MED SCHOOL INTERVIEW PREP

INFO about midwestern from a current student

Midwestern Refreshing weather Nice clean community 1st year schedule Intense schedule Study in the morning - anki Meet with friends and go over lecture 8-5 studying Monday test Test a week - 1/2 test Easy transition from undergrad Recorded lectures but in person offered grading system - class rank at end of yr - Class rank is a measure of how a student's performance compares to other students in their class. middle of first yr - Chicago, Arizona , San Diego, ⁃ it's a lottery - you choose your preference - you know your rotation prior your 2nd yr ⁃ You can trade rotation sites with others 2nd yr - take step early May, June, In July - start rotation Anatomy in midwestern Cadavers on campus - 12 student per cadavers ⁃ dissections Extracurriculars - a lot of extracurricular - research workshops of all specialities Diversity racial inclusion club Home - give clinical medicine / education Osteopathic side Osteo med - OMM lab once a week another lab clinical based - lecture You can start treating people with techniques Useful in some instances OMM Principles - understanding them - makes easy to get the practice down - Muscle energy technique OMM May not be of use to a psychiatrist but it does make you a more well rounded doctor Midwestern - nation wide - well respected well received How research performed here Good opportunities lots of them But they don't fall in your lap Have to take the initiative to get involved Faculty - teach first institution - want their students to succeed - they look out for them Professors are available for you to talk to at anytime They love when their students get involved with what they are researching Strengths of Midwed Faculty is great and open Community is great - makes you feel at home Beautiful campus Why did you choose to come to midwestern ⁃ teach first Scholarship opportunities ? ⁃ some are offered ⁃ expensive tuition , private institution Consider What's it like where I'm going to live What kind of resources do they give to their students residency placement - match rates

What is the worst thing about being a doctor?

-Not being able to treat/save/cure every single patient(One of the main reasons I want to become a doctor is to serve the community and influence the lives of those in need around me.) -Along the same lines, not every treatment will affect patients in the same way. I see this everyday at the orthopedics clinic, two people present with the same type of arthritis, but the same treatment has completely different outcomes. I think this can be very frustrating when what should provide relief does not.

What characteristics would you want in a physician who was taking care of you or a family member of yours?

-Patient, thorough, able to clearly outline what is wrong, all available treatment options, etc. - Attentive - he should be actively listening and in-tune with what is going on

ADCOM skills & traits cont

My experiences have given me a very diverse, realistic, well rounded view of medicine. It has taught me how to be a dynamic person Reassurance Assuring that you are going to do everything in your power to figure out what's going on with patients, treat patients, and help them feel better.

Why AZCOM? 3

- AZCOM's DO program is unique in that it provides endless opportunities to improve the level of service we can provide for others (multifaceted approach) - H.O.M.E. = Health Outreach Through Medicine and Education (free medical care to underprivileged individuals residing in shelters in Phoenix, Arizona) - Vast medical faculty, specializing in subdivisions of basic and clinical sciences (provides thorough educational background so that they are better suited to serving diverse populations)- Hands-on curriculum (compare to McGill, early clinical simulation) - One Health Initiative (recognizes that the health of humans is connected to the health of animals and the environment) - I feel privileged to be able to apply to a school that represents and fights for the same values that have kept me grounded and in touch with my truest self

Why is D.O. different?

- DO's use a whole-person approach to prevent illness and injury in patients - They are partners with their patients - They utilize the perspective that there is more to a person being healthy than the absence of injury and illness - They aim to treat symptoms while also taking into account lifestyle and environmental factors - They are trained to promote the body's own systems to return to good health and how to stimulate the body's natural self-healing system - this plays into the fact that DO's focus heavily on the prevention of disease instead of treating. problems when they arise

What symbol/object describes you and why?

- I believe a lion symbolizes me the best. because it symbolises courage, nobility, royalty, strength, stateliness and valour, - BEARED THE FARNESS OF MY MOTHER WHEN she separated from me at the age of 10

What Skills & Attributes ADCOM is looking for

- Kindness - Compassion - Logical thought - Leadership - Ability to communicate - Maturity - Motivated - Trustworthy - Patient - Ability/willingness to make sacrifices Doctor persona - a level of altruism - put others needs above their own - Ingenuity - Curiosity - interested in new medical discoveries

What are your strengths?

- My strengths are adaptability, resilience, reliability, dependability, ability to learn from mistakes/failures and grow from them, I am able to make sacrifices and stay disciplined, hardworking, and diligent in accomplishing goals. -I feel my main strength is my focus and determination in successfully accomplishing the goals I have set out for myself. - For example, one of the personal goals i have set for myself and also something i feel is one of my greatest accomplishments was completing my undergraduate while maintaining a balance between my professional and personal life. It was something that was definitely challenging and took a lot of discipline, and i was met with a variety of challenges. For example, a year after my father passed away in 2016 during my senior year of highschool, I was diagnosed with glaucoma then type 1 diabetes. - However, despite these challenges, by focus and persistence and maintaining a positive attitude i was able to complete my degree, participate in research work, and most importantly restore my health conditions back to normal.

What do you think of the new healthcare plan?

