PATHOLOGY PERSONAL STATEMENT

                            Understanding what happens to the human body during a disease state attracted me to the medical profession. I believe it was this single thought, which led me to pursue higher studies in Pathology. Pathology requires knowledge about every organ system, every kind of infection and every kind of tumor. In Pathology, we can see into a patient's body at the cellular and gross level and actually see for ourselves what has caused the patient's ailments. Also, pathologists are often the first physicians to make the diagnosis. All these aspects of pathology have inspired in me, a great passion for the specialty.

                             In addition to facets of the specialty itself, my grandmother's experience also influenced me. Only very late in the treatment for an abdominal illness did her physicians order a liver biopsy. By then she had already progressed to chronic reactive hepatitis, and she died the following year. I feel this could have been averted had a pathologic diagnosis been established earlier.

                              I was introduced to Pathology during the second year of medical school and had also begun my clinical rotations in Internal Medicine and Surgery. These rotations provided great opportunity to be involved in clinico-pathological correlation. Though initially the slides under the microscope made no sense to me, I started developing an interest in diagnosing the slides. I admired my Pathology professors ability to make quick diagnoses. Gradually, I also learned the techniques of identification of the slides.I greatly enjoyed my month in pathology and rotations through the histopathology, hematology and cytopathology labs in addition to attending Tumor Board conferences in surgical pathology. In the histopathology lab, I learned how to take tissue sections with the frozen technique. In the hematology lab, I learned to diagnose various hematological disorders, particularly the leukemias. In the cytopathology lab, I learned the technique of FNAC, and bone marrow aspiration, as well as microscopic diagnoses of various diseases. During these labs I discovered my love of the subject and spent many free hours at our pathology museum, studying the gross specimens. During my fourth year of clinical rotations, I took a  Forensic Medicine elective where my strong interest in watching autopsies being performed was fulfilled.

                            Research interest has also helped me choose a career in Pathology. My interest genetics led me to work at University Hospital in the Ataxia Telangiectasia (AT) Research Lab, under Professor Godfather, where I performed mutation analysis. I was able to initiate a new technique in the lab through which I found mutations which had been undetected for years. My professor was impressed with the fruits I produced in the short time I worked in the lab. Working in the AT lab sparked my interest in stem cell research, as it is a potential cure for AT.  In the future, I hope to work as an independent researcher, and as a teacher of residents and students. My role model, Professor

Godfather has inspired me to the highest level, and I know that such a position will offer me a balanced and varied career.

                            I believe I possess the qualities needed to become successful in medicine and in  life. These qualities make me the person I am: an enthusiastic, vibrant person, always on the move. Being the school basketball team leader for 2 years, I improved my team spirit, leadership and sportsmanship. Working in the lab improved my problem solving, critical thinking, writing and time management skills. My observation skills improved with my anatomy dissection classes, in which I was always on the lookout for any pathology. Staying in a hostel during my medical school helped me to learn to work with different personalities. It also improved my communication skills. I also realized that I love teaching, as I got a chance to tutor mathematics to another student. This helped me develop patience, empathy and a willingness to listen.

                           I am looking for a small program with research opportunities in which there is a good resident-faculty contact. I believe this is a very important factor in influencing the work environment. Also, I would prefer a program in a rural setting, as my husband and I wish to ultimately settle in a rural area, to raise a family. My program should also stress increasing resident responsibility as their proficiency increases. As someone who has always been very goal-oriented, I am looking forward to beginning my residency.  I believe that as a resident, I will be able to offer my best to the program and that my enthusiasm and hardworking nature is contagious. I know that my vigor, punctuality, discipline and positive attitude will be assets to any Pathology residency program.