course material

1. Editing Assistance: Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery Personal Statement
I realize today it was the desire for challenge that initially guided my interest into
neurosurgery. The further I immerse myself into neurosurgery, the more I have gravitated
toward cerebrovascular and skull base pathology. Successful treatment requires a thorough
understanding of the complex pathophysiology involving the cerebrovascular nervous
system in combination with meticulous mechanical ability. Today, evolving endovascular
and endoscopic techniques are revolutionizing the management of neurosurgical patients.
However, it is critical that modern dual-trained cerebrovascular surgeons maintain
fundamental proven surgical abilities. With that being said, it is my intention to pursue an
open cerebrovascular and skull base neurosurgery fellowship.Throughout my life and my
early medical career, I have relied on innate tenacity to recognize challenges to pursue as
opportunities. Whether walking on to the University of Texasfootball team or achieving high
academic standing in medical school, I attribute any success to an intrinsic fortitude that
drove me to achieve a distant goal.In addition, growing up in a small town west of Houston,
I have always appreciated the integrity, hospitality and commitment to communitythat is
abundant in rural towns. The inherent rural values of honesty and accountability have
instilled in me a natural sense of responsibility to others, often compelling me to assume
leadership positions. Ultimately, that combination of diligence and leadership translates
into an unyieldingcommitment when treating patients; bothbeing essentialin the
management of cerebrovascular patientswhooftenare facing grim outcomes.Mastery of
cerebrovascular surgery, neuroendovascular techniques, and both open and endoscopic
skull base surgeryrequires a lifelong commitmentthat I aim to further enrich with a
fellowship.Currently, I am completing my first year of a two-year enfolded
neuroendovascular fellowship, having participatedto date in over 550 diagnostic or
interventional neuroendovascular procedures.Additionally, I pursued academic clinical
projects developed from our subarachnoid hemorrhage database. Specifically, I investigated
the value our protocol of performing Day 7 vasospasm surveillance angiography had on
predicting clinical course and outcomes in aneurysmal SAH patients. The rapid onset with
which cerebrovascular disease afflicts patients often necessitates urgent treatment. Hence,
cerebrovascular surgeons often have unpredictable schedules. By engaging in a busy clinical
fellowship while simultaneously maintaining a commitment to academic projectsover the
past year has taught me that efficient time management is vital to productivity.Overall, a

2. fellowship offers me additional expertguidance to synergistically integrate with my current
skills, allowing me to hone my own approach and philosophy in caring for patients with
cerebrovascular disease. Reevaluating my conventional experiences through novel
perspectives facilitates innovative thoughtwhich I hope will enrich my current research or
ignite original interests.I affirm that I possess the necessary skills required to train in your
fellowship and eagerly anticipate contributing those to your program. Specifically, my
diligence, proven credibility, and deft response to challenges provide me the confidence and
lifelong passion required to further advance in the field of cerebrovascular neurosurgery.