- The U.S. health care system is not a universally accessible system - it is a publicly and privately-funded patchwork of fragmented systems and programs. - Insured Americans are covered by both public and private health insurance, with a majority covered by private insurance plans through their employers. - Preventable Medical Errors. - Poor Amenable Mortality Rates. - Lack of Transparency. - Difficulty Finding a Good Doctor. - High Costs of Care. - A Lack of Insurance Coverage. - The Nursing and Physician Shortage. - A different perspective on solving the shortage crisis.

What do you think about euthanasia?

- This is a tough issue for many people. Personally I don't support euthanasia. I guess it's because I've been the recipient of amazing compassion after my initial battles with late onset chronic illnesses and have been able to give compassion through my clinical work and community service. These experiences have shown me that each one of us is a person who wants to live a long and meaningful life. I believe that as a physician, it is our duty to help others become healthy, and at the very least do no harm, including doctor assisted suicide. It wouldn't feel right to me to take a life. However, as a firm believer in autonomy, I will stop treatment if the patient wants me to, as long as I've informed them of the costs and benefits to making that decision, and if I inform them of alternative courses of action to take.

Why do we love OMT? (Osteopathic manipulative therapy)

- Useful and effective - no side effects - treats not only skeletal muscular functions but other areas/aspects of the body OMM brings another dimension to a physician's ability to provide care - its another form of treatment that other professionals dont have

If there was one seat left in the upcoming class and I had to choose between you and another applicant, why should I choose you?

- ability to make sacrifices - putting all my heart into reaching my goals and realizing my dream - hard-work and perseverance

Why Primary Care?

- always in demand - help people make decisions to take control of their life of health - prevent negative health outcomes - predictable schedules Provides you with variety, diversified care - children - adults - elderly It brings new challenges making work exciting Build long term relationships with patients, you get to watch families grow - you get kept busy

What is the difference between osteopathic, allopathic, and palliative care?

-Allopathic: alleviate the symptoms of disease by attacking/affecting the natural defense of body / Treatment with medications, surgery, radiation, other therapy -Palliative: specialized care for people living with serious illnesses / focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of the illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family. -Osteopathic: uses a holistic approach to medicine, the physicians are partners with the patient, they treat symptoms while also accounting for the person's lifestyle. Also focus on the body's natural ability to heal itself.

Why Arizona?

-Firstly, I wanted to attend a school in a diverse area of the country where I can get a great education while also serving/interacting with a diverse patient population -- I see this as being essential in my training to be able to treat all patients- I love the outdoors and it is a great way for me to manage stress -- Arizona has countless options to do such things. Hiking camelback is on my bucket list.

What kind of doctor do you want to be and why?

-I want to be a doctor who is known for his sincerity, patience, and dedication. I want patients to leave visits with me feeling well-informed and confident about the steps they have to take for their issues in the future. I want them to leave with a sense of security, having answers instead of even more questions. I also want to be someone that the patient feels comfortable with to open up to and connect with, and someone that they feel truly cares for and listens to them. As a patient myself, there is nothing more frustrating than feeling like the physician is just going through the motions and leaving with more questions than you initially had. -These are elements that stem from my original desire to become a doctor to bring peace of mind and a sense of security to those in need. I have worked many different physicians and seen a broad range of what patient care looks like. I think that it can be easy for someone's passion for medicine to eventually become a routine, thus I want to be someone who never loses sight of that initial reason for why I became a doctor. I never want to lose sight of the patient at hand.

Why Medicine?

-My pursuit of medicine is driven by a passion to provide service to others through medicine for the rest of my life. I have the determination and ambition to excel as a doctor. -As a physician, I would also love to go above and beyond my job to aid in relief efforts, serve in international humanitarian programs such as Doctors Without Borders, and most importantly serve the community in which I live. --- you could elaborate and talk about recent events in Pakistan Note: (Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) cares for people affected by conflict, disease outbreaks, natural and human-made disasters, and exclusion from health care in more than 70 countries.)

How would you handle a non-compliant patient?

-Never give up hope -Never lose sight of why I became a physician - to stand by my patients and do my best to provide them with care and relief. -I would also understand that much of their anger, frustration, or non-compliance may stem from the issues medically that they are having. I need to approach their treatment in a holistic manner and account for all physiological, mental, emotional, etc. factors .--------------------------------------------- Continue to have faith in them → don't give up hope that they will never change or will never follow directions. I would continue to inform them of the risks of not being compliant and the benefits of following the treatment. Encourage encourage encourage.

What is your view on Abortion?

-SIDE 1: Life begins at conception and we as humans have an obligation to protect that life. Science can't exactly tell us at what time a child becomes a viable womb Easier availability could cause people to be less careful with readily available contraceptives. -SIDE 2: A woman has the right to control her body Should be able to be performed when there is a threat to the health of the mother, even pregnancy for healthy mothers is a risk Continuing an unwanted pregnancy, for whatever reason, can have a negative effect on that woman and may also have adverse effects on that child in the future. You shouldn't subject a child to a life with an unprepared or unwilling mother. Having a child is not something someone can embark on without being fully committed to. May be performed in cases where the woman is a victim of a rape This falls under patient autonomy Outlawing or making legal abortions more difficult to obtain won't completely stop people from getting them → they may have to get these abortions in other manners that are far more risky Solutions? - Sex education can be a way to truly combat this issue. In America, sex and especially the topic of teenage sexuality is a very stigmatized issue. Kids are taught in school that sex is something to be controlled, that they are irresponsible, and should suppress these natural feelings and emotions they have. Instead of being an open issue and a part of everyday life, it becomes a touchy topic that nobody wants to talk about or provide the education to practice safe sex.

