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Rewriting Personal statement after not matching. Need advice.

• Thread starter iforgotmyname
• Start date Apr 13, 2017
• Tags match 2017 match 2018 orthopaedic surgery orthopaedics orthopedic residency orthopedic surgery personal statement

Should I talk about not matching in my personal statement for next years match application?

Iforgotmyname.

• Apr 13, 2017

AcademicNeurosurgery

Full member.

Regarding your personal statement, you have complete control over it. Invest a substantial amount of time into writing it and make it the best it can be. A few rules of thumb I use when writing my own or editing for others: 1) Be specific (Show, don't tell). 2) Be convincing. 3) Get to the point. 4) Don't overthink it. You will likely never write something the PD has never seen before. They've heard every reason for why ortho. Just make it personal and be specific. Every single word/sentence you write should have a purpose. If any sentence is not directly helping your case, get rid of it and add something that does. By far the biggest thing I struggled with when learning to write a strong personal statement was being specific. Fortunately, my mentors pounded this into my head. Even when I edit for others, this is almost always my biggest critique. Always remember "show, don't tell". I'll let others with more experience comment as to whether or not you should include not matching and assess the rest of your app. Best of luck, hope it works out!  

AcademicNeurosurgery said: I am still a med student so feel free to ignore my suggestions but I hope they will help even a little. Regarding your personal statement, you have complete control over it. Invest a substantial amount of time into writing it and make it the best it can be. A few rules of thumb I use when writing my own or editing for others: 1) Be specific (Show, don't tell) 2) Be convincing 3) Get to the point. 4) Don't overthink it. You will likely never write something the PD has never seen before. They've heard every reason for why ortho. Just make it personal and be specific. Every single word/sentence you write should have a purpose. If any sentence is not directly helping your case, get rid of it and add something that does. By far the biggest thing I struggled with when learning to write a strong personal statement was being specific. Fortunately, my mentors pounded this into my head. Even when I edit for others, this is almost always my biggest critique. Always remember "show, don't tell". I'll let others with more experience comment as to whether or not you should include not matching and assess the rest of your app. Best of luck, hope it works out! Click to expand...

• Apr 16, 2017

I have the same issue of not being a good personality fit for ortho. I find it hard to being either so nice that everyone walks all over me vs being confident and called a douche. As a med student, it is my job to sit there with a **** eating grin and take anything surgeons dish at me. But at the same time be confident but not arrogant? I don't understand. BTW, I am not going for ortho. Just an observation from my evals.  

• Apr 17, 2017

KanyeWes said: I have the same issue of not being a good personality fit for ortho. I find it hard to being either so nice that everyone walks all over me vs being confident and called a douche. As a med student, it is my job to sit there with a **** eating grin and take anything surgeons dish at me. But at the same time be confident but not arrogant? I don't understand. BTW, I am not going for ortho. Just an observation from my evals. Click to expand...

• Apr 18, 2017

OrthoTraumaMD

iforgotmyname said: I did not match to any program this year. I delayed graduation for a year to do research. Here are my strengths/weaknesses summed up: Pros -Top 30 medical school US -Top half of class overall -Top quartile clinically -Step 2 250 -Letters of rec from my Ortho chair, and 2 others with whom I've worked with -Honored all away rotations from attendings -Presented research at an international conference over seas Cons -Step 1 224 (Severe test anxiety killed me) -0 publications -3 total projects -Not AOA -Feedback said I lacked confidence -Feedback said my personality was not a good fit I was rather surface level in my previous personal statement and only received 5 interviews. I'm looking for advice on whether or not I should be more personal in my statement and also if I should discuss not matching in it as well... Things I'm doing now: -Research everyday 7-5/6 with Ortho dept -Already submitted 2 papers for publication since match week -Networking -Community outreach to a program for disabled teens and coaching them in outdoor sports and activities -Looking to serve on a junior board *I am also working on a dual application approach to a 2nd specialty, so I understand that I need to have a back up plan. What I'm really seeking advice on is how to strengthen my application for Ortho and what I should include in a personal statement after not matching. I would love to hear from attendings or 5th years who voted on applicants because I'm truly seeking realistic feedback on how I can succeed. Also people who have experience with not matching but then matching the 2nd time. What did you do? I've found it difficult to get genuine feedback from others that are polar opposite between "you're a great applicant and we are shocked you didn't match" to "consider another specialty" (which I am doing, but also not giving up Ortho and I will rank programs first). Thanks everyone in advance. Click to expand...

frappalino16

• Apr 25, 2017

Reapplied to ortho this year and matched. For the most part, my personal statement did not change. However, I did add a few sentences in my PS to address the fact that I did not match and mentioned how me reapplying demonstrated my commitment and unwavering passion to be an orthopod.  

