I am a Nigerian, born and raised in Nigeria. I moved to Canada in 2005 and earned a B.Sc. Degree in Mathematics and another in Biology in 2008 from the University of Toronto. I earned the B.S. Degree in Health Science by the Saba University School of Medicine, Netherlands-Antilles, in 2009 and anticipate the award of the degree of Doctor of Medicine from the same university in January 2012. My goal is to become an effective and highly qualified physician specializing in Cardiology and to assist in reducing the barriers to healthcare access in the ‘third world.’

 I developed a deep interest in Biology from the first class that I attended in the subject at school and became more and more fascinated as my studies progressed. I became aware of the complexity of chemical reactions in the human body. From that, I acquired an interest in disease and its treatment and ultimately decided that I wanted to become a physician. I now regard this more as a vocation than a simple career choice. I am passionate about medicine and in extending the availability of healthcare, having witnessed the sad results where it is lacking or insufficiently accessible.

 I came to Medicine because of an interest in the sophisticated mechanisms of the body but have since come to a deep appreciation of the fact that humans are more than the sum of their physical tools. I have come to understand the need for a ‘holistic’ approach to patients and that each is unique and worthy of dignified and individual understanding. I have also begun to realize that a version of non-verbal communication is an essential element in judging a patient’s needs and feelings, and this is a skill that I look forward to extending.

 I have happily studied, worked, and socialized with people of many different cultural and social backgrounds. Because of my own knowledge and experiences, I consider myself to be culturally sensitive and aware, and I know how important this is in Medicine. I have received very appreciative letters of thanks from patients I have helped to treat, and I believe that this demonstrates my ability to interact positively with patients who sense a genuine and personal interest in them. Not least, I have a sense of humor and know the value of a smile.

 I have participated in various volunteer activities related to medicine in the Caribbean and in Canada. These included providing palliative care to geriatric patients and in assisting in their recreational activities, providing free ‘health screening’ and education about the risk of heart disease. I have also shadowed family physicians. I have thoroughly enjoyed these activities and, should time allow; I hope to undertake other volunteer activities during participation in the Residency program.

 I have served as an officer in various college societies. This has provided me with experience in practical teamwork, prioritization, organization, leadership, and delegation, as well as a great deal of fun. I was also selected to assist in teaching at my Medical School, which demonstrates the confidence of my teachers in my ability to communicate facts and concepts verbally and in writing, and this teaching experience has extended that ability.

I have recently completed internal rotations in medicine, surgery, OBGYN, and psychiatry. I was particularly inspired and fascinated by the work required of us in the medicine rotation, which called for students to provide solutions to initially very puzzling diagnostic problems and to apply a ‘whole-body approach to patient care.

I am a very diligent worker, as is demonstrated by the results and honors awarded to me throughout my academic career. I intend to apply myself fully and enthusiastically to the Residency program, and I am confident that I will be an asset to my class. I also feel that my background will enable me to provide valuable insights into the healthcare needs of those from less well-developed countries.

 I am aware that the residency program will attract many well-qualified applicants. However, I genuinely consider that I am an exceptional candidate. I have the personal qualities necessary to become a first-class physician, the academic ability not merely to succeed but to excel and, most importantly, a passionate interest in the ever-advancing and developing fields of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, spreading the benefits of those advances and developments as widely as possible throughout the world.