PERSONAL STATEMENT FOR UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA,

COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

I was only three years old when my sister was brought into this world. She was born

nine weeks before her due date, and she could easily fit in my father’s palm. Like my mother,

she was born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, or brittle bone disease, and Ehlers Danlos

Syndrome (EDS). Every day for several weeks, my parents would bring me to the hospital to see

my sister in the NICU. Since I was so young, I did not understand that anything was wrong. I

loved going to the hospital to visit my sister. While I was there, I would give my grandmother

“tours” around the hospital. I was comfortable there. Thankfully, after approximately six weeks,

my sister was ready to come home.

Little did I know that this was only the beginning of an ongoing encounter with the field

of medicine. Osteogenesis Imperfecta and EDS have prominent roles in my family history.

Although I do not express either of these disorders, my grandmother, my mother, and my sister

have both conditions. In 2019, my mom was diagnosed with gastroparesis. The paralysis of her

stomach is thought to be a rare consequence of EDS.

Because of its rarity, this was new territory for many of the physicians that we consulted

with. I have watched as she has consulted with many doctors, both local and from the

University of Alabama, as they tried to find the best way to help my mom manage her

condition, and I had the opportunity to watch as they figured out what did and did not work in

treating her condition.

 I have always wanted to go into the field of medicine, but my experience with my

mother and our family history helped me define my purpose in pursuing this path. Becoming a

medical professional is not just about saving lives. A Doctor of Medicine takes on many

different roles in a patient’s life. They dedicate their lives to providing the best care that they

possibly can for those who are in need. They provide a support system for people even when

the situation appears rather bleak. Sometimes, they are the smiling face that reassures

someone that they are going to be okay. I want to go into the field of medicine to serve people

with the gifts I have been given. My experience consulting with doctors, shadowing, and my

studies in both psychology and biology have reinforced my interest in the medical field, and I

know it is where I belong.

Lastly, I believe that doctors are also meant to be teachers in a wide variety of

capacities. This includes educating patients about their conditions and passing on knowledge

and skills to the next generation of physicians. Much of my experience as an undergraduate

student has been dedicated to guiding and encouraging others in an academic capacity, and I

intend to extend this philosophy through medical school and my work as a future physician. The

University of Florida College of Medicine offers a unique opportunity to receive mentorship

early in the medical program, which is a feature that I believe would be an exciting and crucial

experience because of what mentorship has meant to me in my education.

Thank you for considering my application for admission to the College of Medicine at

the University of Florida. I look forward to hearing from you.

Best,

Kalob M. Cooper