Four Tenets of Osteopathic Medicine

1. The body is a unit, the body is in unity through mind, body and spirit. 2. Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated. 3. The body is capable of self-healing and self-regulation. 4. Rational treatment is based upon an understanding of the basic principles of body unity, self-regulation, and the interrelationship of structure and function.

Who would you invite to dinner and why?

1. Who would you invite to dinner and why? Wow, that's a tough one. I'd have to say I'd invite Mother Teresa, because she possessed an amazing combination of values that are important to me. She was so hard-working and compassionate. I heard she frequently stayed up for more than 30 hours at a time caring for homeless people in her facilities. I just think it would be amazing to sit down and talk with her about what motivated her to demonstrate such compassion and how she could be so bold and confident as she went into foreign, impoverished cities to set up care facilities. - Mother Teresa was the founder of the Order of the Missionaries of Charity, a Roman Catholic congregation of women dedicated to helping the poor. Considered one of the 20th Century's greatest humanitarians - Mother Teresa was born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in Skopje*, Macedonia, on August 26**, 1910. Her family was of Albanian descent. At the age of twelve, she felt strongly the call of God. She knew she had to be a missionary to spread the love of Christ.

What do you anticipate will be the most difficult aspect of medical school?

. Time management and work load -- there is so much information to digest in such a brief period that you need to be able to stay on task and not stress yourself out in the long run.- This is where my time preparing for the MCAT will pay off because I had to manage my work load every single day between my job, studying , post-graduate courses, and personal time .

What are three qualities a doctor should have?

1 -*ADAPTABLE* - They should work very well within any setting that is thrown at them. 2 - *PATIENT*- a doctor has to be able to maintain their composure regardless of what goes wrong, not all patients will be bubbly and happy, understand what you are saying, or follow the treatment regimen. You won't get along with every person you work with. There will always be stress. But, amidst all of this, the physician should be able to remain calm and move forward. 3 - *HUMILITY* - a doctor should be confident in their own abilities, but not overconfident to the point where they are unwilling to ask for help or seek out second opinions. I want to be getting the best treatment and to do so, collaboration between medical professionals is essential due to the complexity of the field.- Compassion - sympathy and concern for the misfortune of others → a doctor has to be able to understand what their patients are going through and that pain should mean something to them. Drive/work ethic - a doctor has to be passionate about medicine and have a motivation to always be learning and improving in their own skills. I want a physician that is in-tune with medicine and understands the changing elements of the field, and I also want them to be excited to go to work and treat patients.

Why medicine? Cont.

1. Helping others in an incredibly significant way - Doctors have the incredible opportunity to restore people's lives to normalcy, even save some from death which is extremely rewarding 2. Medicine is fascinating - In depth knowledge of human body 3. Trust and Honor - Doctors are trusted w sensitive information. Patient share their deepest concerns with their doctors in hope of being healed. Being trusted to this extent is a great honor. 4. Influence and respect - Doctors in a position of power They are the leaders in healthcare 5. Never a dull moment - Get to interact with different kinds of people with various ailments. Medicine offers a variety of experiences which makes the profession exciting. 6. Other opportunities as a doctor - Clinical researcher, journalism, consulting, business ventures, hospital administration

Tell me a joke

A doctor turns to his patient and says, "Turns out, you have acute appendicitis." - The patient blushed and replied, "Compared to who?"

Describe a difficult work situation / project and how you overcame it.

A recent and transformative experience in December 2021 again put my personal qualities to the test. A formidable tornado ravaged Mayfield, Kentucky, my home. The profound loss of life and the devastation of obliterated homes and buildings left many in Mayfield shocked and forever changed. At home with my relatives, we had no running water or electricity, but we were otherwise spared. The powerful tornado leveled the clinic where I worked. I had to adapt to my new circumstances and focus on helping my fellow citizens any way I could. While some waited to hear about missing loved ones, I drove to other cities to collect food and water and worked on the task force to reestablish the family practice clinic, salvaging items we could, and transferring them to a vacant space offered by the local hospital. Within a week, we were again treating patients, but we were now dealing with intense suffering due to overwhelming loss, and many patients living in a state of privation. However, it was gratifying to be there, offering continued care, support, a listening ear, and all that I always wanted when I felt that sort of loss. While we are still recovering in Mayfield, this experience taught me how important it is to be resilient, adaptable, and positive, because one cannot be anesthetized by the vicissitudes of life.

