Mehrshid Tohid

Everybody hates going to the doctor's office, but nobody likes being sick, so we continue to visit with a mixture of reluctance and gratitude. Doctors have always inspired me and that is why I want to be one of them when I grow older. My aunt Mehrshid is both a physician and an acupuncturist. She cures people by treating their pain. When I was growing up, I realized that she would never give up. Even after long, frustrating nights studying, she still had a smile on her face and went on. She would always have these great stories to tell me and I also wanted to have stories to tell my family as well. I know if I pursue my goal, then my family will be very proud! I am currently trying to volunteer at our local hospital, in Mission Viejo, California, and I have also joined a club in which we volunteer there, by greeting and giving directions to visitors. I love helping people and that is why I want to be a doctor.

Mehrshid found studying the human body fascinating. It made her want to pursue the career of becoming a physician. She was in high school when her interest and aptitude in this field took root. Mehrshid went to school in Iran and California. From 1997-1999 she had to work for the government in a clinic in the rural areas in order to be able to obtain her Medical degree. When she finally got a degree in Western medicine from Azad University in 1999, she moved to California and pursued different routes in the medical field and finally, she enrolled at South Baylo University in 2014 and will graduate in 2016. She will be a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, AOM (Acupunture of Oriental Medicine) treatments identify a pattern of energetic imbalance within a patient and redress that disharmony through a variety of therapies that may include acupuncture needling, cupping, acupressure, exercises such as tai chi and other Chinese herbal preparations (found Acupuncture/Oriental Medicine Practitioner). Acupuncturist require significant formal education. With Mehrshid already having the experience and training from her degree in the medical field, Mehrshid has the knowledge to pursue the career of becoming an acupuncturist. Mehrshid has the required hands-on training that is needed to become an acupuncturist. (found Acupuncturist: Summary of Acupuncture Career Training). Mehrshid has many amazing achievements in which lead her to achieve her career. The salary of an a licensed acupuncturist makes about $45,000 a year, but with more practice and more years of experience it could go up to $100,000. A doctor/physician makes $187,200-$239,000, but again with more practice and experience their salary will go up. (according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook).

Mehrshid is a lifesaver, she cures people and treats them with a lot of respect, and she won't give up. In her last years of high school, she volunteered in senior citizen facilities and observed people with special needs. She also would go observing in small clinics. She would see surgeries and take notes, as an observer. In Iran, you go directly to medical school. There is no pre med. One of her many successes were writing articles about genetic diseases like diabetes, cancer, etc. She wrote those articles in the years 1994-1996. When Mehrshid graduated high school she went straight to medical school, which is extremely hard to get into, but with her strength of mind, she did it.

Mehrshid also went to the ministry of health in Iran in 1997 in order to work for the government to be able to obtain her degree. She volunteered in different sections like the Navy Hospital. She took care of the injured soldiers. Mehrshid was there for about a year and a half. She told me, "I believe that preventing illnesses is more effective than treating them." This is so true. Preventing anything from happening is better than taking the risk of being sick. If you are sick there is a long bumpy road that you have to go through to feel better. The better you maintain your health; the longer and happier life you will live. The fact that our President, Barack Obama, made health care available for the poor and the needy people through Obama care, made me think more about becoming a doctor so that I can help unfortunate people through some charity work. Although Obama care is not all charity work, I still want to help and do whatever I can to assists people.

I have many goals set for myself to pursue my career. In high school, I am going to participate in the volunteer program at Mission Hospital Medical Center. I would love to get familiar with the work area. Volunteering there would be very nice because I love seeing the smile on people's faces when I help them! Or even seeing the babies that are just born will bring me a lot of joy! I have also joined a club at my school called, The Grey's Anatomy club, which helps give back to the nurses. In these 4 years of high school I am going to have more than a 4.0 GPA and this will happen because I am in an Honors English class which boosts it up. I will also take some AP classes later on and that will bring my GPA up as well. In college, which I am not certain where exactly I am going, I am determined not to give up and try my hardest. I will work hard and succeed, I am excited to see what happens in the future. Mehrshid Tohid has inspired me so much, not only through her career, but by being an amazing aunt and always being by my side. I am glad that I can call her my best friend.