Ashritha Vanakuri, MD

Hi. My name is Dr. Hussein Sheleh. I graduated from New East University faculty of Medicine in the island of Cyprus in the Mediterranean.

Hello. I'm Ashritha Vanakuri. I'm from India at the University of Medical Sciences in India. I saw my aunt. It was the first physician in my family. So seeing her, I was always fascinated with the field. I was also influenced by my grandfather. He basically used to say, you can be anything in the world, but why not be a doctor? So that was his philosophy.

And I think I was, molded by him. And I'm glad I was because I cannot see myself doing anything else. When I first got this interview, I wasn't really sure what to expect. But once I interviewed with the faculty members and once I got to know more about the hospital, I was so impressed. And all the faculty were so inviting and warm and receptive to us. And being here, the first few days of experience, I can see how excited they are to have us. And, it also makes us excited to be here. And knowing the history of the place, its unique needs, and how we'll be playing a pivotal role here as physicians, I'm so glad I had this opportunity and the choice to be here.

Right off the bat, we were told very clearly that this is the inaugural program. We are going to be part of the changes. And it also makes it easier to be here because we're able to know that they're very approachable. That has made the whole journey very easy and frankly very, I think, fulfilling to me. I love the field of internal medicine, and and I love that it has so much variety and able to do a little bit of everything. And, yes, that part of it makes sense. I've had a different experience in India and different experience here in The United States. And being here, I've seen how, we have patents for patient autonomy, how we advocate for patients, and how sometimes physicians themselves have to be advocates for patients, and how we're always learning, sometimes speaking to the patients themselves.

That has been an interesting experience, so far for me. Medical School residency is a long journey and not easy to not be out hurdles. I think for me, from my experience, what's been very, urgent is the support of my family and of my peers. I don't think I would have been able to do it, without that aspect and that support. What drew to me was just pure love for it. And I would just advise that if you feel like this is the thing for you, go for it. It. Our jobs as physicians or any healthcare providers comes in built with a sense of purpose and a sense of meaning.

You don't have to go anywhere else to find it. So if that part makes sense and if you're okay with the long journey, just go for it.