“Man never made any material as resilient as the human spirit.” – Bern William. I write this personal statement with mixed feelings, knowing that I will possibly be in a different state, different city, and different community next year. My journey thus far has been arduous, challenging, and rewarding at the same time. I was born and raised in Saudi Arabia to hardworking parents that left their hometown for a better life for their children. Since early childhood, being a doctor has always been my dream, carried from our family doctor, who has always relieved my suffering. I moved back to Sudan when I got accepted in one of the best medical schools across Africa and the Middle East, the University of Khartoum – a more than a hundred years old with very competitive selection methods.
What I loved about medical school in Sudan was the excellence of medical knowledge, the exposure to a variety of complex pathology, and the continuous mentorship from teachers trained from the best institutions in Europe and North America. I actively participated in several medical missions throughout my medical school years to provide health care for poor rural communities with endemic tropical diseases and devastating local taboos (female genital mutilation). Leading the female genital mutation education programs was my first feeling of satisfaction regarding counseling and its influence not only individually but at a broader level. Those special missions helped me appreciate the importance of teamwork and the profound impact that we as teams can have on our communities.
During my internal medicine rotation, I worked with different patients from various economic, social, and cultural backgrounds, suffering from an even more comprehensive range of conditions. The variety of clinical encounters, procedures, and degrees of illness make internal medicine immensely appealing. after graduation, I started to work as a general practitioner in the Department of Internal Medicine at a local hospital in Sudan with limited resources, making critical decisions, and dealing with the patient at every level of knowledge and background. I have learned the importance of being vigilant, working under pressure, and managing resources in smart ways. Soon after, to advance my career, I moved to Saudi Arabia and started working at a military hospital where I could practice modern medicine under international guidelines, protocols, and clinical trials.
I have always been enthusiastic about delving into new challenges and searching for the best opportunity’s life can offer. Hence, moving to the United States was a natural extension of my journey and my pursuit of a satisfying and meaningful career. Far from easy, the movie took a toll on me. My son was diagnosed with a speech delay suspected of ADHD and autism when adapting to a new, different county and culture. While I am raising my wonderful family with unexpected obstacles, I am pleased that I have worked hard to maintain great USMLE scores and managed to stay connected to the medical field.
My valuable US observership period has given me useful insights into the US healthcare system, exposed me to an incredible array of cases, particularly during the COVID 19 pandemic. Those exceptional experiences have polished my sense of duty and appreciation and rewarded me with a better understanding of people who go through unexpectedly struggles in their lives, which I firmly believe will help me excel not only in the internal residency program but in my future life.
I am proud of what I have accomplished with my son; he is now an independent typical second grader. I am satisfied with the woman I have become, a woman driven by resilience, perseverance, and a heightened sense of responsibleness. I feel confident that given my many experiences earned in widely diverse places, combined with my genuine desire to bring about positive outcomes for all my patients, I am ready for the opportunity and challenge of a quality Internal Medicine residency.
I had a dedication, a work ethic, and time management skills. My clinical experience throughout my journey has advanced my confidence and my communication skills. I believe I will be a great asset to any residency program and will contribute my vibrant energy and quality patient care through my enthusiasm, adherent values, optimism, unceasing work ethic, and my persistent desire to learn.
I look forward to being devoted as an academic internist, part of healthcare professionals striving to deliver the best care to their communities and participating in continuous medical educations to medical students and residents. Thank you for your time and consideration.