• Aug 26, 2017

I didn't match my first time either and got in the 2nd time around. I think talking about your extra year is really important! My year made me a much stronger (more confident in my strengths, got a better handle on how to temper my weaknesses, still felt dedicated to ortho, etc) and talking about it very directly in my personal statement and interview made me stand out. There are lots of people out there (including several who will review your application) that have similar stories. There are lots of great applicants that don't match so don't be afraid to own your story.  

• Sep 24, 2017

I wouldn't stress the personal statement so much, grades and scores get you the interviews. Away rotations and your interview get you the job. For competitive specialties, you need the total package. Most of those statements don't get looked at closely unless the person has some unusual backstory. If multiple people have told you don't have the personality to do Ortho, there may be something to it.  

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August 2021

8/26/2021 | by colyn watkins, md; posna resident communications committee, 5 tips for a successful personal statement in orthopaedic surgery.

• Do highlight your strengths, do not list your CV.             
• Do not tell us about your ACL injury.
• Do capture the reader’s attention early.
• Do not exceed one page.
• Do have multiple people read your statement.

Surgery Residency Personal Statement Examples

To learn how to write a great surgery personal statement in 2024 start by reviewingsurgery personal statement examples. Along with taking time to review possible surgery residency interview questions that may come your way, and practicing your answers, you should learn what makes a strong personal statement and write one that reflects your suitability for this specialty. A great personal statement will increase your chance of being offered an interview, and being considered for residency.

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free initial consultation here <<

Article Contents 11 min read

Surgery is a moderately competitive field, and is a common specialty choice for many future MDs. Throughout a surgery residency, you will learn to master the basics of patient interaction and care, tend to patients’ needs (especially when the attending physician isn’t on duty), and most importantly, learn all of the essentials about general surgery and hone a wide set of skills that will ultimately lead you down a path to becoming a skilled and talented surgeon yourself.

Whether you’re Canadian and applying through CaRMS , or American/International and using ERAS , your personal statement is a very important portion of your surgery residency application. Your personal statement should highlight several aspects of your experiences, including your personal ties to the field, academic career, goals, values, and professional experience in this speciality that, when all considered in combination, will ultimately make you stand out in the field.

While your personal statement is a personal piece of writing, it must still adhere to any word limits (normally this is 750-800 words) and should maintain a concise and organized structure.

Consider including the following details in your surgery personal statement:

Optional: a brief explanation of any gaps or unfavorable grades "}]">

No matter what field you’re applying for residency, your residency personal statement must only be a few concise paragraphs that clearly communicate why you are interested in pursuing a particular residency/field.

Here are some things that your surgery personal statement should not include:

Any negative remarks. This is especially crucial if you do choose to address gaps in your timeline or poor grades. Always utilize the opportunity to address how you made improvements and grew from negative experiences instead! "}]">

Example One

Looking down at my little sister’s wound on her head after she’d plummeted from the top of the slide was the first time I knew I had to act fast in order to tend to her injury, as well as her emotional well-being. When somebody would fall and become injured, most children would freeze or watch the situation unfold from afar…but not me. I would often be found consoling injured classmates on the playground. I’d utter words of inspiration and keep their spirits high—not because anybody taught me to—but because I reacted calmly to humans in distress. I’d watch curiously as their wounds were bandaged, but that action quickly morphed into me having the urge to be the one to dress the wound and offer insight and opinions about the injury. Of course, many people don’t take the word of a 10-year-old seriously, but it never discouraged me. Rather, it fueled my desire to be in a position where I would be taken seriously when I tried to help.

Through my surgical clerkship in year 3 of my MD program, I was able to make the confident decision that surgery was the field I was meant to train in, and I feel I’ll make an outstanding surgeon.

