Professional Summary
Personal Statement
I cared for a patient experiencing hemineglect and upper extremity weakness due to a stroke. He had trouble recognizing his motor deficits due to hemineglect, and any efforts to perform a physical exam or explain his neurologic deficits were rebutted with self-affirmations that he felt as strong as ever. I struggled to navigate this clinical interaction at first, unsure how to engage with someone whose perception of the world was altered by his neurologic injury. Under the guidance of my team, however, I learned to adapt my communication style and included techniques such as visual cues and repetition to help orient the patient to his new neurologic state. By the end of his hospitalization, the patient became agreeable to our medical recommendations, participated in physical therapy, and regained a small amount of neurologic function. I was left with a reminder of the complexity of the brain's influence on cognition and behavior — and the neurologist's role in helping patients regain their autonomy in the face of that adversity.
Why I Chose Cincinnati
As someone going into neurology, I wanted to build a strong foundation in medicine before transitioning into neurology-specific training. I had a great experience with the residents and hospitalists at UC when I completed my clinical rotations as a med student, so I knew I would be in a supportive environment to help me build a strong medicine foundation. I also love the yummy food around Cincinnati and have a personal goal of trying every Cincinnati chili spot around town.