Meet Kanika Sehgal, from Chandigarh, India. She attended Government Medical College and Hospital, and is a PGY-1 in the Traditional Internal Medicine Residency Program.
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What led you to pursue a career in medicine?
Fourteen year old me would have never imagined a prefix before my name. Choosing to apply for medical school came more out of a “gut feeling.” In medical school, I was enthralled by the merging together of basic and clinical sciences and the translation into patient care. In the diagnostic odyssey of internal medicine, I found intellectual stimulation, an awakening of logic and reasoning, and a push for critical thinking. Medicine felt like an adventure I could take on, where I would find a fulfilling and gratifying experience.
What are your goals after you complete residency? Where do you see yourself?
After residency, I see myself in an academic setting. I hope to specialize further, likely in gastroenterology, performing procedures and diving further into luminal gastroenterology research. Eventually, not only do I want to be involved directly in patient care, but also want to be engaged indirectly, through clinical research including clinical trials (hopefully running my own team one day) and be an active part of education; teaching residents and medical students.
Why did you choose Yale IMed for your residency?
I had the wonderful opportunity to do two away rotations at Yale as a medical student. I was immediately drawn in by the excellent clinical training, focus on education and the eagerness everyone had to teach and to learn, but most of all the welcoming environment that Yale endorsed. Even as an international visiting medical student, I felt like an integral part of the team and every person I interacted with radiated such warmth and collegiality. I knew in a heartbeat that this program would be one I would thrive in and would love to be a part of!
Describe your experience at Yale IMed in 3 words.
Nurturing, inspiring, thriving.
What is your fondest memory at Yale thus far?
One of my fondest memories would be from the early days of orientation when our entire class had a History of Medicine dinner with the IMed faculty. Listening to their stories of the evolution of medicine at Yale, and connecting with them at dinner, truly made me feel that I was now a part of something bigger with the most inspiring people I could possibly be surrounded by.
Who has had the greatest influence on you, and why?
That question is so hard to answer because I attribute different aspects of my life to so many people. I owe my parents for always supporting my dreams and having more faith in me than I ever could. My mentor, Dr. Sahil Khanna, for believing in my potential and always pushing me out of my comfort zone. My wonderful friends in Minnesota who made my life here so comfortable and seamless.
If you could say anything to your younger self, what would you say?
I would encourage my younger self to have more faith in herself and her dreams. Life never pans out the way that you would expect it to, and I would tell her to brace the uncertainty with hope, and truly believe that only great things lie ahead.
What's a fun fact about you?
After medical school, I spent two years in Minnesota for research. Coming from a tropical country, I braced the 'Sota winter with a strong will—if I may say so myself! I have actually tried my hand at almost every outdoor winter activity there is, including ice skating, snow tubing, sledding and even ice fishing (without a cabin, 10/10 would not recommend). Just missing out on skiing!
What is one piece of advice you'd give someone who is applying for residency?
Trust the process and believe that what’s yours will find you.
The Department of Internal Medicine at Yale is among the nation's premier departments, bringing together an elite cadre of clinicians, investigators and educators in one of the world's top medical schools. To learn more, visit Internal Medicine.