Throughout my various rotations, clerkships and volunteer opportunities over the past five years, I’ve met many patients whose lives had been altered and improved—and many saved—by their surgeons. I learned that while some surgeries are certainly more ‘general’, others are lifesaving, and all require quick thinking and organized action. Accident victims, victims of a ruptured appendix or inflamed gallbladder, and those suffering from a fracture (and more)! Every time I interacted with them, or heard of their case, patients of all ages inspired me in their own unique ways to continue to learn how to best correct and fix such problems through surgery. In my general surgery clerkship, I was often asked to address pre-op questions that patients had, comfort them and put their mind at ease before wheeling them into the OR, and report to the patient in recovery with the attending physician. During surgery, I would observe and have the opportunity to ask questions afterward about specific tools and approaches used in the OR to better understand what was being done, and why. Through this experience, I gained a broad knowledge of general surgery terminology an practices, and grew to understand the importance of communication between patients, doctors, nurses, residents, and even shadowing students, collaboration, and focus during the entire surgical process.

In the tenth grade, my class entered the Body Words exhibition at X City Science Centre. Most of my classmates joked uncomfortably and cringed throughout the exhibit, but I remember being utterly captivated and intrigued—I wanted to know more. That was the first time I remember being stunned by the intricacy of the human body and the world that exists within the CNS and every bone, muscle and vein within us all. From the tenth grade onward, I knew I wanted to study medicine, but I now wholeheartedly believe that the surgical field is where my skills and interests lie, and where I can best utilize my passion. I have been continually fascinated by the human body and have been a strong observer of its functions and dysfunctions throughout my past four years in medical school, as well as throughout my undergraduate and adolescent years. I am eager to learn as much as I can about how the body works, how it fails, and how surgical interventions can help people achieve optimal function and health.

I also believe that surgical residency is where I can best utilize my communication skills and interpersonal abilities, whether communicating with colleagues or patients. During my clerkships, in general surgery, emergency medicine, and my rotations and volunteer experience in pediatrics, I learned to communicate thoroughly, calmly, and clearly with various patients, even in tough situations in the ER trauma unit; my ability to remain collected and communicative is innate, and I feel this would be an asset as a future surgeon. I have always felt a strong sense of empathy for others, which has helped me connect with patients and their families. I also believe that my years as an athlete and team captain have given me incredible discipline, leadership skills, and a competitive edge in the operating room, where every second counts and no one wants to lose. Just like on the hockey rink during AAA finals, everybody has a job to do, and communication and teamwork is key, especially when quick decisions must be made.

I have a personal connection to surgery, and this experience further drove my passion to become an expert in the field and pursue medicine. My father had a heart attack when he was 41 years old. The doctors told him that he needed open-heart surgery, but they could not perform the procedure due to his poor condition. They said that if they were able to operate on him, he would have only a 25% chance of survival. However, his skilled surgeon assured us that he would take a risk do everything he could to help my father...and he did just that. During my undergraduate years, I volunteered at the same hospital that saved my father’s life, and I attribute the volunteer experience to my ability to remain calm and level-headed in traumatic, upsetting and intense situations. In particular, I volunteered in the pediatric oncology unit for six months, met dozens of inspiring patients and had the pleasure of reading to them, assisting them with meals, as well as shadowing physician’s during scheduled appointments and post-op visits, and tense conversations with patient’s families.

I remember the first time I won a mathematics competition; people congratulated me and often spoke of my future as being one in academia. While it didn’t seem far-fetched, I, even as a teen, had visualized myself working in a hands-on field and helping people directly, despite my talent for solving complex equations.

I have loved science and math since I was in elementary school and won various awards and scholarships throughout my life, including seven state math competitions in high school, and being awarded the X University Grant (for ‘Mathematic Excellence’) in my third year of undergraduate study. But, ultimately, I knew I wanted to work hands-on, and in the medical field. I first became interested in science when my father began to take me outside to show me plants in our yard and explain their biology to me, as he is an accomplished, passionate Botanist. The knowledge he imparted on me about these plants inspired me to learn more about all kinds of organisms—not just plants— but humans. I was about ten years old when I figured that because I loved biology, anatomy, science and math, a career in medicine was the clear choice for me. And, I was in high school when I realized that working hands-on in surgery was my calling.

This interest in biology led me to pursue a combined degree in Mathematics and Biology at X University, where I began to take more speciality- focused courses to explore all of my areas of interest, like immunology. From there, I went on to medical school at XYZ College of Medicine. During my recent years in medical school I took advanced courses and completed rotations in neurosurgery, orthopedics, sports medicine, general surgery, and emergency medicine—all while working toward earning my MD degree and trying to learn as much as I could, across various fields of medicine. At the end of each day, though, surgery was always at the forefront of my mind. I am an analytic thinker, an accomplished mathematician, a science-minded MD student, with the ability to act quickly and think of several ways to approach a scenario, which I feel is a vital quality for a surgeon to have. Sometimes, the solution to a problem is black-and-white, and other times, the solution can only be found if one thinks ‘outside-the-box’; I have proven, through my academic and professional experiences, that I understand how to do both.

