1. Describe the community in which you see yourself practicing medicine. (Max. 1000 characters) – New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYIT-COM)
As a future physician, I envision myself working in remote communities in the north. Since I come from a remote community in Alaska, my goal is to return there to practice as a physician, serving small and rural communities that do not have a community doctor. While in my undergraduate years, I volunteered with a DO physician in a neighboring community, assisting with taking patient histories. I also volunteered to help the physician with a community blood drive by signing in patients, taking histories and completing patient paperwork. By providing my services in communities such as these, I believe I could help make a difference in the overall health of the population and bring healthcare directly to them.
2. Describe the community in which you were nurtured or spent the majority of your early development with respect to its demographics. What core values did you receive and how will these translate into the contributions you hope to make to your community as a medical student and later as a physician? (max. 250 words) – Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
I was raised in a small farming community, and the majority of our neighbors were seniors. There were many families from all different backgrounds and histories, but together the community formed one singular country culture. Helping your neighbors, giving back to the community and working hard were values that were instilled in all of us from a young age. As we lived in a rural area, people tended to rely on the resource of neighborly help more than any other. These values have prepared me for the trials of a medical school student, as I am not afraid to buckle down and work hard to achieve my goals. I am also community-minded and I have had years of practice working with others to find solutions to problems. As a physician, I will bring my sense of community spirit and empathy for others to all my patients.
3. What specific experience/exposure have you had with osteopathic medicine? How has this influenced your decision to become an osteopathic physician? (Max 500 words) – A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
My first job was working at a community bowling alley in my hometown. It was an unusual job for a high schooler, as most of my classmates had taken on retail jobs while I was working on pinsetting machines and fixing ball jams. But it was at this job that I was exposed to the principles of osteopathic health in action.
Every Thursday after school, I reported to work where a large group of adults with developmental challenges arrived with their carers for some bowling fun. This was their weekly ritual, a way to socialize, get some physical exercise and be a part of their community.. Over the weeks, as I socialized with the group members between fixing ball jams and serving snacks, I realized what a difference those few hours of Thursday bowling could make. Sometimes the regulars could walk in seeming sad or frustrated about their week, but their mood would change as soon as they saw their friends or rolled a ball down the lane.
Thinking I would follow their example, I eventually joined the casual Friday-night league. At first, I worried my skill wouldn’t be up to par with more experienced bowlers, but again the Thursday afternoon crowd had taught me that in bowling your skill level doesn’t matter. It was about moving your body, clearing your mind and lightening your spirit. If you bowled a strike, you celebrated with some claps on the back. If you threw a ball straight in the gutter, you celebrated with some consoling pats. Just as I’d seen with the Thursday regulars, I noticed a change in myself with every week I bowled in the league. I was more relaxed, my mood was better and I even felt stronger physically after throwing 10-pound balls down a wooden lane. It was amazing how something as simple and casual as a bowling league had improved my well-being.
As my interest in medicine evolved, my experiences working at the bowling alley made me lean towards the philosophy of osteopathic medicine. My eyes were opened to the fact that medicine isn’t just about treating a condition or excising an illness to return a body to optimal health, it’s about encouraging lifelong well-being and health-mindedness. Even years after leaving that first job at the bowling lanes, I still enjoy throwing a ball at the pins and miss the weekly socializing, as well as the health benefits it gave me. Although I will never be a champion bowler, I still never discount the mental, physical and spiritual benefits of community bonding and simple fun.
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