Izabela Birsanescu

I am currently a pre-medical student doing a Cultural and Medical Anthropology Major at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor campus. I am a part of several clubs at my school including the Badminton club, the University Christian Outreach club, the Backpacking club and the Pre-Medical club. I am studying Anthropology due to my belief that in order to be a great doctor, one must be aware of his or her own cultural influences and how these shape the individual's perception of others. With the increased diversification of culture: faith, sexuality, socioeconomic status, disability, ethnicity and race, I believe a doctor must respect patients' value system and care for them in a professional manner. My decision to become a doctor began through my passion for helping people in disadvantaged communities through service volunteering. Since I began high school I was very involved in my community through my leadership positions in the Junior Reserve Officer's Training Corps. Since high school I have taken many classes geared to understanding the human body and the culture dynamic. I have completed both Emergency Medical Technician schools for Basic Technician and Paramedic, as well as, held positions in the ambulance, telemetry unit, home-care, medical interpreter, and patient attendant at Rapid Response EMS, Garden City Hospital and the University of Michigan Hospital System. I have a used my experience and training in being a full-time volunteer for three years for the home-care of seniors through the Ann Arbor Senior Center and Emmanuel House. I truly enjoy the educational aspect of medicine, as well as, patient contact. My goal is to become an emergency medicine doctor and to work in disadvantaged communities. I have since participated in GIEU Uganda to better understand another culture, disability, and the dynamics of community in another country. There I volunteering in clinics, worked with infants up to two years of age and observed the relationship of those with special needs with the rest of the community.

With the changing demographics of the United States I strongly believe that to be a good doctor one must have compassion, empathy, and an open-mind when performing patient care. Besides a sense of gratitude and empathy my oversees trip has taught me the importance of global awareness and has inspired me to further my education in International Studies. I have also developed a great sense of appreciation for the program Doctors Without Borders and wish to make this a yearly commitment as a doctor. I strive to made a difference in my patient's lives and to help others in developing a better patient-doctor relationship through furthering education in cultural awareness.