From learning about STEM in high school to majoring in biology and exercise & sport science, UNC School of Medicine 4th-year student Meera Parikh gained in-depth knowledge on human anatomy, physics, and physiology during undergrad. With this experience, Meera knew pursuing a career in medicine was her next step. From Monroe, NC, she explains what she loves most about attending medical school at Carolina.
UNC School of Medicine 4th-year student Meera Parikh knew early on that a career in medicine was her chosen field of practice. She shares why she chose to be a doctor and her plans to focus on general surgery residency.
Q. What interested you the most in high school and college? Did you always want to be a doctor?
I have wanted to be a doctor for as long as I can remember. As I got older, the high school I attended for 9th and 10th grades had various “academies,” such as automotive technology, dance, engineering, teacher preparation, and theatre. I was in the medical science academy which allowed me to take specific electives in addition to my normal graduation requirements. The high school I attended for 11th and 12th grades specialized in STEM and offered such distinct courses that I would not have ever imagined having the opportunity to take otherwise. As I entered college, my high school experiences led me to major in biology and exercise & sport science and minor in education. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed my exercise & sport science major with its focus on human anatomy, physics, physiology, and their relation to sports. We utilized our own bodies to gather data for the lab courses and it was fascinating to focus on human bodies and practical applications.
Q. Why did you choose to become a doctor?
I admired my pediatrician when I was younger, and he was a big inspiration for me to pursue medicine. He was my doctor for 19 years and was an incredible role model during that time. He sparked my interest in medicine, always created a positive experience, calmed my fears, and had a level of empathy that I aspire to emulate in my future career. Neither of my parents are in healthcare, so I wasn’t very exposed to the medical field other than when I went to the doctor’s office. As a first-generation college student, I didn’t have much familiarity with the medical school process. Still, my family was always very supportive and encouraged me to pursue what I was passionate about.
Q. What is the most interesting part of medical school at Carolina?
The branch campuses! I was assigned to the Wilmington campus and I appreciated the opportunity to experience the healthcare system in a community hospital in a different part of the state. We served a significant portion of Eastern North Carolina, and I gained first-hand experience of the barriers these patients face in terms of resources and access.
Q. What do you plan to focus on after med school?
I plan on applying for general surgery residency. I carefully considered a lot of different specialties, and if you had asked me before 3rd-year rotations, I most likely would’ve said internal medicine residency. It wasn’t until a phenomenal experience on my surgery rotation that I seriously began to consider it as my future career. As I continued my 3rd-year rotations, it was the specialty I kept coming back to, and I knew I had to pursue it.
Q. What is your career goal?
First and foremost, I want to be the best surgeon I can be for my patients. I love getting involved with my community and hope to continue this in the future through volunteering and participating in local events. Regardless of where I end up for residency, North Carolina is home and is where I have completed all of my education and training to this date, and I would love to return here in my future career to serve my community.