This video features Cecile S reading her medical school personal statement, which she states led to interviews at 12 medical schools and acceptances to nine. She shares this as the first in a series of videos addressing her medical school application, aiming to provide inspiration and guidance for aspiring medical students.
Marhaba, meaning hello in Arabic, was a familiar greeting at my regular doctor visits. Amongst spare walls and glaring fluorescent lights, the soothing sound of my family's mother tongue infused the room with warmth. As a child, I never gave it much thought that my parents spoke with my doctors almost exclusively in Arabic. All I felt was relief, knowing I was in the care of someone who understood my background. Lively conversations about shared Middle Eastern dishes and customs seamlessly integrated into my appointment, bridging health care and heritage. Years later, while shadowing my pediatrician, I witnessed the same cultural sensitivity as she explained medical concepts with patients upbringing and values in mind. She encouraged parents to vaccinate their daughters against HPV while acknowledging their belief in premarital abstinence. Prescribing medication for a patient observing Ramadan, she adjusted the timing so he could fast. As I watched her build trust with patients in vulnerable positions, I began to envision myself bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and compassionate patient care. Hours after my encounters, I was still reflecting on both the patients biological needs and individual needs. Eager to pursue my interest in understanding medicine within a socioultural context, I entered Brown University and created a major called infectious epidemiology, synthesizing my interests in history, biology, and public health. Whether I was analyzing malaria drug resistance in Rwanda through Brown Center of International Health or investigating social needs across Chicago zip codes at Northwestern Medicine, my projects traversed global and urban landscapes, supporting my desire to address community level healthcare disparities with sensitivity and cultural competency. An epidemiologic focus provided me with a macrolevel understanding of socioeconomic needs and communities. My later clinical experiences encouraged a microlevel understanding of patients experiences. Volunteering at a skilled nursing facility emphasized the importance of understanding individual needs. As I connected with geriatric patients, leveraging social capital to promote health. I enveloped one patients trembling hand in mine as we placed bingo chips together every Sunday. We triumphed as a team, not only in winning the game, but also in reclaiming motor skills her Parkinson's disease attempted to steal. I flipped through scrapbook photos with another patient, visualizing moments she shared with her late husband to help her retain memories as she tackled early stage dementia. But my most memorable patient, Jay, emphasized the importance of listening to patients stories, both the spoken and unspoken. One day, I noticed Jay gripping her hip as she winced in pain. When the nurse came in, her demeanor and hunched position immediately changed. She said to the nurse that she felt great and did not need medicine. Confused, I linkered and she confessed, "I cannot afford additional medications. I have no choice." She confided in me about her financial struggles after her husband's death. She was used to living in pain because she couldn't afford peace. It was clear she had never been asked about her financial difficulties and how they affected her ability to stay healthy. With her consent, I informed the nurses who consulted a social worker to explore covered medication options. Though Jay was adamant in refusing help earlier, I watched hope build in her eyes as she learned about her eligibility for assistance programs. Seeing Jay's silent struggle with pain brought to light the often overlooked intersection between an individuals health and socioeconomic factors. This inspired me to be a physician who understands and works to address the ways patients social needs impact their narratives. My time at nursing home also reinforced my commitment to ensuring patients are seen as distinct individuals rather than labeled by their diagnosis. My own unique narrative of growing up in an immigrant low-income household led to my passion for health equity and strong desire to uplift others stories. Drawing from my interest in narratives and understanding the role of education as a social determinant of health, I co-founded a nonprofit, Notable Narratives, in 2020. Over four years, I've led a team of over 200 college adviserss, uplifting more than 1,750 firstgen and low-income students in their journey to higher education. Since our nonprofit is centered on sharing stories and presenting students holistically, my clinical interactions continuously inform and inspire my work. Aware of the transformative impact of education on one's projected health and well-being, I hope that by expanding college access, we can foster healthier future communities. Now when I get the opportunity to greet my Arabic speaking mentees or patients with marhaba, I watch apprehension melt into relief as our shared background and understanding fosters connection. The narratives and experiences of each patients journey are as vital as the anatomy of their body. I'm committed to acknowledging my future patients diverse backgrounds and leveraging this knowledge to inform their care as a future physician.
