Sirikanya (Sanya) Chiraroekmongkon, MD

Sanya was born and raised in Bangkok,Thailand and moved to Pensacola, Florida at the age of 10. She finds her small family (single mother and older brother) and Thai/Chinese culture/heritage of the utmost importance to her. She attended University of Florida for undergraduate and University of Central Florida for medical school. She participated in ROTC military training program in high school and undergraduate and attributes much of her discipline and love/understanding of different American norms and values to this formative experience. She spent one year (prior to medical school) studying Mandarin in Shanghai, China and this(also) formative experience opened her eyes to the international community emphasizing diverse perspectives, cultures, and traditions. During medical school, she was awarded both peer-elected awards including Student Choice Award ("the person you would most want to care for your family members") and Osler Award ("demonstrated the most perseverance and has overcome obstacles to succeed"). She also obtained UCF’s highest award, the Order of Pegasus. At Yale, she continues her interest in Global Mental Health and Health Equity, always striving to give voice for those who are oppressed, and is currently writing a memoir.