Your personal statement is a vital component of your residency application! It is an opportunity for you to express your interest in a particular field, in this case, surgery, and explain why you are a great fit for residency in your respective field! Remember, ERAS and CaRMS do not include prompts, and this is why it’s important that you review samples of personal statements in order to understand how to write your own and make it as strong as possible to increase your chances of admission.

Surgery is considered to be ‘medium’ or ‘average’ in terms of competitiveness, as it is in demand, a fairly popular choice, and moderately easy to match in. Remember, whether it’s the most competitive residency or the least competitive residency, your application must be stellar in order to match.

In order for any personal statement to stand out, you have to highlight what skills, experiences and accomplishments you’ve had that are relevant to the field of which you’re applying! For surgery, be sure to detail any volunteer, paid, and especially clinical clerkship experiences you’ve had that are related to surgery. You must also outline what steps you’ve taken to familiarize yourself with the field, for example, courses and clerkships, patient/rotation experiences, research, or even personal experiences that enhanced your passion for surgery.

Your CV exists to list and highlight your academic and professional achievements, and your personal statement is a story, so they are quite different. While you can certainly mention any relevant points included on your CV, such as an award or publication, in your surgery personal statement, you should ensure that it ties into the overall story you are trying to tell with your personal statement.

Your personal statement should include a very strong opening sentence/paragraph that captivates the reader (the admissions team!) and brief details that highlight why you’re a perfect fit for surgery, what specific accomplishments and experiences you’ve had that make you a strong candidate, and examples of skills you’ve acquired/experiences that taught you these vital skills.

Generally speaking, aim for 750-800 words, unless otherwise specified by the program! Personal statements are meant to be a brief, personal piece of writing that highlights your relevant skills and experiences that would make you an exceptional surgery resident.

First of all, you don’t have to address these things if you feel you shouldn’t! However, a personal statement can serve as a way for you to clarify any details and share information about what you’ve learned/how you’ve recovered from a bad grade or experience in your program. If you choose to do so, you should describe the scenario briefly and explain what you’ve learned, or, how you’ve changed as a result. Avoid any negative statements and excuses and stick to the facts!

Your personal statement is an independent story! So, we would advise against directly referring to components of your application, and encourage you to focus on creating a brief narrative that highlights the skills, experiences and qualities you possess that make you a great candidate for surgery residency.

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Orthopedic Surgery Residency Personal Statement Examples

The Medfools Orthopedic Surgery Sample Residency Personal Statement Library is now open!

These example Orthopedic Surgery residency personal statement samples are here for your viewing pleasure (fully anonymous). We’re hoping to add more in the future, including Pre-Med personal statements. If you’ve got one to add to the free library, don’t forget to  contribute yours .

ORTHOPEDICS RESIDENCY PERSONAL STATEMENT

“I did it! I did it!” she exclaimed as she ran across the exam room. After years of being told that she would only be able to walk with crutches if she wasn’t confined to a wheelchair, a 10-year old patient with cerebral palsy ran for the first time in her life. I met her one of my first days in Pediatric Orthopaedic clinic. Less than two months after surgery, this 10-year old girl was given an entirely new life. She looked up at me with a huge smile on her face. Orthopaedics was the specialty I had been looking for. 

The first two years of medical school introduced me to countless specialties that I could imagine myself entering into. I had a taste of several specialties through volunteering, work, and research, but I needed more “hands on” experience. During this time, I began working nights and weekends for State Organ/Tissue Procurement as a tissue procurement technician. We would remove from tissue donors everything from long bones, ribs and the iliac crest to lower limb veins, tendons, and even the heart en bloc for valves. It was the perfect job for a medical student. I was able to learn sterile technique, use of surgical instruments, and gain actual surgical experience without the fear of inflicting further injury to the patient. I loved the fast pace and feel of surgery. Then, during my first 3rd year rotation, I tore my ACL playing football and underwent autograft replacement one week before starting my surgical rotation. Standing on a swollen leg all day and icing it all night proved taxing and made me question my love for the OR. I enjoyed clinic during most of my rotations, but it also proved taxing without the variety of procedures. 

