Future Dr. Clausen

Most kids spend their formative years dreaming big of what they want to be when they grow up. For me, I never wanted to be a doctor. It didn't occur to me that I could be good enough or handle the rigor required for such a lofty accolade.

Shadowing aka pretending to be a student

However, slowly but surely, I explored all that the field of biology has to offer. At first I wanted to be a teacher, then teach at a university so I could also do research. After a summer of working in one of the best labs at OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, I found that I surprisingly preferred shadowing my mentor on his clinical rounds to the endless Western blots. I found that his patients brought my petri dishes to life and personified all that I learned in my science classes. Each case brought an intricate puzzle that I was eager to solve, however the puzzles took shape in lovely ladies with her paintings draped across the room, or a young son surrounded by his high school friends.

Future OBGYN doing my 1st IUD insertion

Still not convinced I was capable of becoming a doctor, I looked into pursuing nursing or Physician's Assistant. In order to be a competitive applicant, I needed at least 1000 hours of paid, patient contact time. Given that most of the jobs on the list required extra degrees and certifications, I chose medical scribe as I already met their pre requisites. After completing my B.S. degree at Cal Poly, I moved up to Seattle and started working at a downtown family practice clinic.

Soon, I became comfortable and the role of doctor did not seem as intimidating, now that I had many hours working alongside several providers. I started to have the smallest inkling of hope and confidence that maybe I could do it; I could be a doctor. I saw doctor-hood as combining all that I wanted to be: a teacher to my patients, showing them how to live their healthiest and explaining their physiology/options in plain terms. I can use research and continually learn so that I am always sharp and up to date on the best practices or new ways I can help others. I can interact with and engage in the most humble, intimate manner with people of every age, race, orientation, status, etc. I can be a role model to serve and demonstrate for what doing your best looks like and better yet, that it is possible.

Volunteering w medical in sports!

As I started to fill out my applications, I saw that my academic section was poor and I knew that if I had to reapply, I needed to do something else to supplement my application, as well as beef up my grades. I found a Master's of Medical Science program at Heritage University in Yakima and enrolled. August I started and had the unique opportunity to take the Foundations course with the DO first year medical students of PNWU. I did extremely well, which was proof to admissions committees that despite my grades in undergrad, I COULD handle the rigors of medical school. (Of which, I already knew personally, but proving to ADCOMs was another thing...)

MAMS love

Fast forward 3000+ hours of scribing, MCAT studying & testing, primary & secondary applications written & rewritten, Master's program started, interviews and many, many rejections; I received an acceptance to Medical School. I had done it. I had grown in confidence and now PNWU, a DO medical school, also believes that yes, I can become a doctor.

Submitting my Med School app at Le Tour Eiffel

I am very fortunate to have had several amazing mentors along the way, and cherished friendships encouraging me towards this goal. I would not have gotten to this point without everyone else believing in me and my potential. However, I did not earn this on luck alone. I worked hard, kicking my butt and employing every resource I had to do my best. I took risks and set myself up in a way so that I could grasp every opportunity and have no closed doors. For example, in my Soph year at Cal Poly, I did not need to take the third Ochem course to go to grad school, as I was intending at the time, but took it anyways, because who knows down the road? I didn't want to have a door closed to me (like medical school) if I had not taken that class. I want anyone that has the slightest inkling of doubt, to know that it IS possible, but only if you give your absolute best and surround yourself with people that do, too.

Anywhere, Anytime. Even on a 13hr plane trip
mid quarter for a 100 mile race

With the risks I've taken: moving to Seattle, starting a Master's program, etc, I've had failures along the way. I was not a 4.0 student. In fact, I barely scraped by with a 3.0 after failing Statistics, and getting several C's. Though the difference is that I let these be learning opportunities. I got back up and worked harder to prove myself. I took off a lot of work and spent many, many hours studying for the MCAT. I exceeded what my grades predicted I should score and excelled.

some Lady Tiger Jungle Cats feat Adam & Philip

Additionally, a major contributor to my success and journey is ultra running. Without countless hours training in god-knows-what conditions, rookie mis-adventures, miles shared with so many beautiful people, I definitely would not be here. Running has allowed me to see so many beautiful things and people in the world- my perspective has been widened and softened. I have also seen myself through running. I learned about every muscle, tendon and bone through various injuries, my limits that can extend in endurance, and that my mental strength is feisty and deep. I know that when I am determined enough, I can get through almost anything. With training and racing, I have learnt key lessons that have bled into my life: patience, perseverance, tolerance, humility, adaptation, passion, grit, and more. The community of online "Likers", random dudes you shared that sunrise and oh-so-many miles with, weekend warrior Lady Tiger Jungle cats, and all others in running have bouyoed me with love and included me in being a part of something epic. We also share our love for nature continuously. They inspire me to pursue my best in running, an art I'm continuously trying to perfect, and be a better person because of it. I truly owe so much to the sport. (And probably my medical career as it likely caught the eye of ADCOMs reading my personal statement).

This. No caption needed.

So, cheers to the long journey ahead. Though running may not be much more than hobby jogging, and I might not be easy to nail down for hanging out, you'll know I'll be grinding in #NeverStopStudying mode for the next 8 ish years and beyond. Thank you, all.

Class of 2023! See you in August.