Personal Narrative: A Career In Medicine

My decision to strive for a career in medicine did not come in a moment of blinding revelation, but as a result of a variety of experiences which began in my early childhood. It wasn’t until I was around 5 years old that my path started to head towards medicine.
Just six months before my arrival into this world, my cousin, Madison, was born. She developed Cardiomegaly shortly after birth. At only eight months old, her heart was on the verge of failing, and she needed a heart transplant to survive. One month later, she received a brand new heart. Though she received the heart needed to survive, her life was filled with a large amount of medication, pain, and frequent hospital visits. Her family, as well as mine, lived in fear and

worry that her time would be cut short.
Madison was my childhood best friend.

Growing up, my days were spent with her and her radiant, contagious laugh. Very frequently I found myself visiting in the hospital, as she was always sick and hospitalized. Those many, many days in the hospital lit up an unknown curiosity I had for medicine and the human body. It also introduced me into a world of nurses, doctors, surgeons, and other health professions. A world I have now come to love.
At only 6 years old, due to the carelessness of a doctor, my cousin lost her life. This had an enormous impact on me. From that day on, I knew that I wanted to study medicine and become a surgeon. I wanted little girls, like myself, not have to bury their best friend at the age of six due to an apathetic doctor. My goal in the medical field since that day has been to commit myself to helping others and to saving lives.
If that doctor would have completely devoted himself to my cousin’s case, I believe she would still be here today. That doctor is one of the many doctors who become dispassionate in the field of medicine. The love for medicine disappears and it becomes just a job, not a

passion.
To me, a doctor is more than just a great salary or the rush from a once in a lifetime surgery. Being a doctor is about changing the lives of patients that you’ve made an everlasting connection with. A doctor that has that kind of passion and devotion towards helping others is the kind of doctor I aspire to be.
I have patterned my life to help benefit me on my road to medicine.

I strive hard to maintain good grades. In a great effort to get a head start, I enrolled in dual enrollment classes at a local college. My high school years have been busy, for I am active in many of the clubs offered at my school, including: Student Council, cheerleading, HOSA, FCCLA, BETA, 4H, and Class Office. I hold officer positions in many of my school organizations, including: the president of Student Council, captain of the cheerleading squad, vice-president of my class office, and treasurer of HOSA.
I have participated in AHEC’s Day with the Docs program to further help introduce to me what medicine is truly about. At this program, I had the opportunity to meet with medical students and doctors. Like the many doctors and students I have encountered, I have a passion for helping others, determination to work hard in college and my future career, and the knowledge to help me become the greatest doctor I can be. I believe that I have everything it takes to become a successful

doctor.
I plan to continue my education at McNeese State University, earning a Bachelors of Science in Nursing degree. I chose a Nursing major over any other because I believe it is very important to have a plan B. If by, any chance, I am unable to fulfill my lifelong dream of becoming a doctor, I still will have a degree that will grant me a job in the medical field that I will love.
As I’ve said before, being a doctor is not just a job. It is a passion and commitment. I can’t imagine myself going into another field of study. With that being said, it would be an honor to receive this scholarship. I have a great amount of knowledge to soak up and this scholarship would help me tremendously on my road to becoming a devoted, determined doctor.