My first day of 4th year in Pediatric Orthopaedics, I felt this was what I had been looking for. First of all, I could empathize with many of the patients in clinic having broken multiple bones myself: everything from a both bone forearm fracture skiing, to my nose in basketball practice, to a partial achilles tendon tear and then my ACL playing football, not to mention all the hand, finger, and toe fractures. Second, it brought back all of the excitement I felt in my job as a Tissue Procurement Tech with the additional adrenaline rush of working on a dynamic, living person. I was thrilled to see the opposite end of the work I had done in tissue recovery. Witnessing firsthand the results of allograft tendons, bone blocks, and fracture sites packed with bone powder further increased the pride I had in working with donors. Third, I valued being able to have an immediate impact on the patient’s quality of life. I saw an 8-year-old boy in the ER who had been hit by a car and sustained multiple displaced fractures with nerve impingement at his right elbow. The tears of concern and fear in the eyes of his parents were only matched by tears of relief when the cast was removed and full range of motion was reestablished. 

Through Orthopaedics I could provide a good life for my family.. Knowing from experience that I would be prepared to take care of them in the event of an accident would also bring peace to my soul. My family is the most important aspect of my life and the highlight of my day is when I can give my wife and 8 week old daughter a hug and a kiss. My time to spend with them is extremely valuable to me. Also, a good physician should be well rounded and I value my occasional free time to pursue interests such as: football, scuba diving, skiing, hiking , hunting, community volunteer work, church activities, and the occasional nap. With good time management I feel I will be able to occasionally enjoy these aspects of my life. 

I always hoped that I would be excited to go to work and that I would find people as passionate about their jobs as I was. I have yet to meet an Orthopaedic Surgeon who didn’t have a smile while telling me about their job. I could not be more excited about what my future holds.

uld answer the question, “Will I be able to see better after you remove my cataract?”  To learn the skills necessary to begin to answer this type of question, I have decided to pursue an accelerated M.P.H. with a focus on Effectiveness and Outcomes Research over the upcoming year at The School of Public Health of Big University. To apply my interest in clinical research to ophthalmology, I became involved with a study on glaucoma medication adherence with Dr. Janet Serle.  We are developing a strategy to identify which patients are non-adherent and why they are non-adherent in a way that is minimally time-intensive for busy practitioners.  In addition to planning the design and implementation of this project, I have helped procure funding for the study.  This experience demonstrated my desire to develop the skills to identify clinical problems, investigate possible resolutions, and ultimately improve health care for patients. Thus, my experiences in basic science and clinical research, my patient encounters in ophthalmology, and my advanced training in public health have all prepared me for a career in academic ophthalmology. As an eye physician and surgeon, I will maintain my broad range of interests from providing medical and surgical care to a diverse group of patients, to designing and running clinical trials, and to advocating for change in health policy. Finally, my strong work ethic, attention to detail, and profound respect for the importance of vision to a patient’s quality of life will all be valuable assets in both succeeding in a residency program and administering compassionate care for my patients.

Post Author: fool

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Analyzing the Orthopaedic Surgery Personal Statement: Do Residency Applicants See Value in Its Use?

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February 17, 2019

What I Learned from My Shadowing Experiences

As a pre-med, I was grateful to shadow seven physicians in different medical environments. Some were primary care doctors, others were D.O. physicians. I even had the opportunity to learn alongside an orthopedic surgeon. People constantly say shadowing is important for resumes, applications, and medical school acceptances– and that’s true. But shadowing is more than just a resume builder. The life lessons I learned while shadowing helped shape my view of medicine and gave me an invaluable glimpse into a physician’s lifestyle.

<< READ: How Can I Continue Volunteering in the Age of COVID-19? >>

Medicine is More Than a 9 to 5 Job

I am not sure about everyone else, but before shadowing, I thought primary-care doctors had pretty standard 9am to 5pm jobs. Call me naive, but I heard this myth many times before college. Growing up, I imagined medicine being confined to a clinic, but today I know the doctor’s role continues after the clinic closes and further into learning about people’s lifestyles.

Shadowing helped me see how adaptive physicians are. Physicians I followed chose well-researched diagnosis plans for their patients, worked well within a team, and were health-care leaders. From watching these doctors, I began to understand which skills I needed to develop before applying to medical school. I learned more about medicine and being physician from 100 hours of shadowing than years of researching “what a doctor does.” My shadowing experiences helped me understand what I  could expect as a doctor and I am thankful to the physicians who let me see their lifestyle up close.

