What drew you to the field of medicine?

I was first exposed to medicine as a toddler when I lived in India with my grandparents. Here, my grandfather runs a medical clinic in the rural town of Nalgonda. I loved the feeling of being my grandpa’s little assistant, often fetching the medications he prescribed patients from the nearby pharmacy. I think this is why I cannot recall the exact moment when I decided to be a doctor; it was ingrained in me since I was three years old, and I can never remember wanting to be in another profession.

Since then, I’ve placed myself in environments that fueled my humanitarian pursuit of medicine, such as my interactions as a peer mentor who aided the education of students with Autism and helped to familiarize them with social experiences. As a volunteer at Emory Hospital and a nursing center, my love for medicine grew even further. I stopped seeing patients as humans clinging to life but rather as resilient individuals sharing unique stories and heartfelt moments. These experiences have fostered my deep desire to become a physician who can have a tremendous impact on both the physical and emotional well-being of patients.

What are your plans after attending medical school?

After my time at USC, I hope to become a surgeon who specializes in cardiology, a passion ignited during my time shadowing a cardiovascular surgeon. I also wish to continue my academic pursuit of medicine by partaking in research initiatives on topics relating to Autism, Alzheimer’s disease, and cardiology. However, my goals remain flexible as I am excited to embark on a journey over these next seven years to explore new areas of interest and specialties that resonate with my evolving passions and experiences in the medical field. Ultimately, I aspire to become a well-rounded physician who excels in clinical practice while contributing to the advancement of medical knowledge.