RADIOLOGY PERSONAL STATEMENT

          I wish to pursue a career in Radiology because it is a central focus of patient care and combines modern day physics and computational methods with all areas of medicine. A. wide variety of imaging  techniques have become available with the advancements in CT and MRI technology providing a broad range of diagnostic coverage, from imaging of the heart to diagnosing diseases of the central nervous system. Personally, the complex interpretational aspects of these imaging studies are of interest to me because they are challenging and rapidly evolving. I believe that a deep involvement in this field will greatly satisfy my intellectual aspirations.

My desire to be a radiologist stems from my love of anatomy and physics. Amongst my favorite subjects in medical school were the anatomy classes where we explored the intricacies of human structure and function. I was also fortunate to be exposed to a wide variety of clinical cases which involved radiographic imaging for diagnosis. To explore my interest further, I started working on research projects using CT phantoms in abdominal imaging at the University of State. My projects included the study of pseudo-enhancement of renal cysts and the determination of the chemical composition of kidney stones using varied CT techniques under the guidance of Professor B. I found that I love the challenge of acquiring and applying new skills which included conducting literature surveys, working with technologists and other researchers as a team, formulating and conducting experiments, compiling observation data , analyzing data, and finally writing research papers. I have come to admire the investigative nature of radiology.  I also appreciated the collaborative aspect of my research which depended on working with technicians and specialists.  It reinforced in me the importance of being a team player since I strongly believe that a radiologist needs to be able to interact and communicate well with other clinicians in arriving at a correct diagnosis.

Previously, in my medical school, I witnessed, first hand, the lack of access to health facilities and education in rural patients. This led to my involvement in organizing and coordinating several health education and immunization camps for rural Indian population. These camps conducted classes for adults and children, teaching them about the importance of sanitation in combating common diseases, preventing vitamin deficiencies and usefulness of family planning. It was heart warming to see small changes making useful difference in the lives of the local people where resources were constrained. Besides making me realize the importance of patient education in long term care, this project also brought to the forefront my ability as a team leader.

I am highly motivated to be a radiologist. While the majority of my training has been outside the United States, I hope that my performance in the medical license exams

highlight both my problem solving skills and my inner drive to succeed. My under-graduate years in India have inculcated in me an understanding of basic sciences and broad knowledge of medical subjects. To further my understanding of clinical care in America, I have volunteered at free clinics in the Bay Area.

On the personal front, my husband is very supportive of my interest in medicine. We have traveled extensively and we both love hiking.
In summary, I believe that radiology affords me a great opportunity for continuous learning and involvement with technological advances in the field of medicine. I would like to enter a radiology training program which will expose me to see a wide spectrum of disease and radiological studies. I wish to develop my diagnostic skills and look forward to working with the surgical and medical teams to improve patient care.