Strengths

Ability to learn from mistakes and learn from them - W/o mistakes, we lose countless opportunities to gain valuable knowledge and learn lessons --- In the healthcare field - mistakes are bound to happen. If we dont learn - we cant improve our quality of care - and we want to avoid repeating a potentially harmful error Reliable/dependability/trustworthy - Principle of reliability - help reduce defects in care or care processes. Increases the consistency with which appropriate care is delivered, improving patient outcomes. Trustworthy In the medical profession - INTERGRITY is fundamental Integrity breeds trust and patients cannot receive adequate care w/o trust in their physician Adaptability - Patient cultural values. Necessary to have awareness and skills to assess verbal/nonverbal cues and adapt individual care to maximize patient comfort and minimize misunderstanding Empathetic/compassionate Important because it helps us understand how others are feeling so we can respond appropriately to the situation. - BUILDs patients trust, calms anxiety, and improves health outcomes

What do you think is the biggest problem facing medicine today

Access to care, cost of care, and how much care do we consume. we have kind of a strange dichotomy in the United States. We've got the best technology and medical science, yet when you look at how we rank among the developed nations in regard to health status, we're 42nd. We spend more money than anybody else. We've got better stuff than anybody else but we're not providing better

Tell me about your work as a medical assistant

As a certified nursing assistant employed at Williams Medical Practice, my duties varied. From checking in patients and taking their vitals to performing diagnostic tests like EKGs and viral screenings, my fellow nursing aides and I were the patients' focal point of interaction for most of their time at the family medical clinic. Working in this environment forced me out of my comfort zone, enabling me to interact with people from all social strata and backgrounds. Alongside general treatments, such as administering miscellaneous injections and ear irrigations, I handled many administrative duties, namely scheduling, answering the phone, and filing forms for physicals and health screenings.

Why D.O?

As a physician, one of my biggest goals is to have the ability to serve the widest patient population possible, and to better the lives of diverse groups. To do this, however, I feel that it is just as necessary to receive a type of training that gives me the best opportunity to do so. In my opinion, the osteopathic medical field does this extremely well because of its basis in family medicine. Not only does this give you the background and knowledge to treat some of the most pertinent and chronic conditions that affect patients, but it gives you a wide breadth of knowledge for many different fields instead of simply being an expert in one aspect of medicine. In addition, I believe that the inclusion of the manipulative medicine aspect in the D.O. curriculum further adds to this. To me, it adds a new tool that I can use to provide patients with relief and makes me a more versatile physician while also allowing me to be hands-on as a physician. As a physician, I want to care for patients beyond just identifying their physiological problems A big driving force for me in medicine is to maintain the humanity of the patient within the care that I provide. This is something that was stressed to me within my time as a Certified Nursing Assistant trainee because the main focus of this type of caregiving is providing comfort and dignity to the patients. When I envisage myself as a physician, I recognize that my experiences, while challenging, have built my character and molded me to be empathetic, caring, perseverant, hardworking, socially adept, and flexible; all traits that I believe are necessary to be a great doctor. I believe that treating the whole patient, holistically, not just the ailment or disease, always creates more positive outcomes. With holistic care I can work with patients more closely, discuss preventative measures, and be able to advise on diet, physical fitness, and mental health. Therefore, I am enthusiastic about being accepted into a program offering a Doctor of Osteopathy because my background and experience aligns most with this whole-body approach to medicine.

Tell me about a conflict you had and how you resolved it.

Being an employee at The Halal Guys taught me much about myself; chiefly, I learned that I would go to great lengths to fulfill my perceived ethical responsibility to both myself and to my peers. Because I was the most persistent employee who stayed during labor shortages, where our team was consistently short-handed, I had to take on many responsibilities and duties. Circumstances like these tested my strength of will, but I pushed forward even amid absurd situations. An example of this is, once, in the course of a night shift, when my supervisor quit after a conflict with the store manager, and I was the only one left after the ensuing walk-out. I had to hold down the fort overnight until seven AM, enduring the long hours, even when I had a proper excuse to close the store. I resolved this conflict by awaiting instructions from my manager and considering the store as my responsibility until she arrived, because it would've been against my moral code to abandon it; even after my coworkers pressured me into leaving with them.

If I were the chair of the local Chamber of Commerce and you were a new doctor in town, why should I recommend you to my associates?

Bright and hardworking - careful and creative individual with an eye for detail and a devoted to my profession - ability to handle stressful situations and get patients to relax when others could not - professional approach helps increase the hospital success rate Exceptional sense of responsibility - my abilities allow to work with patient of all ages and my effectiveness knows no age bracket - feedback received by other doctors from the patients I treated was positive and glowing

What do you think health care will be like in 20 years?

By 2040, health care as we know it today will no longer exist. There will be a fundamental shift from "health care" to "health." And while disease will never be completely eliminated, through science, data, and advanced technology, we will be able to identify it earlier, intervene proactively, and better understand its progression to help patients more effectively and actively sustain their well-being. The future will be focused on wellness and managed by companies that assume new roles to drive value in the transformed health ecosystem.

Students seeking admissions to AZCOM

Demonstrate understanding of and sincere interest in osteopathic medicine. Demonstrate service orientation through community service or extracurricular activities. Demonstrate motivation for and commitment to health care as demonstrated by previous work, volunteer work, or other life experiences. Demonstrate oral and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients and colleagues.

What is your experience to OMM and what is it?

Exposure: Hassan in his 2nd year, trained from Midwestern, performed OMT muscle energy for my acute neck muscle strain. I felt an immediate relief and since I've been intrigued with OMM What is it? Set of hands on technique used by osteopathic physcians to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness or injury - How it works - Stretching and placing gentle pressure of resistance on different parts of the body - Involves moving a patient's joints or muscles -- used to ease pain and increase overall mobility - all while being NON-INVASIVE "This is a set of hands-on techniques used by osteopathic physicians to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness or injury. Generally involves moving a patient's joints or muscles to do so. Students receive extra training on the body's musculoskeletal and nervous systems, thereby teaching them how each of the body systems are connected to one another. This brings another dimension to a physician's ability to provide care, providing another form of treatment that other professionals don't have - can replace drugs or surgery which is always beneficial."

