Traditional Interview Questions

What are your two greatest weaknesses?

-delegating tasks, -introverted nature (can be hesitant to reach out to others) -listen rather than speak

What do you feel are the negative or restrictive aspects of medicine from a professional standpoint?

-emotional toll -burnout -long hours/difficult schedule **talk about how each can be overcome/turn it into a positive**

How do you imagine the balance of research and clinical work in your future?

70% clinical 30% research. Research is so important to me but patient care will be my priority as a physician and I want to spend more time at the bedside, seeing the impact of new research on patients directly.

If you had to choose between clinical and academic medicine as a profession, which would you pick? What do you feel you might lose by being forced to choose?

Academic: more flexibility and space to do research, care for patients, and be involved in the education of future physicians and healthcare providers. One of the benefits of clinical medicine would be getting to chose more precisely where I want to work and the patient pop I want to serve. That's why I'm interested in Wayne state, because I can practice academic medicine and serve a vulnerable and underserved pop. Also being in private practice might allow for a more flexible schedule with less hours. To me however, the variety of roles and projects I could work on in an academic setting would be well worth a more challenging schedule

Tell me about a time when you had to compromise.

Buckeyethon: team wanted to move dm, my team captins did not, since we couldn't agree, I asked that before a final decision be made, we hold a meeting for all TCs where they could learn and understand the reasons behind the change. Only then, would I be on board with moving the dm

What impact do you want to leave on Wayne State?

Contributed to research, helped make it a welcoming and inclusive space, got involved with free clinic and implemented a change to improve it, helped my classmates in their journey in some way

What is the biggest challenge that is facing the medical field today?

Distrust of science and medicine and spread of misinformation. Everyone in the medical field needs to work to understand why this distrust exists and provide pts with the resources and knowledge to change it.

Tell me about a time when you made a mistake. What did you do and how did you correct it?

Failing to ask for help when struggling with hard classes. Honest with myself and my shortcomings. Sought out a tutor and adjusted my study habits. Began to ask for help when I needed it in school, research, etc.

What experiences have most motivated you to pursue medicine?

Family, camp quality, research, shadowing, Buckeyethon, hospice, my current job, free clinic

How do you handle stress?

I set priorities, break big tasks/projects down into smaller and more manageable pieces, and talk with my support system (family and close friends). I also make sure to create moments for myself to look forward to, whether that's dinner at a new restaurant at the end of the week, a walk in the park, or time out with friends.

Can you think of any examples in our society when healthcare is a right? When is it a privilege? When is it not clear?

I think in general, right now, healthcare is treated as a privilege. Because it is not affordable and accessible for all. I belive it should be a right. Certain elective procedures, such as cosmetic procedures, I think could remain a privilege, if they are not necessary for maintaining or improving one's health.

How do you handle failure?

I view failure as a tool for improvement and a motivator. Talk about research failures. If possible I ask for feedback on how to improve, I revisit my process and look for areas of improvement, I ask for help if I need it, I am honest with myself and work to identify my shortcomings and fix them.

Why choose medicine over some other career in health?

I'm really interested in all the various roles a physician holds beyond caring for patients. I like that I will also be a researcher, educator, leader, team member all while caring for patients. I also think physicians have the unique opportunity to bring patients hope and comfort, in a way that other health careers might not be able to. I also want to follow a patients care from start to fisnih, being alongside them every step of the way.

If you couldn't pursue medicine, what would you pursue?

If I couldn't pursue medicine or anything medically related (like being a pa or np), i would like to work for a nonprofit. My experiences with buckeyethon introduced me to philanthropy and I would enjoy sharing that with others, especially people who are normally excluded from this area (for financial reasons). I would also love to open my own ice cream shop one day and have part of the proceeds go to a cause I really care about or gives back to the community in some way.

What kind of experiences have you had working with sick people? Have these experiences taught you anything that you didn't know beforehand?

Importance of acknowledging someone's feelings and honoring their emotions, to be greatful for every moment and as present in each moment as possible, that every individual deals with sickness differently and that care must be personalized and holistic, that these experiences give me a sense of purpose

What do you do in your spare time?

In my spare time, I read books, spend time outdoors, spend time with family, and walk/play with my dogs. I'm also starting to learn to play the piano again.

What was the most stressful situation you ever faced? How did you handle it?

In recent years it was dealing with the stress of having 2 sick family members while living away from home. Set priorities, made sacrifices, talked to my support system, created moments for myself to look forward to.

What are three things you want to change about yourself?

Make myself a little more outgoing at work/school (takes me a while to warm up), improve my ability to delegate tasks, share what I'm feeling more

If you could invite four people from the past to dinner, who would they be, and why would you invite them? What would you talk about?

Maya Angelou, my grandpa,

Who is the most influential person in your life?

My brother jonah. He has showed me how to be a more resilient, selfless, and supportive person. It is because of him and our experiences with cancer during childhood that I am here today. He motivates me in times of struggles, points me in the right direction, and reminds me of my purpose and goals each day.

What got you interested initially in medicine?

My brothers cancer diagnosis, growing up in hospitals and seeing firsthand how medicine changes lives.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Practicing medicine at an academic medical center, possibly pediatrics or oncology since those are my biggest interests right now, I would like to be serving diverse and underserved populations, conducting translational research, helping lead inter professional teams, personal: start a family and have a house with a yard for my dogs

How have the jobs, volunteer opportunities, or extracurricular experiences that you have had better prepared you for the responsibilities of being a physician?

