Lessons Learned on My Path to Graduation
I watched intently from the balcony at Allegheny General Hospital as the surgeon took the bone saw and opened the patient’s chest cavity revealing his diaphragm and eventually his beating heart. Simultaneously, another surgeon methodically extracted the saphenous vein from small incisions in his groin and leg near the knee. There were at least twelve medical professionals poised for action, each one perfectly scripted and confident in their task, working together to save a life. Everyone, observers and medical professionals alike, watched on pins and needles to see if the surgery was successful. Would his heart begin to beat again? Would he go home to his family? I knew at this moment; my life’s dream was to be a cardiothoracic surgeon. I looked around the room and everyone was motionless, including me. But that was not always the case.
From the day I was born, I was constantly in motion. I simply could not stop moving, even when standing still. At four years old, I was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). I spent my early years in elementary school learning coping skills and trying to blend in with my calmer classmates who seemed to have the ability to laser focus on any task while it was a Herculean effort for me to do the same.
My grades were less than ideal. I struggled to make friends. For better or for worse, I knew that I had to make a change and take control of my future.
It took me six years, carefully adjusted medicine, and a lot of hard work to break the cycle. An amazing teacher, Ms. Monier, mentored me until I was able to solve math problems with ease and confidence. My grades started to improve. I had less anxiety taking tests. Her patience and guidance were exactly what I needed. She added a smile to my face and provided brief moments of calm that allowed me to have the confidence to harness my energy and find success. I spent the rest of my elementary and middle school experience learning to improve my focus, listening and participating more in class, joining groups with like-minded friends to develop better study skills, and reestablishing myself as a good student in school and my local community. My performance in school steadily improved and I discovered that helping others, as Ms. Monier helped me, gave me a sense of purpose.
By the time I reached high school, I was a dedicated student, good friend, and athlete with a devotion to helping others. I learned how to harness my energy and leverage it to achieve my goals. In my junior year, I committed myself to an academic pathway for medicine and focused on getting the best educational experiences both inside and outside the classroom so I could become a doctor. The Pathway for Health and Medicine is an innovative academic program that helps students with aspiring careers in medical and biological sciences receive educational opportunities and experience. As a result of my hard work, I observed five births, witnessed severe burn trauma care, and studied cadavers to better understand human anatomy and physiology. I also spent time volunteering with Key Club, a student-led service organization promoting leadership through serving others, and organizations like the Grove City Food Pantry and Days for Girls.
Standing on that balcony with this rare opportunity to observe an open-heart surgery, I knew that I had found my calling. My hard work and persistence allowed me to overcome the challenges associated with my ADHD and provided the foundation to help me achieve my goals. I was overjoyed when I heard the EKG register the patient’s heart beating and the hope that he now has a bright future ahead of him – like me.