Explaining MCAT Score

For the MCAT, based on my Full Lengths, I was projected to score higher. Receiving my actual score at 1st was disheartening because the amount of time and devotion I spent for preparation I think what may have contributed to my subpar score was pushing myself with unnecessary extra studying and taking multiple practice tests on exam week. Additionally, the day before the test I studied when I should've rested and enjoy myself. On exam day, I knew I made the mistake of burning myself because of the mental cloudiness that affected my ability to critically think and remain focused.. From my experience with the MCAT, I discovered that mental exhaustion is not something that always manifests right away. I understand the importance of caring for your brain like the rest of the body now. I learned I have limitations and that adequate rest is necessary to perform optimally on exams this big. I also learned to have better trust in my hard work. I practiced this realization more recently when I trained for a month for my 1st 5K charity run ever. By forming a balanced system and taking precautionary steps for both my physical and mental health, I was able to meet my time goal.

Why do you believe AZCOM would provide you with the type of osteopathic medical education you are seeking?

I am seeking an osteopathic school which not only provides a rigorous curriculum to prepare for the USMLE but also offers interactive group learning, community service opportunities, and support for students. I believe I can find all these and more at the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (AZCOM) following in the footsteps of my brother Hassan Abbas, an AZCOM graduate who not only excelled in his STEP exams but was matched to an ideal residency program for his career. This establishment will allow me to get closer to becoming a psychiatrist. As someone who has dealt with depression and lived with a family member with Bipolar Disorder, I am ambitious about spreading awareness for mental health and doctoring patients with a holistic approach in both my community and impoverished areas. I am confident that my potential as an osteopathic doctor will be fully realized attending AZCOM; I have been interested in the possibilities of holistic care and recognize that the qualities of treating humans in mind, body, and spirit would further my goal of mental health awareness and outreach. Alongside the mental health benefits of holistic care, I am seeking to be skilled with osteopathic manipulative medicine, or OMM, and use it in place of medication or surgery for patients who may be averse to them. Not only will I be taught these specialized skills at AZCOM, but building a strong foundation in medicine is vital for me to become a well-versed physician.

If you were placed in charge of all health care policy in the country, what would you change?

I believe that health insurance should cost less and work better for those who already have it, and should be much easier to obtain for those who don't. I would redirect market forces to encourage healthy lifestyles. For example, I would change incentives to make fast food more expensive and healthy foods less expensive. This may involve taxing unhealthy grocery items and restaurant/fast food meals while at the same time subsidizing the production and sale of healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, healthy fats/oils, lean meats and whole grains. I would also outlaw tobacco products and their use. I would alter policies to discourage excess alcohol consumption. I would set up incentives and disincentives so that people begin taking responsibility for their own health and well being by maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle. I believe in taxing those who refuse to take personal responsibility for their own health.

Is there anything I didn't ask you that you wanted me to ask?

I didn't get a chance to tell you about my research experience, which I've really enjoyed. I worked as an RA for child psychology research, The Arizona Twin project, as an undergrad. The experience was amazing. I couldn't believe it but I found that I was learning more from the twins than I was interviewing them. I enjoyed sharing my knowledge and those "aha" moments. I improved my own understanding on our research study, the influence of epigenetics. It also taught me communication skills and patience. These two things I believe are important for all doctors to possess and I feel much more adept and comfortable with these skills after my work as a RA.

Why AZCOM?

I know AZCOM (mid western) is regarded as one of the most prestigious DOs schools recognized in the nation. It prepares its students in becoming well versed medical professionals. I've seen the result of what this school does from how great my brother and his friends all performed here, these aspiring physicians who matched to their desired residency. What draws me to AZCOM is its excellence in curriculum and the high 1st time pass rates for students taking the COMLEX. What particularly sparks my interest for midwestern is the fact that the faculty is student centered and devoted to their student's success. I also have heard AZCOM offers amazing rotations providing an enhanced practical learning experience.

Why AZCOM? 2

I love how the AZCOM faculty and curriculum are student-focused and strives to educate their students to thrive as osteopathic physicians that can serve all communities. I also like how AZCOM emphasizes that learning is a lifelong process, something I truly believe in and think is vital for a physician as medicine is always evolving. Midwestern here has an amazing campus and amazing facilities, and i really enjoy all of the study spaces available, especially the 24-hour study room in the barrel student center; as well as the Clinical skills and simulation center. Also, the early clinical contact experiences and 88 weeks of direct patient care is very important to me and my medical education, as being a physician is about patient encounters and being a DO is about making sure your patient is healthy in all aspects. These are things you cannot just teach in a classroom. I believe the more patient engagement the better it'll be for my education. Also, your boards scores are really impressive (around the mid to high 90's%) which to me shows how successful the school is. I also really like the inter professional mindset of Midwestern University and the One Health Initiative looks really interesting. I don't know a lot about The One Health Initiative, but it looks really interesting and like something I can get in to.