Doctors are constantly reading, writing, researching, and collaborating. Being a physician is a demanding job that requires a dedication to life-long learning, human interaction, and often-long hours of either studying or working. Physicians have to get their licenses renewed, be on call, and respond to emergencies. I once stayed with a doctor after his shift for three hours to write detailed patient histories. There were days where I followed a medical team for 12 hours, went home to sleep, and did it again the next day to learn more. Another time I witnessed a doctor work on their birthday. Shadowing quickly revealed some of more challenging responsibilities of medicine. Now, I understand more about the daily sacrifices doctors make and know this is not your average 9 to 5 job.  

Social Sciences Are Important

I may be a little biased because I was an Anthropology student in undergrad, but one of the most influential lessons I learned while shadowing doctors was the importance of social sciences. By having a general knowledge of many lifestyles, cultures, and generational norms, physicians can often tailor their medical care to each patient. My most influential mentor, Dr. B was a woman who inspired me to pursue an Anthropology degree despite its unpopularity among pre-medical students.

When shadowing Dr. B, I often saw how a patient’s environmental and biological factors are related. Once, a family brought their young child into the pediatric practice. Dr. B knew their rural housing was supplied by well water, and advised them to supplement their water source with fluoride drops. Since she understood her patients’ living situation, Dr. B was able to advise a way to reduce the development of cavities and other related diseases later in the infant’s life. Dr. B’s knowledge of social circumstances complemented her medical training. Now in medical school, we often review case studies of Americans whose lifestyle choices affect their health over time. So far, my medical training is parallel to my shadowing experiences and there continues to be a bridge between social realities and biological outcomes. This marriage between social science disciplines and medical knowledge is one of the major reasons I became interested in medical school.

Medicine is Patient-Centered

When shadowing I have asked doctors, “What is the most important aspect to learn before medical school?” Surprisingly, these physicians often respond with one central theme: Patient care. These experiences helped me witness the importance of developing an enjoyment for continuous patient interaction. On television, doctors are usually portrayed as the center of medicine, but from my shadowing, I know patients are the real focus of the medical world. Everyone has a story and doctors try their best to use a patient’s history to diagnosis and treat them. We saw patients from different genders, races, and zip codes and helping every single one was the main focus of the medical teams I met. My advice for anyone wanting to become more like the doctors I shadowed is to get ready to commit your life to serving others and often even putting their needs before your own. The sacrifices I witnessed for patients’ health were all worth it to the physicians I shadowed and I anticipate patient-centered care to continue making differences in American lives.

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Ashley R. Peterson is a medical student at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. – Georgia Campus. She received her BA in Anthropology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Her blog, “Daily Medicine Blog” revolves around medicine, travel, and daily life at www.drashleyroxanne.com .

Related Resources:

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Interested in Pursuing in Orthopaedic Surgery

I’m a senior in high school right now and I’ve been wanting to be an orthopedic surgeon for a few months now. I have been researching quite a bit about it and I have planned to meet with a few surgeons and have a few family friends and acquaintances who have set up a job shadow for me. I was wondering about how long surgeries take because I’m fairly busy with school, work, and sports but I would really like to shadow them. I was also wondering how stressful med school, residency, and/or your fellowship is. I’ve heard it’s stressful but I’d like to know generally how stressful it is so I can be prepared.

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Orthopedic surgery residency personal statement

As a doctor, learning billions of topics in 4-year duration is much easier than writing a page of a statement. Here are some examples to guide you with sample personal statements.

Orthopedic surgery sample personal statement 1

Orthopedic surgery sample personal statement 2

Orthopedic surgery sample personal statement 3

Orthropedic surgery personal statement 1

“I did it! I did it!” she exclaimed as she ran across the exam room. After years of being told that she would only be able to walk with crutches if she wasn’t confined to a wheelchair, a 10-year-old patient with cerebral palsy ran for the first time in her life. I met her on one of my first days in the Pediatric Orthopaedic clinic. Less than two months after surgery, this 10-year-old girl was given an entirely new life. She looked up at me with a huge smile on her face. Orthopedics was the specialty I had been looking for.

