Letters of Inspiration: March 29th, 2011

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Date: March 29, 2011 8:20:41 PM PDT
To: info@kathymagliato.com
Subject: Dear Dr. Magliato

Dear Dr. Magliato

Thank you for being a great role model for medical students like myself.

I am currently a 2nd year medical student who is on the fence about surgery, but not because I do not love it. Having to take the MCATs several times and apply to medical school several times just to barely get accepted to a lower-tier medical school, I have come to a point where it is becoming harder know what all this is worth for. The constant judgment of my competency against numbers, grades, and awards have dampened my passion for surgery as I start to realize that I may only be an average student. Further, having obtained an MPH I do miss research and some of the areas of medicine that values creativity. However, when I saw how you are involved in both medicine and public health effort while writing a memoir, it has truly inspired me to re-think what I believe I can and cannot do. I was also inspired by how you described that you can have both a family and career. In the back of many female medical student’s minds is the question of whether we will be able to have both, especially knowing that the odds are against female surgeons. Therefore, to see someone who has gone through the process and has been successful with their personal and professional life, it is a great comfort.a

I also wanted to ask you how your experiences were when you were a medical student.
In your opinion, how much do these numbers in our medical career matter in getting to where you are? (GPA, MCAT scores, USMLE scores)
Is it just me, or was medical school an absolutely miserable experience for you as well?
Did you worry about whether you would be able to have kids as you were training?
Lastly, how were you able to cultivate your creative side in a field that is not known to be the most flexible?

Thank you once again for your story.

-Joanne

Letters of Inspiration: Feb 26th, 2011

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I love it when people inspire each other.  This letter inspires me to inspire more young women to become cardiothoracic surgeons!

Date: February 26, 2011 11:20:44 PM PST
To: info@kathymagliato.com

Dear Ms. Magliato,
I wasn’t sure exactly how to contact you so I am sending this to your publicist and the email given on your website in the hopes that somehow it will end up reaching you.  My name is Zoe Fullerton and I am a senior at Palisades Charter High School.  Three weeks ago I picked up your book, Heart Matters, in a book store in Malibu by chance and I am so grateful that I did.  Though I am only a high school student it is my dream to become a cardiothoracic surgeon.  However, there are many things about my goal that in the past have made me doubtful that I could actually achieve it. Your stories about finding the balance between being a determined and “cold” surgeon and a compassionate doctor, not to mention finding the balance needed to become a respected female surgeon, have changed my life.  I have so much admiration for the way you have overcome and pushed through any obstacle placed before you.  I hope to one day be able to tell others about experiences similar to yours with the same passion and compassion that you convey in your book.  In simple words, you and your stories are an inspiration and I cannot thank you enough for that. In fact, it was your meeting with Christiaan Barnard that inspired me to write this email! Thank you again!


Sincerely,
Z. F.

Letters of Inspiration: Feb 23rd, 2011

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I love inspiring our youth.  They are our future!  

Date: Wed, Feb 23, 2011 at 7:08 PM
Subject: 10 year old wants to be you
To: info@kathymagliato.com

Dear Dr. Magliato,

 

Hello my name is Karee Dinkel and I am a fifth grader at Holy Family Elementary in Hays, Kansas. I am getting ready to be in a program called famous figures where we do a report about a famous person. After looking on the internet about women heart surgeons I found you. I want to be a heart surgeon when I grow up like you. We ordered your book and found lots of good information. But still need some more information. Here are some questions if you time to answer them I would appreciate it. I don’t have much time before the report is due and I might not have time to finish your book.

 

What is your birthday? Including the year.

Did you really start a food fight in high school?!

How come you lost your spot as class valedictorian?

Is there something else you would like people to know about you?

 

Thank you for your time!

K. D.