“Service is the rent we pay to be living. It is the very purpose of life and not something you do in your spare time.” - Marian Wright Edelman
My philosophy as a medical professional is based on my desire to not simply treat conditions, but to serve my patients with compassion. This philosophy has been shaped by my unique life and educational experiences.
One such experience that shaped this philosophy was the ganglion cyst excision surgery I had in high school. As a member of my high school band, I was very concerned about how this surgery would affect my ability to perform in an upcoming competition. After I expressed my concern to the doctor, he took great care to perform the surgery in a way that did not compromise my ability to perform. This experience demonstrated to me that the doctor was not simply interested in treating my condition but also in serving my needs. Through this experience, I came to appreciate the element of compassion rooted within the doctor-patient relationship.
Another experience that shaped my philosophy was a conversation I had with my aunt at my high school graduation reception. She talked about her recent diagnosis with Type 2 diabetes and the struggles she faced with changing her dietary habits. I listened to her describe the improvements in her condition as she made significant adjustments to her diet. This conversation inspired me to pursue a degree in nutrition which enabled me to better understand the relationship between nutrition and health and the ever-increasing role it plays in the practice of medicine.
After graduating with a bachelor of sciences in nutrition, I entered a graduate program in public health which further shaped my philosophy. During my graduate studies I learned the importance of health education and health disparities. Health education and health disparities are important to medical professionals because they provide a better context to not only treat diseases but to take care of the...