It was almost lunch time. After two back to back c sections that took up the morning, the chaos had begun to weather. The Obstetric Anesthesia attending, Dr. S, stepped out for a quick break. Then the phone rang. “Stat C section, room 1, 24 weeks, deceleration.” I sent my attending a page and then proceeded to set up the OR. Moments later, Dr. S came in with bitter sweet news, the patient had consented to anesthesia, but refused the emergent procedure that would keep her fetus out of harms way. We looked at each other with a concerned look, but nonetheless this breather was a relief.
Around lunch time, we began preparing for our third case of the day. The phone rang again. “We are going with the Stat C section.” The patient was wheeled into the OR a few moments later and everybody scrambled to work. I felt like a NASCAR pit crew, trying to do my job as efficiently and as quickly as possible as I attached the monitors and loaded the syringes with medications. The premature baby was delivered a few minutes later and was handed off to the NICU entourage that had assembled in the corner of the room. Suddenly, an exclaim of excitement came from the operating table “there’s a twin!” This surely was not music to the ears of the NICU team, and soon the entire OR was soon thrown into a commotion unseen before in the L&D OR of Kings County Hospital.
The unexpected but pleasant news of the twin and most importantly the news of the successful baby extractions did not seem to register with the mother. Rather than elated, her face seemed confused by all the voices and people around her. For a second, I was confused by her confusion. Maybe the patient declined the C section initially to circumvent the New York State abortion restriction of 24 weeks? But that notion dissolved when she asked “is my baby ok?” To which I responded, “you have twins Ms. J, they are in good hands now.” She smiled.
_____
A group of white coats entered the room where the restless parents waned Tins was my fits! family mung dmmg my
Pbdiatn‘c Neumlogv clerkship, and l remember 1t vxvidly. The young couple had a newborn who, despite being prewously healthy
was now suffering from intractable seizures The prognoses was uncertain, and the tension was palpable. The attending stepped
forward and began to speak, explaining the condition so gently and intelligently that the atmosphere quickly brightened Everyone
suddenly welled up With hope, family and doctors now focusmg on how to move forward- A moment like this fimonstrates that a
great physician serves two roles, clinician and humanitarian. In the field of Pediatric Neurology, I aspire to be the best of both.
Throughout my academic career, I have found the study of neurology to be fascinating- The train plays a pivotal role in
virtually all bodily processes and harbors the essence of what makes each of us unique. I chose neuroscience as my unrkrgraduare
major and participated in neurology research in order to deepen my understanding of this incredible organ, Deqnte all we now
mow. l believe tin scrence of neurology remains in its infancy. However. new methods of functional imagmg, sophisticated
genetic testing, and complex computer modeling expand our knowledge every day, These advanms will drastically transform the
field oi neurology, and l am eager to incorporate them into my future practice. I have come to deeply respect neurology from a
clinical perspective through my experiences in the hospital, The heavy reliance on patient history and physical exam meats to the
complexity of many neurological conditions, both in their diagnoses and their treatment. Achieving mastery in neurology requires
an inquisitive mind and a drive to meet these challenges Throughout my career Ihave demonstrated a dedication to increasing my
rmdrcal knowledge and an aptitude for clinical reasoning. I believe these traits will help me become a truly year mirrologm-
It was after I started my clinical years that I realized my preference for working with children, not alter a mash!
procedure or a correctly answered question. but after I brought a snule to the tare ot a previously inconsolable child l relaie to chi’l'
ldren's optimism and playtul naturw. allowing me to empathize with their unique struggles as patients. I also draw from tlm'r 7”
energy, finding fulfillment in every interaction, Working with children is fun and refreshing, but the gravity involved in pefiam’cs.
and smcifwally pediauic neurology, has not been lost to rne. I have. seen the devastation caused by recmrent smus W,
progremve neurornuscular disorders. and inoperable brain tumors. I know that caring for such patients will require a dam
Manning of the human condition, and tlm strength to devote myself entirely to them. My empathy, neviously chm-med into
volunteering and teaching, will now help me to not only understand the emotions or my patients and their [amine hm to near the
mwithhndness andreapect every day.
Soonlwillheaphyaician.andmnleadlamilynieetingsorrmyown
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
It was almost lunch time. After two back to back c sections, the chaos had begun to weather. The Obstetric Anesthesia attending, Dr. S, stepped out for a quick break. Then the phone rang. “Stat C section, room 1, 24 weeks, fetal deceleration.” I sent my attending a page and then proceeded to set up the OR. Moments later, Dr. S came in with bitter sweet news, the patient had refused the emergent procedure that would keep her fetus out of harms way. We gave each other a concerned look, but nonetheless welcomed the unexpected breather.
At noon, the phone rang again. That same patient was wheeled into the OR a few moments later and everybody scrambled to work. I felt like a member of a race car pit crew, trying to do my job as efficiently and as quickly as possible as I attached the monitors and loaded the syringes with medications. The premature baby was delivered a few minutes later and was handed off to the NICU entourage that had assembled in the corner of the room. Suddenly, an exclaim of excitement came from the operating table. “There’s a twin!” This surely was not music to the ears of the NICU team, and soon the entire OR was soon thrown into a great commotion.
