OPTHALMOLOGY PERSONAL STATEMENT

                 I have always been open to new experiences, challenges and academic endeavors.  Exploring interests in political science, neuroscience, and spending a year teaching and skiing after college broadened my perspectives, and enhanced my resolve to enter medicine.  Similarly, my endeavors in clinical and basic science research, health policy and patient care have strengthened and focused my decision to enter the field of ophthalmology.
I entered medical school with the belief that physicians are uniquely poised to better the delivery of health care. The summer after my first year of medical school, I explored basic science research in the lab of Dr. Sam to find determinants of planar cell polarity in Drosophila eye and wing.  In this atmosphere of scientific investigation and discovery, I became excited about the science of ophthalmology and its clinical correlations. However, after increasing exposure to clinical medicine and clinical research I realized that I would be happiest if I focused my career on these two elements of my future career. Thus, although I had matriculated in the MST Program, after much thought and discussion with the program director, I decided to pursue the M.D. only, with his full support. In order to learn more about organized medicine, I took leadership positions in the American College of Physicians (ACP) and the American Medical Association (AMA).

For me, the clinical years of medical school have been a series of exciting, challenging, and wonderful experiences. When I performed an elective in ophthalmology my interest in medicine, surgery and neuroscience came together. I soon realized that my values are mirrored by those of the field: hard work, attention to detail, intellectual challenge, and enthusiasm for science and innovation.  

Working in the Ophthalmology Department at Mount Hospital exposed me to the gamut of academic and clinical ophthalmology.  I spent time in an inner city clinic, in the operating room and at grand-rounds discussions of basic science topics and challenging cases. At the Hospital Eye Clinic I met J.S., a thirteen-year old girl from Guyana.  She had undergone a number of surgeries after complications from a cataract extraction and Choyce lens implantation at a young age.  The day I met her, we were repairing a conjunctival dehiscence that had occurred after placement of an Ahmed valve. On her first preoperative visit, J.S. smiled, and shyly, but sincerely, thanked the ophthalmologists for the care she received.

It was clear to me that we were protecting J.S.’s ability to lead a happy childhood and develop into a vibrant and successful adult by helping preserve her vision. I also realized that I needed to have close and meaningful relationships with my patients to be satisfied with my career. I was glad that we were able to offer J.S treatment options, and provide support for her and her complex eye problems [not needed]. This experience typifies ophthalmology to me: a close patient-physician relationship, difficult decisions, definitive treatment, immediate results, and long-term care. I was hooked. 

J.S.’s situation also illustrates a number of other issues that I plan to address during my career: clinical decision making, outcomes research, and public health disparities. Much as Henry Ford believed in the value of “Economy of Motion” in a factory, I believe in an economy of action in medicine.  I want to help ophthalmologists accomplish the difficult goal of performing the right intervention on the right patient at the right time.  During my clinical rotations, I often heard physicians debating the appropriateness of a candidate and timing for various procedures, from prostatectomies to cataract extractions.  I began to wonder how I would answer the question, “Will I be able to see better after you remove my cataract?”  To learn the skills necessary to begin to answer this type of question, I have decided to pursue an accelerated M.P.H. with a focus on Effectiveness and Outcomes Research over the upcoming year at The School of Public Health of Big University.

To apply my interest in clinical research to ophthalmology, I became involved with a study on glaucoma medication adherence with Dr. Janet Serle.  We are developing a strategy to identify which patients are non-adherent and why they are non-adherent in a way that is minimally time-intensive for busy practitioners.  In addition to planning the design and implementation of this project, I have helped procure funding for the study.  This experience demonstrated my desire to develop the skills to identify clinical problems, investigate possible resolutions, and ultimately improve health care for patients.

Thus, my experiences in basic science and clinical research, my patient encounters in ophthalmology, and my advanced training in public health have all prepared me for a career in academic ophthalmology. As an eye physician and surgeon, I will maintain my broad range of interests from providing medical and surgical care to a diverse group of patients, to designing and running clinical trials, and to advocating for change in health policy. Finally, my strong work ethic, attention to detail, and profound respect for the importance of vision to a patient’s quality of life will all be valuable assets in both succeeding in a residency program and administering compassionate care for my patients.