I didn't mention Paul Farmer in my personal statement, but he did come up when several interviewers asked about people I'd like to meet or books that I had read recently (I read three of Farmer's works and not just MBM). If I had been more prepared for my first interview, I probably would have said someone a little less cliché for a person I'd like to meet, but all in all, I was accepted at the schools where I mentioned Paul Farmer. (Oh, and if you bring him up at Penn State, take note that Paul Farmer's brother was a professional wrestler - this was the only question during my interview season that completely stumped me!)