The first two years of medical school introduced me to countless specialties that I could imagine myself entering into. I had a taste of several specialties through volunteering, work, and research, but I needed more “hands-on” experience. During this time, I began working nights and weekends for State Organ/Tissue Procurement as a tissue procurement technician. We would remove from tissue donors everything from long bones, ribs, and the iliac crest to lower limb veins, tendons, and even the heart en bloc for valves. It was the perfect job for a medical student. I was able to learn sterile techniques, use surgical instruments, and gain actual surgical experience without the fear of inflicting further injury to the patient. I loved the fast pace and feel of surgery. Then, during my first 3rd-year rotation, I tore my ACL playing football and underwent autograft replacement one week before starting my surgical rotation. Standing on a swollen leg all day and icing it all night proved taxing and made me question my love for the OR. I enjoyed the clinic during most of my rotations, but it also proved taxing without the variety of procedures.

On the first day of my 4th year in Pediatric Orthopaedics, I felt this was what I had been looking for. First of all, I could empathize with many of the patients in the clinic having broken multiple bones myself: everything from both bone forearm fracture skiing, to my nose in basketball practice, to a partial Achilles tendon tear and then my ACL playing football, not to mention all the hand, finger, and toe fractures. Second, it brought back all of the excitement I felt in my job as a Tissue Procurement Tech with the additional adrenaline rush of working on a dynamic, living person. I was thrilled to see the opposite end of the work I had done in tissue recovery. Witnessing firsthand the results of allograft tendons, bone blocks, and fracture sites packed with bone powder further increased the pride I had in working with donors. Third, I valued being able to have an immediate impact on the patient’s quality of life. I saw an 8-year-old boy in the ER who had been hit by a car and sustained multiple displaced fractures with nerve impingement at his right elbow. The tears of concern and fear in the eyes of his parents were only matched by tears of relief when the cast was removed and a full range of motion was reestablished.

Through Orthopaedics I could provide a good life for my family. Knowing from experience that I would be prepared to take care of them in the event of an accident would also bring peace to my soul. My family is the most important aspect of my life and the highlight of my day is when I can give my wife and 8-week-old daughter a hug and a kiss. My time spent with them is extremely valuable to me. Also, a good physician should be well-rounded and I value my occasional free time to pursue interests such as football, scuba diving, skiing, hiking, hunting, community volunteer work, church activities, and the occasional nap. With good time management, I feel I will be able to occasionally enjoy these aspects of my life.

I always hoped that I would be excited to go to work and that I would find people as passionate about their jobs as I was. I have yet to meet an Orthopaedic Surgeon who didn’t have a smile while telling me about their job. I could not be more excited about what my future holds.

Orthopedic surgery personal statement 2

As I approach the next step in my medical education, I look back over my twenty-five years and see several experiences that have led me to pursue a career in orthopedic surgery. These experiences have allowed me to develop certain traits that would make me a valuable member of an orthopedic team.

When I was growing up, my father was always working on a project around the house. From building a deck in the backyard to replacing the brakes or exhaust system on the family car, I was frequently out there helping him. Learning about the mechanisms that make things work became very fascinating to me. Additionally, using my hands to create or fix things that were broken became quite enjoyable, and seeing the end results of my efforts brought me a sense of pride and accomplishment. These interests in how things work, and subsequently how to repair them when needed, led me to pursue studies in the sciences. Further education in the sciences drew me to medicine, and specifically to orthopedics. As an orthopedist, I envision having the same kind of feelings. Whether repairing a fractured bone or replacing a worn-out joint, I would again initially consider the mechanisms involved in normal function, and then use my hands to fix things that were broken or create something entirely new. The end result, a return to normal or near-normal function and subsequent improvement in the quality of life, would be extremely satisfying to the patient as well as to me.

Years of involvement in team athletics have also contributed to shaping my career path. Engaging in football, basketball, and baseball, from Little League all the way to college intramurals, has taught me many important lessons: the value of hard work, how to function well with others as part of a unit, and about making personal sacrifices for the greater good of the team. While these values are important in virtually any career, they seem especially critical for a resident physician in the surgical field.

Sometimes an athlete must risk personal harm in order to advance the goals of the team. In fact, it was an athletic injury that provided me with my first exposure to the field of orthopedic surgery. While playing intramural football during my freshman year of college, I tore the medial meniscus in my right knee. Due to the symptoms associated with the injury, I subsequently underwent arthroscopic surgery twice. During both operations, regional anesthesia was used, which allowed me the opportunity to be conscious during the surgery. Because my orthopedist was very interested in his role as an educator as well as a healer, he was more than willing to explain what he was doing as I followed along on one of the television monitors. The ability to perform technologically advanced surgery through such small incisions was immediately fascinating to me. By the time the second surgery took place, medical school was already in my future, and pursuing a career in orthopedic surgery became a distinct possibility.

