraced challenges beyond my core responsibilities, such as spearheading the QGenda scheduling initiative to create a more efficient staffing model, ultimately enhancing the quality of care we provide to our patients.
The amazing colleagues, patients, and mentors I've had the chance to work with over the years can vouch for my readiness to succeed in your rigorous Master of Science in Anesthesia program. I'm eager to tap into my leadership experience, passion for education, and collaborative mindset to build a legacy of compassionate care and push the boundaries of anesthesia practice.
Hello, I have already submitted my personal statement before I found this wonderful website. I would like for an honest opinion of how strong you believe my personal statement really is. I am really hard on myself and often overthink my writing.
Prompt: Please explain your motivation for selecting a career in healthcare and specifically why you are interested in becoming an anesthesiologist assistant. Describe how your personal and professional background will help you achieve your career goals and eminently suit you for this profession.
Born to immigrant, non-English-speaking parents (and as an immigrant myself), I gained invaluable exposure to the medical field by managing my family's health care. From communicating with my father's orthopedic surgeon after his work accident at 10 years old to discussing my mother's neurologist about her post-stroke recovery at 19, these experiences laid the foundation for my commitment to patient-centered care.
During my time as a transporter, I had the opportunity to put to good use the healthcare experiences I had learned from in the past. Three hours into what felt like one of the busiest days in the hospital, I had the pleasure of meeting a patient, whom we can call Jake, as he was being prepped for his appendectomy in the pre-op holding area. As the surgical team discussed their plan for laparoscopic surgery with him and his mom, Jake was visibly anxious and fearful; his hand was fidgeting back and forth, his eyes puffy, and his face flushed. That day, the pre-op area was busy and louder than usual, but his thoughts seemed to drown it all out. It was evidently going to be his first experience in the operating room. As I prepared his stretcher the CRNA offered, what I now know to be Versed, a medication that would reduce his anxiety. Before I finished prepping for transport, I reached out with a fist bump, a gesture he so desperately needed. "You're doing great, man; I was nervous my first time too, but there's nothing to worry about. You're in good hands," I reassured him. He took a deep breath and asked, "Have you gotten your appendix removed?" I smiled and replied, "No, never. I wouldn't be able to handle it; I'd feel too detached." He chuckled, and along with the rest of the team, we spent the entire trip to the operating room coming up with other silly detachment jokes.
My fascination with physiology and chemistry drives me to pursue a career as an anesthesiologist assistant, a field where I can use the practical application of both subjects to improve patient care and define the role through meaningful experiences, like the one I shared before with Jake. CAAs care for patients during their most vulnerable moments, whether advocating for their safety in the operating room during an adverse event or compassionately explaining to an expectant mother in severe pain why the epidural that is keeping her comfortable and pain-free needs to be taken away. My experience as a scribe taught me the importance of embracing my role within a care team. I made it a priority to serve as a steward for improving the quality of care for my patients by using my downtime to check in with them, anticipate their needs, and communicate those needs to the ED care team. No one comes to the ED by choice; they arrive during some of their most vulnerable moments. As a scribe, like a CAA in perioperative care, I have limited time, but my commitment is to treat each patient with empathy and compassion and never accept "good enough."
As an aspiring anesthesiologist assistant and a film enthusiast, I love drawing a vivid parallel between the two. In the operating room, the surgeon takes on the role of the lead actor, while the anesthesiologist serves as the film director. Their seamless collaboration is crucial for ensuring the patient's safety and comfort. Certified anesthesiologist assistants act like assistant directors, supporting the anesthesiologist across various cases. As a servant leader at the University of Texas Medical Branch, I am deeply committed to breaking down barriers for my clerical and clinical staff through support, professional development, and guidance. I not only advocate for my patients, but I also advocate for my colleagues, as evident in the STAR leadership development program I created, where I inspire future operations leaders by providing mentorship at work and in their personal lives. I've embraced challenges beyond my core responsibilities, such as spearheading the QGenda scheduling initiative to create a more efficient staffing model, ultimately enhancing the quality of care we provide to our patients.
The amazing colleagues, patients, and mentors I've had the chance to work with over the years can vouch for my readiness to succeed in your rigorous Master of Science in Anesthesia program. I'm eager to tap into my leadership experience, passion for education, and collaborative mindset to build a legacy of compassionate care and push the boundaries of anesthesia practice.