PURSUiNG MEdicAl cAREERS AFtER SERviNG thEiR cOUNtRy

COMP’s administrationobstacles that could deter us fromalone is quite an impressiveour goals, but we should never letgroup. From a recentlythem obstruct our purpose.appointed medical schooldean to the OSPC’sThroughout our academic careers,Physician of the Year, thesewe experience times when we feelindividuals are true rolediscouraged or overwhelmed. Wemodels for their students.are constantly challenged by ourEven though I’ve beenrigorous academic schedules andemployed at COMP for lessimmense workloads. There maythan a year, it has been acome a point for many of ustremendous privilege toduring our time at WesternU inwork for both Dean Adamswhich we have difficulty seeingand Senior Executivethe light at the end of the tunnel.Associate Dean GregoryWe must be mindful of theMcQueen, PhD. They areprogress we have made thus far,unbelievably dedicated toand use it as motivation to moveCOMP and never seem to be off the clock. They haveforward. One of the most discouraging times in my lifeaccomplished such phenomenal achievements in theirwas when I faced my future with uncertainty. I amlives. One can’t help but be inspired by them. Thoughmore confident now than I was when I graduatedI don’t necessarily plan to be in medical schoolfrom the University of San Diego just one year ago,administration, I aspire to be just like these twothat my life would take me to exactly where I belong.individuals— great leaders, goal seekers and changeLuckily, most of us don’t have to face the uncertaintymakers.of our purpose; most of us know, and that’s why we’re“here.They remind me...this already exceptional DO program continues tothat while we allMy parents notdecide at some produce doctors who make major contributions to their only taught me,point in our lives workplaces, communities, and to the health care field. but also showedto follow our– Jayzona Albertome, that whencalling, only ayou make asmall few of uspositive impactactually do. To live a life driven by purpose isin another person’s life, you also make a positivesomething people across the world could only hopeimpact in your own. Each of us has a calling to dofor. Many of us at WesternU have found our purpose.something greater than ourselves, to make a positiveWe work diligently, prepare unceasingly, and findimpact, to help someone be happy or suffer less. As weourselves forever motivated by this purpose. We wantapproach the beginning of our health care careers, weto be great leaders, goal seekers, and change makers,are entering a profession that we love, one that canand WesternU is providing us with the education andbring us great joy and success. But success is nottraining to do so. Each of us has the potential to bemeasured by the accomplishments in our lives; ratherextraordinary, to live a purpose driven life, to humblyit’s about how we inspire others. Always remember:serve our communities as health care professionals.Your life is your message to the world. Make sure it’sBut, the road to this end goal never promised to beinspiring.easy. We must face the challenges ahead of us and the– Jayzona Alberto“WesternU View Summer 2012 47