Embarking upon my clinical rotations, I vowed to keep an open mind regarding residency selection, to see what the various medical and surgical fields were like. Feeling the most excited yet most comfortable in the operating room made my choice between the surgical and medical fields rather easy. After further contemplating my experiences and options, I realized that orthopedic surgery was what I saw for my future. Of all the factors involved in making my decision, the most vital one was actually the simplest. The ability to enjoy going to work every day is very important to me. It was during the orthopedics rotation that I would wake up in the morning before my alarm clock went off, eagerly anticipating what the day would bring, and finally leaving at night in disbelief that so many hours could seemingly pass so quickly. This was all the evidence that I needed to ensure that this was the right choice for me.

As for what the future holds, although I am not sure which orthopedic subspecialty I might pursue after residency, my plan is to combine my interests in clinical care, education, and research into developing a well-rounded practice. Through this practice, I look forward to making meaningful and rewarding contributions to my patients, my colleagues, and the field of orthopedics

The metal ladder in my hand felt cold. “Should have grabbed my thicker gloves,” I told myself with every step over the uneven glacier. I had no time to look for them when the Sherpa knocked and yelled, “Doctors, help! My friend hurt.” Truthfully, I did not expect to be out that long in the subzero Himalayan night. The Sherpa’s friend was an experienced climber unsuccessfully attempting to climb Mt. Pumori. He had broken his leg on a fall, gotten frostbite during the rescue, and now had cerebral edema. The backpack frame that had hours earlier carried his gear now provided traction for his femur. The climbing rope that caught his fall now tied him to his stretcher, the metal ladder in my hand.

One false move, one moment of inattention, and all the power he had as a climber disappeared. It was my fascination with this delicate balance between strength and fragility that has twice led me to Nepal. I have seen firsthand the possibilities and defeats of the human body and aligned these experiences with my goals as a future surgeon. What I discovered is that the specialty of orthopedics is not surgery of the extremities, but the art of restoring life. Through my patients, I saw in myself the ability to offer back strength, return motion, and recover function. I saw myself as an Orthopaedic Surgeon.

This realization became clear to me in the mountains of Nepal, but the decision was an evolution that began long ago. Lego building blocks as a child were my first introduction to engineering, Then came the integration of mechanics and movement with robotics in high school, and eventually human biomechanics as an engineer in college. With these courses, I learned to see the body in a new and amazing way. Engineering enabled me to envision muscles not as simple contractile tissues, but as the motors for the pulleys that move our bones. Biomechanics made bones evolve from static connectors into the dynamic moment-arms of life. This fascination with the human body drives my interest in orthopedics and, coupled with my love of patients and surgery, will provide me with a career of continuous discovery and fulfillment.

Continuous development is an age-old theme in Orthopaedic Surgery. Broken bones have been treated by immobilization for thousands of years, yet the field continues to evolve. Arthroscopy, nerve transfers, and, in due time, stem cells will radically change old techniques and establish new standards of care. These innovations both improve patient outcomes while demanding an increased level of skill and technique from the surgeon. Throughout my educational career, I have demonstrated the aptitude and motivation necessary to keep abreast of this expanding knowledge base. Additionally, as a lifelong athlete and engineer, I have developed the coordination, dexterity, and three-dimensional spatial relationship skills required to succeed in complex, innovative surgeries. As the field of Orthopaedic Surgery continues to change, I look forward to taking part in such an advancement. I anticipate combining my interest in surgery, my devotion to patient care, and my engineering background into a career that includes surgery, research, and biodevice development.

Now I begin a lifelong commitment to learning the art of Orthopaedic Surgery. As I look forward to the residency I am captivated by the excitement of the adventure to come. I envision residency as a place to offer my experiences to patients and colleagues in exchange for their trust and gifts of knowledge. I bring with me lessons of integrity from my parents and lessons of courage from my sister, Leigh, who lives with severe cerebral palsy. I bring a genuine commitment to patients and their families. I bring confidence and potential, balanced with laughter and humility. I bring an understanding of the impact of Orthopaedic Surgery from my experiences, including that seminal night in Nepal. I bring all of myself, and in return I will be given the lifelong responsibility of perfecting and advancing the art of Orthopaedic Surgery.

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