What if you do not get into medical school?

I think the 1st thing would be to find out what the admissions committee thought were the weakness in my applications. I'd then reapply. I'd work on improving my MCAT score and enroll in some graduate science classes to further demonstrate my cognitive ability. Finally, I'd continue working as a MA to garner more clinical experience and shadow a DO physician to observe and learn new skills and ways to work.

ATP

I took part in a study that explored the early biological, environmental, and protective risk factors that contributed to the overall health of twins. This involved interviewing parents and twins to assess interpersonal interaction and administering memory tasks, behavioral and cognitive assessments to each twin. These tasks demanded reliability from those volunteering due to the fickle nature of children and attendance issues amongst research assistants. In studies such as these, communication skills are indispensable; I worked alongside fellow assistants in a division of tasks, coordinating with the RA to track other teams' progress and alerting the research group when issues arose.

If you could sum up your application in a short pitch, what would you say?

I would say that I am someone that is a deeply motivated and resilient person who has tried to explore as many outlets as possible in the world of medicine through research/employment/undergraduate studies. That I am a very caring individual who wants to become a doctor to serve those most in need in his community and wants to be someone who brings the humanism back into patient care.

***What should I be sure to tell the admissions committee?

I would want the admissions committee to know that I am someone who is prepared and unafraid to take on the challenges that lie ahead within medical school and the years beyond that. I am not afraid to fail and believe that with my resiliency, work ethic, teamwork abilities and attention to detail, I will be able to handle the stress and work load while never losing sight of why I decided the embark on this endeavor of becoming a doctor in the first place: providing a sense of security and peace of mind to the lives of my fellow community members in need through medicine.--------------------------------------------------------------That I am someone who not only has a deep passion for medicine, but also a clear desire to treat patients in a sincere and wholesome manner. I am someone who patients are going to feel comfortable with, listened to, and prepared for whatever comes in their way.

Why do you want to be a doctor?

In a nut shell, I think being a physician is the best fit for my personality and my skill set. I love to be around people and help them feel better. Compassion seems to come naturally for me. I find my passion for pursuing medicine as a career grow stronger and stronger when I interact with patients and treat them as an MA. With every patient encounter, i demonstrate empathy, attentiveness,, and thoroughness. I do my best to fully address their concerns/needs, ensuring that their care with me is comfortable, safe, and patient centered. Doing this is important to me because knowing how it can be hard for some patients to open up about their health complications, and how sometimes their needs aren't being met, I want my patients to feel relieved, happy, and satisfied about their visits. I also think I have the cognitive ability to thrive in the field of medicine. I love the mental challenges of biological sciences. I believe my GPA and recent academic work bears this out.

I noticed that you have a degree in Psychology Why did you choose the course of study?

It's food for my brain. I love understanding humans - behaviors, perspectives, habits, thinking, actions, characters, personalities, etc. It's all extremely interesting to me. I also see it as dark magic It gives you super powers. You can read others. You know their next move before anyone else. You start understanding the world better. You understand why people do things. The understanding of others can be beneficial in work and home. It gives you a great opportunity to help people. When you truly understand someones problem it's easy to help them. It has come handy when I wanted help my friends and emotionally support patients at the clinic.

Why osteopathic medicine?

MD VS DO - How both MD schools and DO schools would allow me to become a physician, but that DO schools provide additional training in OMM and a holistic emphasis. And doctors who gain a broader clinical skillset have more tools to ensure their patient's wellbeing - emphasis on preventive care - a patient-centered, holistic approach to care - patient empowerment to strive toward the body's natural, optimal state of structure and function Do's are people taking care of people WITH MEDICAL CONDITIONS The basis of holistic care where physicians treat patients in mind,, body, spirit aligns with my personal goals of preventing as much suffering in the world where I can. Not only is holistic care useful for dealing with longterm and chornic conditions, but also helpful for patients who may be averse to modern medications or surgeries.. Using OMM may save them from discomfort

Why will you be a good doctor?

My undergraduate and post graduate academic work has convinced me that I am cognitively able to succeed as a physician and meet the serious mental challenges required in this field. Working at a family clinic has led me to further discover that I have a huge heart for people and that it bothers me when they are hurting emotionally, physically, or otherwise. I believe the facets of an excellent physician is one who is quick on their feet and is able to critically think and apply their knowledge, upholds confidence and composure all while being empathetic. I see these traits in myself practiced everyday at work. For example, (talk about pt who checked in because of reoccurring panic attacks after his cessation of smoking tobacco and his hesitancy in coming to the clinic because of his former. Macho mentality and how you praised him for being courageous with coming to the clinic for the sake of himself and his family One of my responsibilities as an MA is being tasked with informing patients about their lab results. Before I call my patients, I do my research on the significance of the lab ordered and what the patient's results mean to answer questions they may have and to prevent myself from spewing medical jargon. I put great importance on giving the patient a comprehensive understanding of what the provider's plan of action or recommendation is because I know it can be difficult for some patients to hear about a result that is out of their normal range. I take my time and listen extra to their frustrations, console and encourage them.

