Communication

Team player attitude 

Problem-solving techniques

Adaptability

Leadership

Time management

Growth mindset

Not being afraid of failure: The very first surgery I observed was rough. It was a toe amputation and there was an abnormal amount of blood, more than I was used to. I grew up in a hunting family, so the sight of blood never seemed to bother me. However, in the midst of this surgery I passed out. After a lot of crying and contemplating why I did such a thing, I realized that I was just super excited to be foreshadowing my future self. I also found that I was, in fact, not used to human blood as much as I thought I would be. From that point forward I made it my goal to slowly introduce myself to blood while watching surgeries. I knew I wanted to pursue surgery, so I gave it my all to not be afraid of failing at the site of blood. I reassured myself that my hard work would pay off. As a result, at the end of my internship, I was fully used to human blood and could watch a surgery being performed without getting even slightly nauseous.

Not being afraid to speak up: I have always dealt with shyness since I was a little girl. I'm more afraid of what I would think of myself if I messed up than what others might think. While interning at Black Canyon Surgical Center I tried my best to be a social butterfly; it was one of my top goals. It didn't always work out for me some days; however, I still managed to make connections with some of the staff members both on and off the clinical field. I had personal conversations that I will always respect and remember moving forward. In all, the interactions I had with the staff showed me that creating a bubbly atmosphere and communicating gets you a lot farther in life!

Over the summer I work with my dad on hardwood floors. Finishing a hardword floor involves intensive precision and attention to detail. If you don't put your full effort into a floor, it potentially deconstructs the worthiness of it being dependable in the future. Applying this to surgery, you can't go below the standards of completing an ethical and reliable surgery without there being consequences in the long run.

Throughout the school year and during the summer I intern at my mom's work. In this internship I file important state documents under specific names. This creates a well casted arena of working under pressure while keeping my organization skills in check. As a surgeon, I believe having exceptional organizational skills allows you to delve into the managereal side of surgery as well as hands on side of surgery more fluently and professionally.

At MHS, I have surrounded myself in classes with a rigorous curriculum; mostly consisting of AP classes as well as attentative classes like COS. These classes have all taught me work ethic, reliability,  integrity, tranquility, and perseverance while working in a chaotic environment.

I am part of the Black Canyon Rotary Club at MHS. The focus of this club is to put others above yourself, creating a well rounded and safe place for the community. In relation to surgery, I can apply the skills I have learned in this club to the surgeries I hope to one day perform myself.