Overcomer: A Surgeon in Training’S Incredible Testimony of Failure, Faith and Insurmountable Victory

By Shamini Parameswaran MD

This is a very inspiring story and will resonate with any medical students or physicians who have faltered along their career path. Dr Parameswaran reminds us that faith can be the driving force to career success.

- Steven L. Berk MD

Dean of TTUHSC School of Medicine, Executive Vice President and Provost, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, author of Anatomy of a Kidnapping: A Doctors Story

Overcomer is the incredible story of constant failures and the never-ending uphill climb of a young womans journey towards fulfilling her dreams. This is the story of the modern-day Gideon and of how, when God has laid out plans for someone, He will be the one to bring the victory no matter how impossible the situation may seem. From failing out of a world-renowned institution to matching into one of the most competitive specialties in the country, this story highlights one of the most important fundamental principles of the Bible: nothing is impossible with God.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Oct 31, 2016
• ISBN: 9781512758535

Shamini Parameswaran MD

SHAMINI PARAMESWARAN is currently a resident training in the Integrated Cardiothoracic Surgery program at Yale New Haven Hospital and Yale School of Medicine. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, Master of Science degree in Microbiology from Texas Tech University, and Doctorate of Medicine degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine. She is currently obtaining a Master of Theology degree from North Carolina School of Theology. She has published online pieces for various online medical blogs and newsletters. A native of Texas, she hopes to return there to practice one day.

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Copyright © 2016 Shamini Parameswaran.

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This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

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ISBN: 978-1-5127-5854-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-5853-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016916197

WestBow Press rev. date: 10/18/2016

CONTENTS

Introduction

Chapter 1 The Comeback Kid

Chapter 2 You Might as Well Join the Peace Corps

Chapter 3 New Dreams Are Born

Chapter 4 USMLE Step 1

Chapter 5 Red Flags

Chapter 6 USMLE Step 2

Chapter 7 Rank List

Chapter 8 Match Day

Chapter 9 Haters Gonna Hate

Dedicated to my loving parents, who never once stopped believing in me and sacrificed everything so that my sister and I could have a better life. To Priya, for making my world so much better the minute you were born. To Jackie, my very first reader and the reason this project even took off. To all my friends, mentors, and teachers, to whom I will be eternally grateful.

INTRODUCTION

I am currently a cardiothoracic surgery resident at Yale New Haven Hospital. While the position may seem exciting, know that I traveled through a lot of darkness, and it was only by the grace of God that I have made it to where I am today. This story is not just meant to encourage those of you who may experiencing similar things, whether in the field of medicine or in a different specialty, but to also remind you that when the Lord has called you to something, He really will take you through until it is completed, no matter how the dark or impossible the journey may seem. More importantly, may my story exemplify the worth of trials. For our faith only grows stronger during the tough times and like gold is refined through fire, so are our souls during trials.

One of my favorite songs by Mandisa is Overcomer, a song I used to listen to during some of my hardest moments, especially in medical school. You see, I was only able to overcome the obstacles placed in my life because of Christ. And this book is just one mere representation of what Christ can do in our lives when we choose to believe. At the moment during all my struggles, I continued to question God why this was all even happening. But now looking back, I can say with so much strength that every tear was worth it because it all led up to this one moment, touching your heart and reminding you that God is alive today as He was thousands of years ago. May you be blessed by my testimony and be reminded of just how loved you are.

But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him. (Romans 5:8)

CHAPTER 1

The Comeback Kid

With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26)

I still remember receiving my acceptance letter to Hopkins, and it almost seems like yesterday. I was dead set on going to the University of Texas–Austin, but as soon as I got accepted—I didn’t think I would—I screamed and begged my parents to let me go. You’re probably thinking, Wow that’s awesome, Johns Hopkins! Yes, let me set the record. The institution is prestigious, but it’s a whole other ballgame when you leave home for the first time, go to the opposite end of the country, live in a different culture, and pursue the most difficult major in the country.

I remember how after accepting my entrance, I chose to go on a tour of the place and get a glimpse of what my future life would be like. Let me tell you, it was no fairy tale. As soon as we drove up to the campus, I started crying. My dad turned around and asked if I was okay. I shook my head no and told him I had a bad feeling about all of this.

He laughed and said, Well, I already paid tuition for the first year, so you’re going whether you like it or not.

I remember feeling really overwhelmed, and even though that moment