The unexpected but pleasant news of the second baby and most importantly the news of the successful baby extractions did not seem to register with the mother. Rather than elated, her face seemed confused by all the voices and people around her. For a second, I was puzzled by her confusion. Maybe the patient declined the C section earlier this morning in an attempt to circumvent the abortion restriction of 24 weeks? But that notion dissolved when she asked “is my baby ok?” To which I responded, “you have twins Ms. J, they are in good hands now.” She smiled. A moment like this demonstrates that a anesthesiologist serves two roles, an operating room clinician and a humanitarian.
It was after I started my clinical years that I realized my preference for working in the operating room, not after a successful procedure, or placing the closing sutures, but being involved in the patient’s care from pre-op all the way to recovery as a member of the anesthesia team. In the beginning, the OR was a daunting yet fascinating place. But after familiarizing myself with the OR etiquettes, I was able to appreciate the gravity of the potential life saving as well as life giving procedures. Patients entered in a critical state of being, and left vulnerable yet improved. All this impressed upon me, the importance of reassurance and empathy in surgical patient care. It is an extremely rewarding and humbling experience to be able to alleviate the fear and stress that manifests in patients and to have their trust for their well being during such a critical period.
In the operating room, I was amazed by what the surgeons were able to accomplish with each clip and cautery, but I was even more fascinated by the activities on the other side of the drapes. It reminded me of my research projects during my pre-clinical years that employed the use of anesthesia in the study of rodent models. During my anesthesia clerkship, I yearned to understand how patients were carefully sedated and monitored for the duration of the procedure. After learning about the science of anesthesia, I was still in awe at the art of administering anesthesia. From giving just enough propofol for a short sedation, to timing the patient’s extubation perfectly to the surgeon’s request for lowering the drapes, I had discovered the niche in medicine that will motivate me to further my knowledge and clinical skills. My energy previously channeled into achieving my medical degree and being an active member of the student body, will now help me become an anesthesiologist with strong empathy and the acumen necessary to make quick critical decisions.
Soon I will be a physician, and will be tasked with the peri-operative management of my own patients undergoing acute procedures. I hope to be able to take charge of those critical moments as the best clinician and humanitarian that I can be.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
It was almost lunch time. After two back to back c sections, the chaos had begun to weather. The Obstetric Anesthesia attending, Dr. S, stepped out for a quick break. Then the phone rang. “Stat C section, room 1, 24 weeks, fetal deceleration.” I sent my attending a page and then proceeded to set up the OR. Moments later, Dr. S came in with bitter sweet news, the patient had refused the emergent procedure that would keep her fetus out of harms way. We gave each other a concerned look, but nonetheless welcomed the unexpected breather.
At noon, the phone rang again. That same patient was wheeled into the OR a few moments later and everybody scrambled to work. I felt like a member of a race car pit crew, trying to do my job as efficiently and as quickly as possible as I attached the monitors and loaded the syringes with medications. The premature baby was delivered a few minutes later and was handed off to the NICU entourage that had assembled in the corner of the room. Suddenly, an exclaim of excitement came from the operating table. “There’s a twin!” This surely was not music to the ears of the NICU team, and soon the entire OR was soon thrown into a great commotion.
The unexpected but pleasant news of the second baby did not seem to register with the mother. Rather than elated, she seemed worried and confused by all the voices and people around her with. For a second, I was puzzled by her confusion. Maybe the patient declined the C section earlier this morning in an attempt to circumvent the abortion restriction of 24 weeks? But that notion dissolved when she asked “how is my baby?” To which I responded, “you have twins Ms. J, they are in good hands now.” She smiled. A moment like this demonstrates that an anesthesiologist serves two roles, an operating room clinician and a humanitarian.
It was after I started my clinical years that I realized my preference for working in the operating room, not after a successful procedure, or placing the closing sutures, but being involved in the patient’s care from pre-op all the way to recovery as a member of the anesthesia team. The OR was a daunting yet fascinating place. But after familiarizing myself with the OR etiquettes, I was able to appreciate the gravity of the life saving as well as life giving procedures. Patients entered in a critical state of being, and left vulnerable yet improved. All this impressed upon me, the importance of reassurance and empathy in surgical patient care. It is an extremely rewarding and humbling experience to be able to alleviate the fear and stress that manifests in patients and to have their trust for their well being during such a critical period.
In the operating room, I was amazed by what the surgeons were able to accomplish with each clip and cautery, but I was even more fascinated by the activities on the other side of the drapes. It reminded me of my research projects during my pre-clinical years that employed the use of anesthesia in the study of rodent models. During my anesthesia clerkship, I yearned to understand how patients were carefully sedated and monitored for the duration of the procedure. After learning about the science of anesthesia, I was still in awe at the art of administering anesthesia. From giving just enough propofol for a short sedation, to timing the patient’s extubation perfectly to the surgeon’s request for lowering the drapes, I had discovered the niche in medicine that will motivate me to further my knowledge and clinical skills. My energy previously channeled into achieving my medical degree and being an active member of the student body, will now help me become an anesthesiologist with strong empathy and the acumen necessary to make critical decisions.
Soon I will be a physician, and will be tasked with the peri-operative management of my own patients. I hope to be able to take charge of those critical moments as the best clinician and humanitarian that I can be.