One of life’s biggest transitions for those aspiring to become physicians is the leap from pre-medical dreams to the reality of medical school. This month’s student spotlight, Akul Gupta, OMS I, is currently navigating this pivotal shift and learning not only the science of medicine but also what it takes to grow into the role of a future physician.
While earning a Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Public Service and Leadership from the Judy Genshaft Honors College at the University of South Florida, Akul discovered his passion for vascular surgery. During this time, he shadowed a vascular surgeon specializing in custom stents for abdominal aortic aneurysms. Inspired by this specialty’s ability to personalize care for patients with complex comorbidities and the opportunity of surgical continuity, Akul began the long journey toward becoming a vascular surgeon.
He completed his degree in an accelerated three-year timeline, creating the opportunity to pursue hands-on experiences that further shaped his journey toward medicine. During this period, he earned his EMT license as well as completed internships at the United States House of Representatives and with Physicians for Human Rights.
Ultimately, Akul aspires to work as a vascular surgeon in a university-affiliated safety-net hospital to provide care to underserved patients while meaningfully contributing to the evolving field of vascular surgery through advancement research.
He is continuing to advance toward his long-term goal of specializing in vascular surgery at A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-SOMA). At ATSU-SOMA, Akul has demonstrated exceptional initiative by embracing numerous leadership opportunities and contributing significantly to his community as a first-year student.
With his medical school, Akul currently serves as the Founder and President of the Refugee Health Club. Through partnerships with Valleywise Health and other organizations, the club is conducting research such as evaluating the impact of community-based home visitation programs on maternal and child health outcomes among refugee populations. In addition to its research efforts, the club is building interdisciplinary collaborations with the dental school and creating volunteer opportunities at community health centers in Phoenix so that medical students can be directly involved in the care of refugee patients. For Akul, this work is one of the most meaningful parts of his journey, allowing him to continue his passion for global health while making a tangible impact on underserved communities. Additionally, he serves as the First Year Liaison for the Ultrasound Interest Group Club and the Vice President for the SGA Executive Board at ATSU-SOMA.
Outside of medical school, Akul is a Copello Health Advocacy Fellow at Doctors for America, a research lead for Harm Reduction Reach, a member of the American Medical Association (AMA) Medical Student Section Committee on Public Health and one of the A.T. Still Delegates on the Arizona Medical Association (ArMA) Medical Student Governing Council.
Akul encourages incoming medical students to remember that everyone’s path looks different and that second-guessing yourself along the way is normal. By pursuing your interests, staying true to your goals and embracing each step, you can navigate the transition into medicine with confidence and purpose.