Medical Ethics

Patient's have the last say. Requires that the patient have AUTONOMY of thought, intention, and action when making decisions regarding health care procedures. Therefore, the decision-making process must be free of coercion or coaxing. In order for a patient to make a fully informed decision, she/he must understand all risks and benefits of the procedure and the likelihood of success. Because ARTs are highly technical and may involve high emotions, it is difficult to expect patients to be operating under fully-informed consent. **You have to make sure that the patient is well-informed, understands the pros and cons of the treatment, and is in the right mental state to make a decision.**

Tell us about the physician's role in patient care.

Physicians are a member of the care team that provide the patient with answers and treatments for their problem. Although they get most of the credit, it is important to me to remember that they couldn't do it on their own without the nurses, MAs, etc. -But, as one of the team members that has received extensive medical training, they have a leadership role that they must take. They must be attentive and in-tune with every patient during the treatment process. -***They have to be able to diagnose and treat diseases that a patient may have, but they also have to be able to interact and treat them in a much more holistic manner. By this, I mean that they have to be an advocate and educator for the patient, ensuring that they can make informed decisions about their health and overall lifestyle.

Why psychiatry?

Psychiatrists have prescribing power to treat serious mental illnesses with both psychotherapy and oral drugs or injections. Psychiatrists have a deeper understanding of how the body and brain influence mental health - best fits my personality and skill set Psychiatrists keep using their patience and endurance to guide reluctant patients through their feelings. Psychiatrists must be skilled communicators capable of talking issues out with diverse patients. Listening skills are included to truly hear patients' stories and concerns. Writing skills ensure psychiatrists keep detailed records of each patient session. Psychiatrists need observational skills to watch patients' body language and read between the lines.

What would you do if a patient refused a blood transfusion due to their beliefs?

This is a very tricky situation because my main goal as a physician is to provide relief and safety to my patients and not providing the patient with a life-saving blood transfusion completely goes against that. However, in this case I need to remember the role of patient autonomy in medicine. Ultimately, the patient has the final say on what treatments they receive and as a physician I have to honor that. Thus, in this situation, I will make sure I provide them with as much information I can about the reasons why a transfusion is necessary and the consequences of if they do not choose to have it performed. In this way, I can ensure that they can make an informed decision and understand the gravity of the choice they are making. I also need to evaluate to make sure they do not have clouded judgment in this situation.

Tell me about an extracurricular you participated in

Throughout undergraduate, I involved myself in a religious club, Students for Humanity Inspired by the Ahlulbayt, to promote the understanding and teachings of the Quran and the Prophet, the messenger of God who revealed the holy book. Our club aimed to promote the moral and ethical guidelines prescribed by the Prophet that can apply to all of humanity. As the club's vice president, I helped facilitate club meetings, acted as record-keeper, offered suggestions for activities, and fulfilled the president's duties in their absence. Our club hosted events such as street level charity, blood and clothing drives, weekly Quranic recitations, and raising awareness of common misconceptions of Islam.

Tell me more about your research experience

Volunteering to be a part of the Arizona Twin Project offered me a chance to participate in a research study for credits while complementing my resume. This opportunity spoke to me, as it was a study in child psychology, a field I was already interested in. After being briefed on the study's method, I was situated to interview the parents and children. There, I developed a fascination with twins and their potential for furthering research, particularly the effect of DNA and shared genes on behavior compared to influence from the environment. This led me to the concept of epigenetics, or how the environment alters how genes throughout all cells of the body react. I found a possible example of this in a case of twins, one of whom was much more intelligent and quicker witted compared to their counterpart. Theoretically, their behavior should match each other, yet in practicality there was a noticeable difference, which could be explained by a change in epigenetics associated with cognitive processing. Volunteering for this study became a passion of mine, and in return, my productivity was high; being a more experienced assistant, my supervisor showed reliance on me by placing me in a position to train students joining the research study, which cultivated my coaching and leadership skills.

Tell me about yourself

Well, 1st and foremost, it is a pleasure to be here today speaking with (each of) you. As far as who I am, my name is Musa Raza. I'm 23 years old. I was born in Michigan but consider myself a native to Arizona, having lived there for 13 years. I attended ASU and graduated with a Bachelors degree in Psychology in Dec 2020. After graduating, I moved to a sweet little rural area called Mayfield which is in Western KY. To get to know me better, I view myself as an open person, a challenge seeker, and one loaded with life experiences. I really value these experiences because they've left me well-rounded, playing a large role in making who I am. I love to study and work hard. It just comes naturally. I'm able to keep things in perspective and balanced by hiking/jogging, reading, meditating, and bicycling with some hoop shooting thrown in peridocially. Family and social time are very important to me. They're such a stabilizing force in my life. If they follow up with how did you move there You might wonder how did I get myself all the way over there and why. To answer that, I made a plan to move there upon hearing how my uncle, the town's peditrician, was struggling with managing his busy work life and taking care of his ill and bed ridden mother. I saw this as opporutnity to get closer to my uncle, assist him with house duties, care for my grandmother, and acquire health care experience. For over year now I'm working at a family clinic as a medical assistant I also took this time period to prepare for the MCAT and complete remaining pre med pre-req such as physics 1 & 2 and biochemistry, earning myself A's in all.

Why should AZCOM accept you into this year's class?

