Amer Homsi

General Surgery Personal Statement

ERAS 2012

At the age of twelve, the notion that my father had cancer was a horrifying one, for I was aware that cancer can be life threatening without being armed with the understanding that modern medicine is capable of intervening and altering the course of such afflictions. I was told that a surgeon was going to remove the cancer from my fathers body. This left me astonished and bewildered: my fathers cancer was going to simply be removed from his body, and he would be cured. This period in my young life, and my fascination and admiration of the surgeon who cured my father would ultimately culminate in my decision to become a physician. During medical school, my interest in the medical sciences flourished, and with the completion of each course, my eagerness to learn grew. However, it wasnt till my third year surgery clerkship that this interest and fascination evolved into an utter infatuation. I had found my calling, and as I spent increasing amounts of time as an active member on a surgical team, I began to better understand the dynamics involved in being part of a surgical team. I also gained an appreciation of the various characteristics that were the make up of an adroit surgeon, such as being a team player, possessing leadership skills, dedication, inquisitiveness, and an eagerness to learn and zeal for the medical sciences. The feedback I received during my clerkship yielded a confidence within me that I did indeed possess the traits that, along with hard work and dedication would aid me in realizing my maximum potential as an academic surgeon. In my fourth year, I rotated on a surgical team as a sub intern. During this rotation, I was charged with increasing responsibilities, and obtained a much more in-depth experience of being involved in the care and management of surgical illness. Also, the presence of third year students on the team offered me the opportunity to preview the prospect of being a teacher. This was not only a greatly enjoyable and rewarding experience, but also an enlightening one. It offered me the understanding that the journey to becoming a surgeon did not consist of concrete steps, but rather, it was a continuum on which at any point during my training, I would be integrating the roles of student, teacher, team player, leader, and caregiver. Through constantly seeking feedback and guidance, and witnessing my own growth and development, my belief that I possessed the traits required to become a successful surgeon was validated. But perhaps most importantly was my new understanding that becoming a surgeon, rather than being an end point, was a lifelong process of learning and improving, one through which I would constantly be acquiring new skills through which I would apply the art and science of surgery. As my understanding and appreciation of the dedication, hard work, and sacrifices that becoming a successful surgeon entails maturated, so did my respect and admiration of those who pursue this path. With this, I began to hold the belief that being a surgeon was a great privilege that could only be attained by possessing a passion for the art and science of surgery, and it is such a passion that makes me confident that I will excel in my chosen career as an academic surgeon. My collective experiences during my third year surgery clerkship and during my rotation as a sub intern, along with my involvement in surgical research has allowed me to delineate my future ambition of undergoing surgical trainings at an academic institution. The institution at which I train would ideally offer me the opportunity to acquire the skill sets, knowledge, and the mentorship relationships that will afford me the prospect of realizing my potential as a successful and adroit surgeon, and to contribute to the advancement of the arts and sciences of surgery through research, academics, excellent patient care, and embarking on the journey of becoming a lifelong student of the art and science of surgery.