The Medfools IMG Surgery Sample Residency Personal Statement Library is now open!
These sample surgery residency personal statement examples for IMGs 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.
IMG SURGERY PERSONAL STATEMENT
Surgery requires determination, intelligence, precision, patience, and compassion for success. While some of these attributes are inherent in my character, others have been achieved and improved throughout my medical career.
My general surgery internship rotation at the National Cancer Institute at the University of OutsidetheUS revealed the full beauty of surgery to me. The ability of the surgeon to remove and often cure manifestations of a disease which could have ended the patient’s life was inspiring. Through out my internship, I was attracted most to surgical aspects of that specialties such as OBGYN and pediatric surgery. I found I was most satisfied in the operating room, where a very organized team was working in harmony. The event that solidified my decision to become a surgeon was my first minor operation, a cervical lymph node biopsy. The procedure started with a discussion of how to plan my incision; its direction, length, how to cut through different layers safely, and to do nothing blindly. It was by no means a major procedure, but the excitement and sense of satisfaction that I gained after completing it confirmed that I loved every aspect of surgery, from the academic discussions, to the operating room, and the care of the patient.
In my internship year; I spent two months in general surgery, two months in oncologic surgery, and one month in the surgical emergency department. During that year, I was observing, sharing, and performing procedures while learning how to take a focused history, performing physical exams, and formulating a differential diagnosis. I gained valuable hands-on experience and technical skills in inserting Ryle tubes, urinary catheters, peripheral cannula, abdominocentesis, thoracocentesis, wound care, sutures and minor surgical procedures. I decided to complete a surgical oncology residency to further my clinical skills. My program comprises six months in five surgical oncology units and six months in the General Surgery Department of University Hospitals. Rotating between surgical units I gained enormous clinical experience. In the Cancer Institute I learned to work with patients in the clinic including taking a surgical history, physical examination, and metastatic workup. On the ward I practiced preoperative preparation, postoperative management, fluid management, nutrition, and the detection and management of surgical complications. In the operating room I assisted in major surgical procedures and performed others under supervision. Later, as a senior resident I organized junior residents’ rotations and teaching rounds while supervising the house officers training program. These leadership positions taught me; precision, patience, how to mange many things at a time, and how to become a decision maker.
Beyond my work as a resident, I obtained a Masters degree in general surgery from the University of MidEast, after completing a thesis entitled “A Comparative Study of Free & Pedicled TRAM Flaps for Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy”. Then I applied for the PhD. in surgical oncology where my ongoing thesis is “Salvage Surgery for Recurrent or Persistent Carcinoma of the Cervix After Non Surgical Primary Therapy”. I learned many things from my research such literature searches, analyzing patient charts, and data analysis. I think this research will be the basis for performing more in the US where more resources are available.
After completing my residency program, I worked as a registrar of general surgery for one year in at International Hospital, one of the largest medical facilities in the country, offering all medical and surgical subspecialties. This year added enormous experience in the field of general surgery, I assisted in many procedures such as laparoscopic cholecystectomy, laparoscopic gastric banding, Whipple’s operation, and performed others such as hernias repair, hemorrhoid surgery. In addition, I supervised residents and presented cases.
With these years of clinical surgery experience, I will be a valuable and a productive team member right from the start of my residency in the US. I am sure my success in residency will come, as I plan to devote all of my energy to excel as one of the top residents in my class. Still eager to learn more, refine my technique, and participate in research, my general surgery residency will help me grow even more.