Prepared me to dedicate my time and energy to serving others and preparing myself to serve others, understand the importance of appreciating new perspectives and learning about different life experiences, appreciate for lifelong learning and inter professional collaboration, shown me how to connect and build relationships with others (even when I think we have absolutely nothing in common)

What are your hobbies?

Reading, spending time outdoors and with my dogs, trying new restaurants, playing the piano

Tell me about a time when you collaborated on a successful project.

Recruiting over 3000 student fundraisers and raising over $600000 in just 3 months. Collaborated with and led a team of 5 people. Our diversity encouraged innovation and we came up with new ways to engage people virtually (virtual info sessions, fundraising competitions and challenges, socially distant gathering and prizes, meetings with our patients, themed meetings)

Tell me about a time when you were in an ethically questionable situation

Red Cross volunteering. I have clients ask me all the time for more money to help cover the cost of hotel rooms, transportation, and other things to help them recovery. Red Cross policy however states that I can only give aid in very specific cases, which most my clients don't meet. These are always ethically challenging for me, as I want to be able to give my clients whatever they need to recover and I recognize and hear their pain and struggles. However, the rc has limited funds and by taking them, I'd risk leaving a person that needs them and qualifies foe them without money. And I have to follow rc guidelines to make things as fair as possible.

In your opinion, what is the most pressing health issue today?

Right now, it's the distrust in medicine and science by portions of the general population. The spread of misinformation related to medicine and healthcare is confusing and dangerous, as it prevents people from making confident, fully informed healthcare decisions. Physicians and the healthcare field as a whole must find ways to reach out to the general public, reestablish trust, and educate them on important medical issues in a compassionate, culturally competent manner.

Why medicine?

Talk about hope?

What is the one thing you want me to convey to the admission committee?

That I have a number of things that I bring to the table and can share with my classmates to enhance our student body and that I'll be committed to doing that. Diverse perspectives and inter professional experience.

What do you feel are the social responsibilities of a physician?

education of the general public and future healthcare providers, exhibit compassion and empathy towards others, advocate for changes that benefit and improve the health of communities

What excites you about medicine in general?

hope, lifelong learning from research, students, and patients

In what manner and to what degree do you stay in touch with current events?

i usually check the local and national news once in the morning and once at night. When big issues come up or things that i'm interested in, i try to read up more on the issue from reliable sources

What do you believe to be some of the most pressing health issues today? Why?

lack of access to affordable care, effects of stress on health (specifically due to racism), health inequalities

What family members, friends, or other individuals have been influential in your decision to pursue a medical career?

my brother (main reason I want to go into medicine), my family (supported me in my journey and goals), and all the physicians I've met along the way (shown me exactly why I want to be a doctor)

Why did you choose your undergraduate major?

my favorite classes in high school were biology based, attended a cancer research day at Michigan and was so excited by everything that was happening, wanted a major related to biology that would prepare me for a medical career and help me get involved in research.

As a pre-med, what skills have you learned to help manage your time and relieve stress?

prioritization, setting boundaries, maintain a positive attitude (set goals and activities to look forward to), ask for help when needed

Describe your clinical experience.

Free clinic- understood importance of strong inter professional teams—>shadowing (saw many roles drs hold)—>hospice volunteering (exposed me to the more emotionally challenging side of medicine, enjoy building relationships with patients)—>now working as ophthalmic scribe (excited to meet my patients each day, rewarding to see how they're improving, like being able to make them comfortable, excited to continue learning everyday from doctors and patients)—>personal experience caring for my family members (stripping drainage tubes, changing bandages, cutting stitches) prepared me to help people in their most vulnerable state, to maintain compassion and patience even when it becomes difficult and exhausting

If you are not a minority, how might you best meet the needs of a multiethnic, multicultural patient population?

Get involved in the community and get to know your patients. Express interest in their culture if your patients are sharing it with you. Educate yourself outside of the clinic and discover the issues that impact them. Find things in common with your patient and express empathy and compassion at all times.

Are you a leader or a follower? Why?

I believe I'm both, because different scenarios require me to asssume a different role. For example, when I was in training for my job, I was a follower, learning from others. I try my best, however, in every situation to be a leader. I've learned that you don't need a title to be an example for others. Leadership often comes in doing the small things right, so that the big and harder decisions come more easily. (Talk about research, leading my siblings, at work) I can lead others in being calm for example

What is your favorite book? Why?

My most recent favorite book I've read is Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. It's a collection of stories that illustrate her relationship with nature. I love it because she weaves her scientific knowledge, she's a trained botanist, with her Native American culture to write about nature. I think it's so beautifully written and makes me consider my own relationship with the natural world around me and how my upbringing has influenced it.

Do you have any family members or role models who are physicians?

No family members, but I do have physicians that I have met and look up to. Growing up, I spent much of my time in hospital rooms with my brother. I always admired his physicians and their ability to provide comfort and hope to my family when we needed it most. I've also met a number of physicians while shadowing that I admire. I admired Dr. Bavishi's holistic approach to care and how she recognized that a patients emotional needs were just as important as their physical ones. I also admired Dr. Yanik, who prioritized education. He set aside time not just to share knowledge with his patients, but also with his healthcare team.

What do you do for fun?

Try new restaurants, spend time with family, spend time outdoors (check out new nature trails), play with my dogs, I'm going to start playing the piano.