Haroon Afzaal

We normally only realize in hindsight how our experiences change the course of our lives. Looking back, I think I was extremely fortunate to have been enrolled in a high school that placed immense importance on internships and extracurricular activities which allowed students to find their passion and help build important character traits like honesty, integrity, time management, and a strong work ethic. These opportunities played an integral role in my personal development and instilled a deep desire in me to work as a benefactor for society.

Being from a family of physicians, I had experienced firsthand how hard a doctor’s life could be. However, it was only when I witnessed my grandfather’s deterioration due to prostate cancer that I was able to realize the effect an illness can have on a patient and their families and appreciate how satisfying being a doctor would be in such circumstances.

Starting at Lahore Medical and Dental College was both pleasant and challenging. Quickly grasping tough scientific concepts while simultaneously establishing a new beginning with new friends seemed like a daunting task, but by the end of the first term, everything fell into place. My class was quite culturally diverse, with students belonging to different social backgrounds from all over Punjab. Interaction with my peers through activities in various student clubs provided me with a chance to participate in sports and theatrics which helped strengthen my confidence, interpersonal skills, and team-oriented skills. I was beaming with enthusiasm as I entered my fourth year of MBBS. I was pleasantly surprised when I started my rotation in behavioral science/psychiatry as I had never thought about psychiatry as a career choice before this. By the end of my rotation, I was happy to know I had dedicated myself to a chosen specialty.

During my core clerkships, I looked forward to clinic days where I could sit across from patients about to have a surgery or procedure and listen attentively as they told stories of fear, sadness, and apprehension. I learned how underlying distress or anxiety could manifest as subtle physical complaints. I began to appreciate how mental states could influence a patient’s interpretation of illness. I realized that by simply being attentive and mindful, I could demonstrate my empathy and concern, and show them that they were not alone in the process. This further consolidated my interest in psychiatry.

I believe that a rotation in psychiatry at your institution would be a great learning opportunity for me. This rotation would provide me with a chance to learn in the field of Psychiatry

Regards:

Dr. Muhammad Haroon Afzaal

Post-Graduation Internship (HOUSEJOB):

1 Year

DHQ TEACHING HOSPITAL, SAHIWAL

Ophthalmic Surgery 

3 Months

General Surgery(including Surgical Emergency)

3 Months

Psychiatry

3 Months

General Medicine(including Medical Emergency)

3 Months

Post-Internship Experience:

Medical Officer in (Psychiatry)

9 Months

Sarwat Medicare and Children Hospital, Sahiwal.

 Medical Officer in  Medicine ( 6 Months) +  Emergency Medicine (5 Months)

11 Months

Tehsil Head Quarter Hospital Renala Khurd, Okara.

Current Position:

Senior House Officer in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Children’s Health Ireland, Crumlin.

Senior House Officer in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Children’s Health Ireland, Crumlin.

23rd January 2023-- TIll Present

JCAT (MD/MS Program):

Passed Joint Centralized Admission Test for Induction in MD/MS Program conducted by

King Edward Medical University Lahore on 6th March 2022