Medical Oncology Personal Statement

Teams and Teamwork According to the Interprofessional Education Collaborative Expert Panel (2011), there are several specific values and ethical competencies to follow. The ethical considerations are related to providing safe and appropriate care to all patients. This follows the core competency of providing respect and privacy to patients while maintaining confidentiality

I have always sought new experiences and wanted a personal "Wheel of Fortune" in life to guide me. Regardless of how I spin that wheel, it consistently lands on one crucial connection: bringing happiness to others by aiding them in their recovery journeys. Witnessing my grandfather's challenging journey with prostate cancer profoundly impacted me, igniting a passion to join the healthcare field. I aim to be an empathetic, loyal, and steady support system for my patients as they overcome obstacles, advocating for them as a Physician Assistant (PA). From a young age, I witnessed the trials and tribulations of my grandfather's recovery journey.

The Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Physician Assistant (PA) Program's mission statement resonates deeply with my aspirations as a future PA. The program places an emphasis on providing holistic, patient-centered care as a collaborative team of healthcare workers, which aligns with my core beliefs. These values have been shaped by my academic journey as well as in my practical experience. The Northwestern PA program’s mission statement is centered around a commitment to providing patient centered care and collaboration with various healthcare professionals.

I have always been intrigued at the way a PA works together with other PAs and doctors in order to effectively treat a patient, and that the result of their care is due to teamwork within the profession. As a kid, I was always told that “one mind is never enough”, and I truly believe that is the case when it comes to medicine. With medicine always being on the move, and more techniques and treatment options available, the more minds working together, the better the outcome for the patient. I also have found that by working together as a team, we learn humility and effective communication, and without that we cannot work as

Health care professionals need to maintain a high degree of professionalism, while possessing the upmost degree of integrity. A patient needs to feel confident and safe at all

Collaboration among health care professionals is defined as assuming complementary roles and cooperatively working together, sharing responsibility for problem solving and making decisions to formulate and carry out plans for patient care. (Fagin, 2008). In any field of health care where physicians and nurses interact with one another for the purpose of quality patient care, it is vital for them to work together as one and understand the needs of their patients as well as each other’s roles and responsibilities. In short, teamwork should prevail for excellent patient service. Therefore, being in full partnership as a nurse with the physician and other healthcare professional is another recommendation that is applied by the RWJ-IOM report.

I am driven by the desire to ensure that all patients, regardless of their background have access to compassionate and equitable care. I aspire to be an advocate for patients from all walks of life, ensuring they feel valued, understood, and supported throughout their healthcare journey. With my background, I bring empathy and cultural sensitivity to my practice, fostering a healing environment where patients are truly heard and respected. As a future PA, I am dedicated to delivering effective patient-centered care and contributing to a more inclusive healthcare

Each morning patients came in for assessment and the treatment team developed or altered existing treatment protocols. I longed to be part of this team, working to stabilize each patient so they could return home to pursue their goals. The nurses stood out to me as the team members at ground zero in the unit, working directly with patients, and advocating for them in meetings. As a Nurse Practitioner, I will provide this same standard of holistic care to my patients, taking into consideration their biological, social, psychological and cultural needs while developing and implementing treatment decisions.

In all my experiences as a nurse, I’ve realized the importance of communication, providing holistic care to an individual and empowering them with the knowledge to manage their health. When an illness strikes a person, it affects not just his body, but also his mind and spirit. The art of communication is invaluable to patient interaction and establishing a therapeutic nurse-patient relationship, that facilitate coping mechanisms for patients, moreover it prepared myself as a nurse to meet their individual needs. Furthermore, there is at the moment an insurmountable demand for survivorship care as a result of the advancement in technology and medicine, which made living beyond life expectancy possible for increasingly more people. Living after cancer treatment is not free of complications as there are acute and chronic side effects of treatment that requires constant monitoring and attention, and this information spurred me to shift my focus from palliative to survivorship care.

His role as an oncologist has profoundly influenced the manner in which I plan to practice medicine in the future: with respect, compassion, and empathy for my patients. It was my observation of his interactions with cancer surviving patients that first inspired me to pursue medicine. These interactions inspired me not only to embark on a profession where I could serve others, but also make a difference in the lives of others. I believe I can make the biggest impact in the lives of my future patients by combining my passion for the clinic and science as a physician-scientist. Though I am early in my medical journey, and am willing to keep an open mind, it is only natural that I yearn to pursue a profession related to oncology.

As the child of Brazilian immigrant parents, I grew up with a deep appreciation for the value of hard work, determination, and the importance of community. These values have been the foundation of my upbringing and have motivated me to pursue a career where I can make a meaningful impact in the lives of others. As I reflect on my journey, I realize that my passion for healthcare and helping others stems from my experiences growing up in a family that struggled to access quality healthcare. These experiences have inspired me to pursue a career as a physician assistant, where I can provide compassionate care to underserved communities and work towards reducing healthcare disparities. I am excited to apply to PA school and take the next step towards

In the summer of 2022, I participated in a high school cancer research program by BC Cancer, and it is the most significant contribution to myself and my extended communities due to its impacts on the scientific field, the world and my personal growth. My desire to play my part in society and create a positive change in the world was the reason I volunteered for the summer internship. With cancer as the second leading cause of death, I am motivated to commit myself to cancer research, hoping to prevent cancer patients from suffering and discover the panacea for it. I wanted to give my best shot to help others and give back to society with my knowledge and skills. I went through multiple selection rounds, including the review of documents,

Leonard, K. E., & Kalman, M. A. (2015). The Meaning of Touch to Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy. Oncology Nursing Forum, 42(5), 517-526. doi:10.1188/15.ONF.517-526

Teamwork: When it comes to the healthcare field, teamwork is very important to ensure ultimate patient care. The nursing

Working in a hospital setting with a team that has members from many disciplines can sometimes lead to issues that are easily solved if only they are acknowledged. Some of the major issues within IP care are philosophical differences, disparity in power amongst the health care professionals (HCP), communication between the members, and inexperience in team working. The solutions that are mentioned in the following paragraphs are applicable in general and are not specific to certain cases, hence, the solutions do not apply to every