Having been a competitive ice hockey player interested in the medical field since I was young, the experience of requiring reconstructive surgery on the labrum of my left shoulder solidified my desire to pursue a career in medicine. During my junior year of high school, in the spring of 2021, as regionals were approaching, a play during a scrimmage resulted in the unfortunate complete dislocation of my left shoulder. Dr. Chams had previously operated on my father's left shoulder due to a similar dislocation event that had occurred when he was playing hockey. Luckily, Dr. Chams had instructed my father on how to maneuver his shoulder in the event of a dislocation to minimize the time spent dislocated. My father, in turn, walked me through how to relocate my shoulder myself while still on the ice surface without having to remove the extensive goalie gear. Unfortunately, even with the relocation of my shoulder, I was unable to participate in any games for the remainder of the season. I knew that another dislocation event without reparations to my shoulder would cost me the remainder of my hockey career. As I wanted to continue to the collegiate level, I scheduled a reconstructive surgery with Dr. Chams. The process of having the surgery done laparoscopically and being able to watch it back via the video stream showed me a side of medicine to which I had not yet been exposed. The speed at which I regained strength and was able to play hockey was faster than anticipated. Having known I wanted to go into medicine and now seeing the firsthand effects of the impact it can have on an individual's life, specifically an athlete, I am drawn more than ever to the prospect of being able to aid others in the way that Dr. Chams helped me. Recently, I had the opportunity to shadow Dr. Chams in the OR and witnessed firsthand the process by which the reconstructions were completed. The combination of the experience of an injury, undergoing reconstructive surgery and recovery, an already vested interest in the field of medicine, and now having viewed a day in the life of an orthopedic surgeon, I know that medical school is the calling for me!
During my junior year of high school, in the spring of 2021, as regionals were approaching, a play during a scrimmage resulted in the unfortunate complete dislocation of my left shoulder.
Dr. Chams had previously operated on my father's left shoulder due to a similar dislocation event that had occurred when he was playing hockey. Luckily, Dr. Chams had instructed my father on how to maneuver his shoulder in the event of a dislocation to minimize the time spent dislocated. My father, in turn, walked me through how to relocate my shoulder myself while still on the ice surface without having to remove the extensive goalie gear.
Unfortunately, even with the relocation of my shoulder, I was unable to participate in any games for the remainder of the season. I knew that another dislocation event without reparations to my shoulder would cost me the remainder of my hockey career. As I wanted to continue to the collegiate level, I scheduled a reconstructive surgery with Dr. Chams. The process of having the surgery done laparoscopically and being able to watch it back via the video stream showed me a side of medicine to which I had not yet been exposed.
The speed at which I regained strength and was able to play hockey was faster than anticipated. Having known I wanted to go into medicine and now seeing the firsthand effects of the impact it can have on an individual's life, specifically an athlete, I am drawn more than ever to the prospect of being able to aid others in the way that Dr. Chams helped me.
Recently, I had the opportunity to shadow Dr. Chams in the OR and witnessed firsthand the process by which the reconstructions were completed. The combination of the experience of an injury, undergoing reconstructive surgery and recovery, an already vested interest in the field of medicine, and now having viewed a day in the life of an orthopedic surgeon, I know that medical school is the calling for me!