Where did you Match and in what specialty?
I matched in Internal Medicine at HonorHealth in Scottsdale, AZ.
Tell us a little bit about you and your journey before entering medical school.
I was born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon where I attended school in the French quarter of the country. I moved to Bethlehem, PA when I turned 18 to complete a BS in Behavioral Neuroscience at Lehigh University. In the months between graduation and medical school, I worked as a medical scribe in the department of cardiology at Lehigh Valley Hospital.
What was your experience of medical school?
My medical school experience was truly unique. Given my personal upbringing, I was thrilled to embark on a global education journey through the UQ-Ochsner MD program. Brisbane offers a vibrant and walkable cityscape, with abundant food options, and nearby beaches to enjoy. On the other hand, the culture in New Orleans is so rich, with many entertainment options and a strong community spirit. The patient population is incredibly diverse, with individuals from a wide array of ethnicities, cultures, and age groups. As a medical student, I found myself immersed in a wealth of learning opportunities that enriched my educational journey.
What inspired you to become a doctor and when did you become interested in this specialty?
My initial desire to attend medical school transpired early on when I had to assume the role of the patient myself. I was dealing with an unusual arrhythmia and the diagnosis was a mystery to solve. With every hospital visit, my curiosity in medicine evolved and my new passion emerged. I saw a part of myself in some of the doctors I met, the ones who heard my story and were honest about their uncertainty and the one in the United States who ended up treating me. In medical school, my rotation in hospital medicine quickly became one of my most memorable clinical experiences. It was easy to appreciate the diverse range of diagnoses, the complexity of some of the cases encountered, and the broad spectrum of patient demographics. I was captivated by the medical detective aspect of internal medicine, which reminded me of the medical challenges I faced in my early life.
I presented my research project during Kidney Week 2024 in Philadelphia, PA
What are you looking forward to the most in the next chapter?
I look forward to exploring the field of internal medicine, gaining more independence in patient care, and developing my decision-making abilities. I'm particularly excited to develop long-term relationships with patients and work collaboratively to prevent future illnesses. I believe this will be a very rewarding aspect of my next chapter. I am thrilled to call Scottsdale home and discover all it has to offer!