Changing the World

Changing the World

“Beep, beep, beep!” There I stand holding the patient’s hand as her heart beat sets the mood early in the morning. “Now take a few breaths and have a great sleep, we will take great care of you,” the anesthesiologist states to the patient. She is quite frightened, grasping my hands with such a force that I start to feel tingling in my fingertips.  “I will be right here when you wake up ma’am,” I said as she looked to me right as she doses off.  An exploratory surgery was being conducted to determine the state of her recently diagnosed stage IV breast cancer, one of the most difficult to treat.  However, she placed her trust in my hands to do my absolute best at conquering this uphill battle we were about to encounter together.

There’s no greater pleasure than being a support for someone who may be momentarily broken. As a master’s surgical assistant student, I’ve had the unique opportunity to embrace my true calling, unselfishly helping others in need. In my rigorous two year of clinical training throughout the Hampton Roads, Virginia hospitals, I have assisted in many surgeries of all subcategories.  By the time I finish I will successfully be able to first assist in any operation. This unique training has provided me with an unimaginable experience, aiding in success when all hope was gone.

“Good morning, you’re just waking up from surgery. We have some terrific news.” The past eight hours were spent meticulously investigating the complex system that cancer brings forth, as we carefully dissected each cancer cell. Eventually, the pathology team determined that all margins were extracted. Our patient not only survived, but she also was 100% cancer free! It was a true medical miracle that I was actively apart of. The world offers no supplement to the feeling of reinstating hope in one’s life, allowing that person to go home and spend another day with her family, and most of all, enjoy life.

As I embark on a long career as a surgical assistant, I will take each day and find the small miracles in life. Every time I regain hope in another person’s life, I will think back and realize just how fortunate I am to have an opportunity like this.  Little by little, I will be able to successfully reach out to hundreds and thousands of people throughout my career and make a difference; by taking something that’s momentarily broken, and help fix it.

Thank you for an incredible opportunity to be apart of this scholarship contest.

Evan Taxin

Candidate Physician Assistant Studies

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine