EAST Oriens Award: Why I want a career in trauma and acute care surgery.

Abstract: The opportunity to compose this essay for the Eastern Association for the Surgery Trauma's Oriens Award has been the most terrific privilege of my training thus far. This award gave my passion a voice. It helped me better understand myself and my need to be a part of this world, this universe that selflessly dedicates every moment of themselves to the care of the critically ill and injured patient. I found every single past Oriens Essay and Keynote Address is a testament to the pure resilience, strength, and grit necessary to embody the calm and collected exterior of the internally screaming trauma surgeon. To me, this award, and all the previous essays, represents the genuine passion of this community and its continued support of each other. As I continue to process the honor of being selected for this prestigious award, I would like to thank my peers, mentors, and the entire trauma community for your perpetual inspiration and education. Your success and timeless dedication to the evolution of this field simply fascinates me. In preparing to join this society, it is my hope that some of these words may inspire, in an effort to reprise my mentors and truly thank you for selecting my essay for this year's award.