My Discipline

There are people out there who have always known exactly what they wanted to be when they grew up. When he was two years old, my father knew that he wanted to be a cardiologist. Thirty years later, he completed his fellowship and entered the workforce.

"Four Colors of Pills"

My dad has always been a huge inspiration to me. It's his dedication, compassion, and courage that sparked my interest in medicine. Of course, I find that I also have a knack for knowing how to help people feel better. For those reasons and more, I decided to study physiology in college.

Students in my program enter a detailed study of the human body. I will learn about the biochemistry of cells, the organ systems, pathology, and psychology, among other disciplines within physiology and anatomy. In addition to classes, students are encouraged to participated in co-curricular activities, such as research and clinical experience. I, for one, can't wait to become involved in clinical experience. I hope to volunteer at a children's hospital sometime in the next four years.

Graduates with physiology degrees have dozens of unique careers. The popular choice is often a medical or osteopathic doctor, which is the career that I intend to pursue. Other common professions include dentistry, nursing, pharmaceutical research, and podiatry.

As I mentioned before, I was drawn to this field by the example that my father set for me. Yet, a more significant inspiration came while I was working as a camp counselor. When campers were hurt or sick, I was always the counselor they asked for. So I suppose that a combined love for kids and genuine fascination of medical science piqued my interest in the field.

It's hard to say who is truly a leader in the medical world, because so many people and companies are working on a huge array of medical dilemmas. To me, the Phoenix Children's Hospital is a leader in the field because it is one of the best in the nation. It is especially noted for pulmonology, which is one of my interests.

I keep myself updated on the medical world through a few means. The first, and most significant, is through my dad. I can always count on him for news on the latest cardiovascular technology or technique. A more scholarly source would be medical journals. There are hundreds of journals that are publishing new practices. Some of the more well-known publications include The New England Journal of Medicine and The Journal of the American Medical Association.

The field is changing so rapidly in so many ways. I can't wait to make my impact on people's lives in a positive way.

Reflection:

Cynthia and Tom's blog posts were so interesting to me. Cynthia, similar to me, is interested in medicine; Tom, on the other hand, wishes to study business. What I enjoyed most about Cynthia's remarks was her recognition that many people in our English class plan to go into professions that will help people - which is exactly my plan. Tom's post helped me realize that the business world is applicable to all careers, which makes it incredibly invaluable.