My grandfather was a deeply passionate physician who cared for older adults in our community. He often provided free care to those who couldn’t afford it, and witnessing his selflessness left a lasting impact on me. That early influence, combined with my training in public health, shaped my commitment to supporting older adults—both through direct patient care and broader population-level approaches. I was drawn to medicine as a way to bridge clinical practice with efforts to improve aging and health equity.
In Depth
Fellow Focus in Four: Meghana Rajashekara Swamy, Geriatrics
Meet clinical fellow Meghana Rajashekara Swamy, MD, MPH, who is studying the relationship between hearing and cognition.
Why did you decide to pursue a career in medicine?
Why did you choose the Yale Department of Internal Medicine for your fellowship?
I chose Yale based on enthusiastic recommendations from mentors and the strong impression I had during my interview day. Beyond its clinical excellence, Yale Geriatrics offers an in-house T32 program, which is a key factor as I explore academic career pathways. The faculty are incredibly kind and encouraging, and the department went out of its way to support a tailored training plan that aligned my clinical fellowship with research opportunities in a way that fits my long-term goals.
Tell us about your research or career goals.
My current research explores how hearing loss and hearing aid use affect cognitive outcomes in older adults. I’m interested in whether improving hearing can support cognitive function—and whether this, in turn, could help reduce the burden of dementia. While I’m still determining the extent of my future involvement in research, I know I want to remain in academic medicine and continue working at the intersection of clinical care and public health for older adults.
What’s a fun fact about you?
Outside of work, I’m an English saddle equestrian and ride dressage at a local academy. Riding has been a long-standing passion, and I’m grateful to pursue it alongside my medical and academic interests. I also love thrifting, discovering local shops, and traveling to national parks whenever I can.
Geriatrics, one of 10 sections in the Yale Department of Internal Medicine, strives to improve the health of older adults by providing exceptional patient care, training future leaders and innovators in aging, and engaging in cutting-edge research. To learn more, visit Geriatrics.
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