- July 12, 2023
- ByApolloMD
Based on an eloquent essay, an extraordinary commitment to emergency medicine, and experience gained at one of Brooklyn’s busiest emergency departments, Bilal Shaukat, DO, is the winner of ApolloMD’s 6th Annual Emergency Medicine Residency Scholarship.
“The passionate dedication that our young physician colleagues bring to the profession is incredibly inspiring, especially in light of the demanding roles they play in an ever-changing health care environment,” said Yogin Patel, MD, president of ApolloMD, in announcing the 2023 winner. “ApolloMD understands both the challenges and the rewards of emergency medicine, and we are proud to support rising stars like Dr. Shaukat with this scholarship.”
“Beautiful side of emergency medicine”
Dr. Shaukat grew up in Queens, NY, completed his undergraduate studies at Queens College, and graduated in 2021 from The New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYIT-COM) in Old Westbury, NY. He is a third-year medical resident at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn and is currently serving as chief resident.
He compares emergency medicine to “a place where each day presents a whole new array of puzzles, where you’re always on your toes, never quite sure what the next moment will bring… We fight battles against time and disease, stitch up the wounded, soothe the worried and occasionally, we even bring people back from the brink of death.”
Dr. Shaukat also embraces what he calls the “beautiful side of emergency medicine that people often overlook — the raw, unfiltered essence of human connection. We are the first point of contact for patients at their most vulnerable moments. We hold their hands (literally and metaphorically), lend an ear, sometimes even a shoulder to cry on, and guide them through the store. We play detective, teacher, counselor, and healer all at once. We’re like a Swiss Army knife of medicine — always ready, always versatile.”
An avid weightlifter, hiker, and traveler, Dr. Shaukat’s specific areas of medical interest include sports medicine and administration.
“Every day I get to make a difference, to tip the scales in favor of life,” he says, even if the job involves grueling hours, sleepless nights, and endless cups of coffee.
“Serving humanity in the most extraordinary way possible”
“In emergency medicine, you witness the entirety of the human experience,” he explains, “from the miracle of birth to the finality of death, all within the confines of the ED. It’s a microcosm of life itself, filled with uncertainty, fear, hope, joy, loss, and triumph… Despite the grueling hours and the sleep deprivation, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
His essay-ending thoughts capture a common theme among emergency medicine specialists:
“You see, I’m not just a physician. I’m an adrenaline junkie, a problem-solver, a storyteller, a comforter, a lifesaver, and occasionally, a miracle worker. And that … is why I’m hopelessly, irrevocably in love with emergency medicine. So, here’s to more sleepless nights, countless cups of coffee, and the privilege of serving humanity in the most extraordinary way possible.”
Scholarship applicants are evaluated on the strength of their application and an assessment of their achievements, philanthropic endeavors, proven leadership skills, and involvement with accredited medical societies/organizations.
Applicants must be pursuing a career in emergency medicine, be in good standing with a US allopathic or osteopathic medical school and be participating in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).