Diesel Johnson’s Personal Statement
I have been exposed to medicine from a very early age, as I was born with Asthma. Learning to manage my Asthma required many visits to different health providers at many different hospitals which acted as a catalyst to my interest in the medical field that saved my life. My experiences made me realize how important of a role medicine plays and how it is the most rewarding and respected profession I have ever come across.
The military played a large role with my father serving in the U.S. Army. Multiple moves during my childhood allowed me to experience multiple fields of work and environments where I gained the skills of working on cars, houses, construction, and welding. This experience which seemed tough at the time ended up lighting the path of what I wanted to do in the future. As I was always side by side with my father in the garage, and my mother in every field she practiced. Watching my mother work with dedication and passion in different fields became a long-lasting image ingrained in me to follow in her footsteps. Knowing each step of the way I wanted to be a part of the medical field.
During the summer of 2016, I volunteered 138 hours in the Department of Radiology at Martin Army Community Hospital, Fort Benning, GA. I received two awards: “Certificate of Appreciation,” and “Most Dedicated Hours.” My responsibilities started out with helping at the front desk greeting, answering phones, escorting patients, and occasionally transported them back to departments and out of the hospital as requested. I observed and worked alongside Radiology Techs in X-Ray, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), CT (Computed Tomography), and Ultrasound departments, always protecting confidentiality of patients. I learned how vital of a role Radiology plays in the health care industry and it was an honor to have the chance to work with such an amazing team and role models at such a young age.
I now work as a Radiologist Facilitator with Medical Center Radiology. Doing what I enjoy, I get to work side by side with Radiologist, technicians, the emergency room, and other departments in the hospital. With constant exposure directly with X-rays, MRIs, and ultrasound studies which always spark my interest. Learning how the medical field deals with real cases and real problem. Which directly expresses why education is so important, and how what I am learning right now can be used in practical cases to save lives. This exposure again only drives my ambition further to achieve my goals in the medical field.
My passion of education has continued at Old Dominion University after 3 different high schools in two different states, again due to the military. My passion is only increasing as my subjects and classes are only becoming closer to my career goals and the medical field, I have received multiple rewards at ODU with Dean’s Lists every semester and future goals of attending Easter Virginia Medical School, which I commute past every day. I look forward to continuing my path to becoming a Radiologist and hopefully then guiding my little brother in my footsteps and continuing my education to better treat my patients.