Can I use a family member's real name in my PS?

[iwanttobedoctorpls]

I know that we shouldn't use patients' real names in our essays, but my PS is centered around my cousin who had cancer. They read it and gave me permission to use their name and story, so can I refer to them by their real name in my PS or how would I go about that?

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[GoSpursGo]

My Main thought is why it matters to use the real name when you could just as easily say “my cousin?”

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Was your cousin a patient of yours? If so, then you did the right thing.

Your cousin gave you permission, so there's no HIPAA issue.

I agree, why can't you just say "my cousin" or abbreviate the name?

Just make sure you keep a spotlight on YOUR journey in medicine, not others.

 

[iwanttobedoctorpls]

Was your cousin a patient of yours? If so, then you did the right thing.

Your cousin gave you permission, so there's no HIPAA issue.

I agree, why can't you just say "my cousin" or abbreviate the name?

Just make sure you keep a spotlight on YOUR journey in medicine, not others.

My Main thought is why it matters to use the real name when you could just as easily say “my cousin?”

using his real name made it more personal to me, but I will take your advice and replace it with "my cousin"

 

[Mr.Smile12]

using his real name made it more personal to me, but I will take your advice and replace it with "my cousin"

A follow-up: should you get invited to interview and someone asks you about your cousin that you wrote about, you can name-drop then (and mention it was okay to do so).

 

[iwanttobedoctorpls]

A follow-up: should you get invited to interview and someone asks you about your cousin that you wrote about, you can name-drop then (and mention it was okay to do so).

Thank you, will keep that in mind!

 

[Rachapkis]

As suggested above, I would simply refer to your cousin, rather than using your cousin's name. That way it will be clear that you are sensitive to privacy issues. Of course, you could use your cousin's real name and add a paranthetical explaining that you received their permission to do so, but that wouldn't add anything to your essay and would waste valuable space that you could otherwise use to sell yourself.