PLASTIC SURGERY PERSONAL STATEMENT

          A one hour television documentary about Operation Smile was my first exposure to the fascinating world of plastic surgery. At fifteen years old, I stared at the television screen mesmerized by both the cause and the outcome as a collaboration of medical professionals traveled to the Philippines and volunteered their expertise. Here was a group of children who, due to ridicule or simply their own shame, were social outcasts, unable to attend school or lead anything remotely close to a normal social life. Yet, due to the care and skill of the volunteer team, these children now have a chance at a life devoid of the negativity associated with a physical deformity. This influential gut-wrenching moment was the catalyst in my pursuit of becoming a plastic surgeon.

Grounded by the insight and knowledge that I gathered during an elective volunteer experience with Dr. Face, a pediatric plastic surgeon and reconstructive specialist at Children's Hospital in Large City, I felt confident in my decision to pursue a career in plastic surgery. I learned that there could be continuity of care, something that is not commonplace in other surgical specialties. I was introduced to multiple genetic syndromes, craniosynostosis, plagiocephaly, hemangiomas, and chronic wound care. I witnessed first-hand the profound impact plastic surgery had on both the patient and their family.

By my third year of medical school, I realized that each patient presents with their own unique challenge that encompasses a wide variety of procedures including, but not limited to microsurgery, cosmetic reconstruction, craniofacial, trauma, wound care, and hand surgery. [what are some of these challenges specifically, and how do plastic surgeons overcome these?]I thrived in the refined, meticulous artistic aspect of each surgical case.  From post-mastectomy breast and nipple reconstruction to the reattachment of a severed limb, we were improving body image and creating “smiles” just as the Operation Smile team had done.

           
My final year of medical school has confirmed the fact that I find myself truly at home in plastic surgery. My detail oriented nature, background in both music and art, and true passion for the specialty all contribute to why I am well suited for the field of plastic surgery.  I previously received national recognition and multiple honors through The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, and I possess great finger dexterity through many years of piano lessons. In addition, I am a perfectionist who aspires for excellence in everything that I do, be it my own physical fitness (I’m an avid runner) to my attention to patient care to my desire to better myself by regularly practicing the various suturing techniques during my downtime at home.

As far as my career in plastic surgery is concerned, upon my completion of residency, I plan to pursue a fellowship in craniofacial surgery and eventually, I hope to be a part of an Operation Smile mission. I desire to devote my lifetime to bringing smiles to children and restoring my patients’ self image through a career in academic medicine at a large academic institution – awakening the passion inside of others as my attendings and residents did of me.