
Courtney
Certified Tutor
Standing over a man's body and watching his heart beat outside of his chest was breathtaking. It was at this moment that I was 100 percent sure of my calling. In the summer of 2017, I was blessed with the opportunity to shadow Dr. Chun Huie Lin, a cardiologist and director of the Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program at Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center. Shadowing Dr. Lin was the most amazing thing I have ever done in my life. During rounds in the hospital, I received training on the proper way to give information to patients, how to work with other staff members effectively, and the inner workings of the hospital. Seeing the reaction on the patients' faces after we helped them was priceless and went beyond anything I ever imagined. Shadowing gave me the opportunity to form relationships with the staff members who made a major impact on my life by welcoming me with open arms and offering their time to help me understand basic medical techniques. I look forward to shadowing Dr. Lin again this summer to continue learning about the medical field and acquiring more hands-on experience. Working these hours taught me that I need to come prepared to work every day. I needed to come prepared to learn and work to the best of my ability, a mentality instilled in me by my wonderful parents.
When I was growing up, my parents did not have a stable income to care for four children, plus themselves, but they made it work without my siblings or I noticing. Watching my parents work tirelessly morning and night has pushed me to become a better person. I want to excel in my career, help others to the best of my ability, and become someone my parents can be proud of, as I am of them.
For as long as I can remember, all I have ever wanted to be is a doctor, more specifically an anesthesiologist. My parents, along with various counselors, and college professors have always told me to keep my options open because students often change their mind about what to become in life. However, once my mind and heart are set on a goal, I will accomplish it.
Throughout my life I have been a self-motivated student who takes pride in his work. I am also a hardworking and honorable person who adheres to his core values in a time when many young people lose their way. My professors describe me as "a young man who stands out among his peers." I contribute to others by bringing a positive attitude, my previous experiences, and life lessons. My peers would say that I am all about others and what I can do to uplift them to aid them in becoming successful.
I have had several surgeries, one on each wrist and one on both eyes. During these procedures, I built relationships with my doctors, specifically my anesthesiologists. They were very open to answering my questions about college, internships, and medical school. I was excited to learn about how they overcame many obstacles and encouraged by the fact that no matter how hard times got, they never gave up on their dreams.
Three years ago, I volunteered at Fallbrook Nursing and Rehabilitation Center assisting the nurses with their daily duties. Helping out the older people in my community filled my heart with joy. This small act of kindness made a big impact on many of the people at the nursing home, myself included. To see the smile on their faces when I arrived was one of the greatest feelings I have ever experienced. I take pride in doing an exceptional job, and I enjoy participating in organizations that are going to help make a difference in the world.
Although students may never have the opportunity of volunteering or shadowing doctors, these experiences have truly opened my eyes and given me a new perspective. I learned that giving to the community, no matter the amount, can make an impact on the world. My experiences as a whole have led me to become the best person I can be, and if the Lord wills it, someday medical doctor (M.D.) will go behind my name, and I will be able to do what I was born to do, serve the people in this world with my knowledge of medicine.
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Undergraduate Degree: University of Mary Hardin-Baylor - Bachelor of Science, Cellular and Molecular Biology
I have great interest in genetics, microbiology, and molecular and cellular biology. I have been working as an undergraduate researcher under Dr. Kathleen Wood since January 2017. I have worked as a microbiology lab preparer, genetics lab assistant, and chemistry lab assistant for the past 2 years. Although I have accomplished much in school, I have still found time to be active in my community and campus organizations.
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