Personal Statement Prompt: A personal letter is required. We are looking for mature, enthusiastic physicians who bring with them a broad range of life experiences, are committed to providing excellent patient care, and can embrace the depth and breadth of experiences our program offers. In 500 words or less, please address the following areas:  What life experiences demonstrate your adaptability, team skills, leadership potential, and sense of compassion?  Why do you feel the University of Manitoba would be your right choice?  In what ways are you connected to Manitoba?

Sample Personal Statement of a Physician

I was raised in a low-income household in Nigeria and experienced the struggles that came with financial hardship. One of the most impactful lessons I learned during this period was the importance of perseverance as my parents never gave up even when times were tough. Living with limited resources has helped me to develop a resilient spirit and be resourceful as I had to find creative ways to make things work with what was available. The skills acquired growing up helped me adapt easily while working in different hospital/clinic settings and with diverse patient populations.

Family medicine’s flexibility and diversity first drew me to the specialty, but my independent practice and varied patients’ interactions cemented my choice. I enjoyed interacting with and assessing patients’ social determinants during my independent practice and developing a healthcare plan. I remember a 44-year-old lady with chronic arthritis hip pain due to arthritis, but her financial situation and intolerable side effects prevented the prescription of an effective analgesic treatment. She was signed up for a program that covered her medications. I learned that social factors significantly affect people’s health and well-being.

I understood the significance of leadership when I led the anti-retroviral therapy (ART) team at Sango Primary Health Centre, I managed a team of nurses, community health workers, and volunteers with clear instructions in a supportive environment. I educated the community on HIV transmission and collaborated with NGOs to provide employment opportunities for HIV-positive patients who lost jobs due to discrimination. Patients’ HIV challenges/complaints were discussed amongst the team and questions from team members were asked/answered which helped us to achieve our individual and team goals.
I also enjoy working in a team, I remember an instance when an auto accident victim was brought to my facility. After initial assessment and triaging, I worked with the nurses and community health workers to stop the bleeding and stabilize the patient, the pharmacist was consulted and the patient was given some analgesics before referring him to the teaching hospital because of the severity of his injuries as we didn’t have the resources to handle such a case at the health center. A nurse accompanied the ambulance and I followed up with calls to ensure the patients receive the needed care and treatment. I learned that effective collaboration with other healthcare professionals can help in giving patients optimal care.

My community-based experience as a licensed Clinical Assistant at Easton Medical Clinic Selkirk Manitoba has expanded my knowledge and clinical skills of the Canadian healthcare system, clinic management, and patient-centered care delivery. This experience has broadened my communication skills through interactions with patients and their families about their healthcare experiences, their concerns, and their fears were addressed in a non-judgmental manner

My career goal is to become a competent Family Physician, improving my patient health and well-being of individuals and underserved communities, and contributing to medicine advancement through lifelong learning, research, and quality improvement initiatives. The University of Manitoba’s Family Medicine Residency emphasizes community-based learning, making it my first choice as it will provide me with a deeper understanding of social determinants of health and the unique challenges patients face in underserved communities. This fits well with my prior experience as a GP that worked in primary health centers and aligns with my goal of improving the health and well-being of patients especially those in marginalized communities. I look forward to learning more about indigenous health, experiencing various learning opportunities in different clinic/hospital settings, and enhancing my skills in providing comprehensive, patient-centered care.

I have lived in Winnipeg since 2019 and I have enjoyed the vibrant city characterized by a stable economy and diverse population. I am committed to continuing to build our lives here. Outside work, I volunteer at the Inspire Community Outreach where I assist in providing support to those living with mental health challenges. This and other volunteer experiences taught me the importance of good relationships for mental well-being and community integration.

My diversity, resourcefulness, and experience as a General Practitioner from a resource-constrained country have prepared me well for residency training.