What sets me apart from most students is my mindset. I believe I would be a great fit as a student at AZCOM because of my unwavering tenacity and determination to become an osteopathic physician. I do not shy away from challenges, rather I invite them. Since high school, my academic history has comprised honor and upper division classes, demanding dedication and a devotion to learning. Taking challenging courses while managing an active lifestyle has allowed me to push the boundaries of my physical and cognitive capacities. It is this determination that grounds me and facilitates my prevail through all adversities; it allows me to capitalize on every hardship as a learning experience and an area for self-improvement. This breadth of experience prepares me to succeed as a versatile physician. I feel more than prepared to showcase my determination and bring it to the next level throughout my metamorphosis into a physician. The tenacity I'll deliver to AZCOM will set me apart from my peers because I understand the need for proficiency when managing patients from first-hand experience. As a nursing assistant with over 1000 hours of clinical experience, I'm aware of the high-stakes decisions a provider makes and the imperative skills they must master for their patient's wellbeing. I have high hopes for my potential should I attend AZCOM and am confident I will achieve my wish to develop into a technically skilled and personable professional.

Describe a time in your life when you had a leadership role and what you learned from the experience.

When I attended ASU and was vice president of my religious club, Students for Humanity Inspired by the Ahlulbayt, there was a period when our president was mostly absent and our group started to fall apart. The activeness of this club meant a lot to me so I stepped up and filled in the shoes of the president and worked hard to bring our members together to keep events going . I did this first by using effective communication. Reminding them of our mission. Encouraging strategic thinking, innovation, and action. From this experience, I learned to be a leader, one must be flexible, adaptable, self aware, goal oriented, present, decisive, inspirational, persuasive, authentic, bringing the best out in others

Tell me about an clinical experience

Working at Williams Medical Practice was a significant experience for me because it was where I first gained exposure to the reality of working in a health center. This was an important step for me to take since this was where I tempered my dream of becoming a physician; experiencing the stressful fast-paced reality of being a healthcare worker allowed an opportunity for me to firm my resolve knowing the true difficulty of working in the medical field. Not only was my willpower tested, but adjusting to the environment meant that I gained the ability to make snap judgements based on intuition. An example of this is found in an encounter I had with a patient, John Doe, who was exhibiting symptoms associated with anemia. Immediately checking his oxygen saturation, I realized it was well below the safe range. Coordinating with his doctor, we arranged swift transportation for Doe to the ER. Even having the theoretical knowledge of the symptoms of anemia wouldn't have been enough for me to rapidly and confidently both identify and aid him before his condition worsened; having had practice in an authentic environment is what granted me that confidence. I'm sure that my overall experience working at the clinic not only benefited me, but it benefited society as a whole, as patients like John Doe can attest to.

What would you do if you couldn't be a doctor

Wow. I'd be pretty sad to not be able to practice medicine because I think its the best profession for my talents and personality. However if I couldn't be a doctor, I'd likely go into real estate. I love the mental challenge of crunching numbers and evaluating potential projects. This profession would satisfy my analytic nature. Unfortunately, it would not meet my needs for compassion and meaningful human contact. For that I'd have to get involved in some type of community service project, maybe a mentorship or homeless outreach

How do others describe you?

people's person, funny, caring, dependable/trustworthy and supportive

What are your weaknesses?

saying no to things or opportunities, "I tend to become overloaded and overworked because I have trouble saying no to people when they ask me to take on new tasks and responsibilities. I'm learning how to prioritize what's important to me versus others and what my limits really are." Harsh Self Criticism "My inner critic can be debilitating at times. I take pride in producing good work, but I feel like I struggle feeling satisfied with it, which has led to burnout in the past. However, I've started to push back against this inner voice by taking care of myself before and after work. I'm also learning to recognize when my inner critic is right and when I need to dismiss it." Indecisiveness "Sometimes I struggle with ambiguity and making decisions when directions aren't clear. I come from a work environment that always gave clear and direct instructions. I had such a strong team and leadership that I haven't had much practice making decisions in the heat of the moment. I'm working on this by leaning more into my experience and practicing listening to my gut." Timidity "Oftentimes, I can be timid when providing constructive feedback to coworkers or managers, out of fear of hurting someone's feelings. However, in my last role, my coworker asked me to edit some of his pieces and provide feedback for areas of improvement. Through my experience with him, I realized feedback can be both helpful and kind when delivered the right way. Since then, I've become better at offering feedback, and I've realized that I can use empathy to provide thoughtful, productive feedback." "I don't like to work with uncertainty." "In my last position, I found that my supervisor gave very specific instructions about my responsibilities. Because I became familiar with having strong direction, I tend to be unsure when approaching an ambiguous task or goal. My goal is to not only feel comfortable, but also to be successful working with uncertainty. To do this, I have created a personal framework for times when I feel overwhelmed or confused by an ambiguous task that includes conducting structured research and seeking advice from subject matter experts. Doing so has helped me thrive when working on ambiguous tasks or when working toward less specific or defined goals."

Do you have questions for us?

· Why did YOU decide to come to [AZCOM] as a faculty member?" "Can you give an example of how the medical school has created a change based on student feedback?" Lastly, I wanted to ask if you had any doubts about my candidacy that I could clear up for you right now? ASKING A STUDENT INTERVIEWER · What resources, such as tutors, can students tap into if they are struggling with medical school courses?" · "How many advisors do you have and what purpose does each advisor have?" - What support does the medical school give for research and other healthcare projects?"