Pediatric Neurosurgery

Whenever someone asks when my interest in medicine began, I can distinctly remember one particular memory. When I was 6 years old, like any other young girl, I was interested in dolls, dress-up, and playing pretend. The couple months up leading up to my 7th birthday, I constantly reminded my parents about a particular Barbie doll I wanted. So on the day of my birthday when opening my presents, I was anticipating to receive a Barbie doll. But instead, I opened my gift and found a doctor's kit.

Although it wasn't the exact gift I was expecting, it was in that moment that I began to fall in love with medicine. This year, my topic of study for ISM is Pediatric Neurosurgery.

For all my life, I have truly enjoyed being around children. Their worry-free, unconcerned attitude towards life is both refreshing and contagious. Unlike adults who are often preoccupied with the stresses and responsibilities that accompany every day life, children truly know how to enjoy each moment and make the best of every day. Along the same thought, when a child is sick, they are robbed of that carefree mentality. Childhood is meant to be enjoyed and filled with memories characterized by laughter and smiles. But when a child is facing a terminal illness, there are no laughter or smiles. It truly is my passion to put that smile back on a child's face.

However, this field is not just about little children. It is also about the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, sensory organs, and nerves. In my personal opinion, the brain is the most intriguing part of the body. No one in the entire world completely and thoroughly understands the brain and its complexities. Yet, it is one of the essential components to day-to-day living.

Through the course of this year, I hope to learn more about what working as a physician in the medical field is like and also to know more about what pediatric neurosurgery entails. My mission statement for the following year is as follows:

By embarking upon this Independent Study and Mentorship journey, I hope to emerge as a more informed, qualified, competent, and mature individual. As this unique experience affords me the opportunity to develop skills, discover capabilities, and distend my horizons, I will strive to truly understand what the field of pediatric neurosurgery entails. I particularly desire to learn more about the heavy demands and sacrifices required of a pediatric neurosurgeon, the dynamic environment of an operating room as well as gain a better understanding of the brain and its complexity. By gaining real-world exposure under the guidance of a mentor, I will be able to identify the most challenging and the most rewarding aspects of working within the medical field. In addition to the many valuable skills I know I will attain throughout this year, I believe that as a result of this experience, I will be able to walk away confidently knowing whether or not a career in the field of medicine lies in my future.