A Journey to Urology - Dr. Odinachi Moghalu Schulle's Story

Are you passionate about Urology or any other competitive specialty? Are you are wondering if you have what it takes to match successfully? It may take more than one try, but Dr. Odinachi Moghalu Schulle is here to tell you to never give up on your dream. Keep reading to find out more about her uniquely inspiring journey!

Originally based in Texas, Dr. Schulle developed a passion for Urology during her third year of medical school. However, due to her student visa limitations, she was unable to take time off to do research in that field. When the match season came around during her fourth year, she applied to every single Urology program in the United States and received only one interview. Unfortunately, she did not match at that time, but she did not let that stop or discourage her.

She ended up landing a general surgery (GS) position, hoping that she would become more passionate about at least one aspect of that field, which did not end up being the reality. As such, she decided to take an unpaid research position across the country in Salt Lake City, Utah. At the same time, she was also planning her traditional wedding, organizing her church wedding, completing a research boot camp, all while taking the final board exams for licensing!

On arrival in Utah, Dr. Schulle had no Urology publications, but then vowed to work as hard as she needed to prove herself in the field. Instead of participating in the 2019-2020 application cycle, she chose to wait it out and improve her application package. She consulted with mentors, did her research and ensured that her application was as competitive as possible.

When the following application cycle came along, she got waitlisted at seven programs but received an interview at her top choice of programs. Coincidentally, she had previously served at this institution where she received a ton of great feedback and two letters of recommendation. Due to these factors, she was hopeful that since the program knew her and her work ethic, she would have a high chance of matching. To her dismay, she also did not match there.

Devastated, Dr. Schulle came to terms with what seemed like one too many rejections. While she wanted to celebrate with her colleagues and friends who had successfully matched, she couldn’t help but feeling that her dream of matching into Urology was slipping further and further from reach. Regardless, she thanked God for her unwavering support system of excellent friends and family that consoled her and inspired her to keep going.

Thankfully, Dr. Schulle’s luck would soon turn around. In her own words, “As God would have it, a month later, I matched into a prelim PGY-2 GS position at George Washington University, DC. I was so happy.”

Dr. Schulle had surrendered her career to God and His will had led her to this position. She passionately states, “First and foremost, I am a child of God. I am here to take His name to the ends of the earth. I signed my offer letter to GWU, I was certain that whatever God calls me to do, I will find joy and fulfillment in serving Him. I also knew that He instilled this passion for Urology in me, so He alone can either take it away or open the door for me in His time.”

In order to take on this position, Dr. Schulle made DC her home for the next year while she prepared to go into the match again in search of a categorical position.

Shortly thereafter, Dr. Schulle received a message request on Twitter from a person she didn’t know, informing her of an opening for a PGY-2 Urology position. After having prayed and consulted with her parents and mentors, she applied to the program.

That day, she applied at 9am, attended interviews from 1:00pm to 4:00pm and received a call with an offer at 7:00pm! Before long, she was able to officially sign her contract for a PGY-2 categorical position in Texas.

She was going home!

Overcome with joy and relief, Dr. Schulle thanked God for His guidance, and then thanked her support system for being there with her through it all.

As Dr. Schulle happily recounted, “God showed up and HE SHOWED out! All these years I’ve been hustling for Urology and hustling to be back in Texas. Little did I know that God has a better plan for me.”

She is excited to start this journey and to finally be in a place she can call home for at least the next 5 years.

Here are two lessons she has learnt through the process that she hopes to share: