Much can be learned while mindlessly scrolling through Twitter. Memes, celebrity statuses, and political statements are just a few common purposes for those measly 280 characters; however, every once in a while as I scroll, I stumble across something truly incredible, perhaps one would say something worthy of the prized retweet. Sometimes these tweets are indeed memes, but other times, they are of a different variation. Such was the case last December when I stumbled upon an article by Time magazine highlighting a new kind of organ transplant: uterus transplants. Perplexed, I clicked on the link, read the article, and hit the retweet button. This retweet was different. It was not one that would vanish from my mind as it fell through the depths of my growing feed, rather, it was a tweet that would reshape my aspirations for my future.
I have been interested in medicine since middle school. I love to read medical blogs, binge the unrealistic yet entertaining “Grey’s Anatomy",” and watch videos of surgeries. However, it was not until that fateful tweet appeared on my feed that I felt called to a specialty. The human body and consequential art of healing have always intrigued me, but learning about how science can be used to assist the formation of life sparked a new fascination. The body is so intricate and cohesive, yet through medicine physicians are able to utilize donor uteri to allow women with nonfunctioning uteri to have children. To me, this procedure inspires awe. Despite my enthusiasm, when I showed the article to my friends at lunch, their responses mostly consisted of an apathetic “that’s cool” as they proceeded to eat their sandwiches. I even attempted to give an informative presentation on the subject but was turned down by my teacher who deemed the subject “inappropriate.” I didn’t (and still don’t) understand how such a revolutionary topic could be met with such indifference. Perhaps my interest is heightened by my experience with my parents having my younger siblings through IVF, maybe it is just my calling, or maybe I am just unique. Regardless, I want to spend my life studying and practicing medicine that will bring life into this world. Whether it be via uterus transplants, IVF, or a new kind of treatment, I want to contribute to the community of people dedicated to treating infertility.
As I move forward in my education, I aspire to study various disciplines that will shape my outlook as a physician. I want to enter medical school with a deep understanding of not simply biology and chemistry but of the societal factors that impact caregiving. This is why I want to study at Wash U. I am confident that through the Anthropology: Global Health & Environment major, various research opportunities, service opportunities, and the collaborative community at Wash U that I will be prepared to be a compassionate, knowledgeable, insightful, and innovative physician and researcher. I look forward to someday facilitating the kind of treatment worthy of the coveted retweet.
