Family Practice :: Residency Admissions Essays

Family Practice    I was born in Tamil Nadu, a southeastern state in India. I did my schooling in Madras, a large metropolitan city in India. I was interested in science courses especially in Zoology. This interest, combined with my desire to serve the humanity, I set my career goal to become a physician. I then joined Stanley Medical College, which is one of the finest in medical schools in India.    After graduation, I worked for a year with an internist, where I dealt with medical emergencies and did inpatient management. I decided to pursue my postgraduate studies to further broaden my knowledge in July 1993. I chose Obstetrics and Gynecology as my specialty and received my diploma in Ob Gyn in June '95. I participated in the continuing medical education programs and also did bed side teaching for the medical students and received excellent feedback from my preceptors. Following my post graduation, I worked for two years with hands on experience with a variety of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pediatrics, Medical and Surgical cases and attended a free weekly clinic providing primary care to the rural people.    I moved to California in July 1997. I have successfully completed my step one and step two exams in June and March 1998 respectively. In order to gain some insight into the medical practices in the United States, I am volunteering as a research assistant at the Veteran's Affairs Hospital in Palo Alto, an affiliate of the Stanford University School of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, where I am involved with the evaluation of ' The Diagnosis and Staging of Lung Cancer using Positron Emission Tomography', the results of this work will be published in a few months. At the Veteran's Hospital, I also attend the Pulmonary Grand Rounds, Pulmonary Clinics and lectures with the Stanford Residents in the ICU and the GMC. I also volunteer in other primary care facilities. Research and work has given me the opportunity to interact with people and to acclimatize to the US culture.    My personal interest includes Indian classical music and travel. I play the Veena, a string instrument used widely in the Indian Classical Music; which has amazed the western artists for its wide range of musical tones.    Family Practice deals with all the aspects of medicine and focuses on preventive care.