Life Changing Event That Shaped

Life Changing Event That Shaped New Career

Personal Statement: Life Changing Event that shaped my new Career

There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no tonic so powerful as expectation of something better tomorrow -- Orison Swett Marden

Ideally, advances in medicine should provide concrete solutions as well as hope to those who are suffering. Medicine itself is a field that must be infused with hope, the hope that tomorrow will indeed be a better day for humanity, and the hope that cutting-edge research can make new advances in medicine an accessible reality to all healthcare consumers.

The field of biotechnology, and the entrepreneurial efforts required to sustain research in the field and provide care to the ailing requires a fusion of scientific and business acumen. I believe that my education and experience has given me both, and I seek to build upon this foundation.

In many ways, my desire to pursue a degree in Entrepreneurial Biotechnology is a natural outgrowth of my undergraduate concentration. I have been commended every semester on my university dean's list for the high quality of my performance in my Bioinformatics and Computational Biology major. I also have work experience refining the databases of several financial clients.

But my passion for biotechnology is also rooted in my personal experience. Several years ago, my best friend was diagnosed with stage-three ovarian cancer. Helping her navigate the current and confusing array of treatment options, I became acutely aware of both the triumphs and the limits of the current state of modern medicine. Medicine and cancer treatment specifically has come so far -- and yet not far enough. Survival rates have increased, and treatment is less cruel, painful, and invasive than it was many years ago. Still, getting the right kind of care, at the right time, is often a struggle for patients. My friend passed away from her illness, but her experience opened my eyes to the need to mesh the personal needs of the patient with more effective diagnostic and treatment solutions. I had always wanted to embark upon a financial career, but now I knew what type of entrepreneurship I wished to devote my life to -- biotechnology.

Early detection must become a vital component of the war on cancer. Improving screening as well as the quality of treatment, pharmaceuticals, and care are critical components of the emerging 21st century heath care paradigm. Finding a way to financially contain costs, dispense care in a comprehensive and ethical fashion, and creating an effective strategy of prevention will all become the focus of the business of medicine. By becoming part of this graduate program, I could build upon my current knowledge of the biological and technical dimensions of medicine, and inform these areas of interest with my experience in finance and business. Gaining a greater understanding of how to balance the ethical, humane side of medicine with the demands of a balanced bottom line is within my grasp, and utilizes all my fields of interest and expertise.