More children in developed countries are becoming overweight. This is a serious problem for wealthy countries. What are the most serious problems associated with obesity and what solutions can you suggest?

“You are what you eat” -My parents would warn me during my growing up years as a picky eater who would often end up choosing unhealthy diets.

However

, it took my journey through medical school and residency to properly help me comprehend the importance of that small phrase. Growing up in India, a country with nearly a billion population and an enormous healthcare burden, I witnessed that gastrointestinal diseases comprised a major percentage of illnesses affecting not only my family and friends but

also

many of my

patients

- from every day seemingly simple yet troubling afflictions

such

as reflux diseases,

diarrhea

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diarrhoea

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, and constipation to complex ailments like ulcerative colitis, hepatitis, and

GI

cancers. It helped me realize that gastrointestinal health is a core component of overall general physical health with significant effects on mental, emotional, and quality of life. During my residency in the United States and currently as a hospitalist, I continued to witness the plight of sufferers of gastrointestinal diseases. Of these,

GI

bleed takes the lead. A Significant population of

patients

suffering from cardiovascular disease is now being treated with antiplatelet and anticoagulants. An unfortunate accompaniment is risky life-threatening

GI

bleeds.

Such

cases present a great therapeutic dilemma for both gastroenterologists and cardiologists. Participating in the

care

of

such

patients

was an eye-opener and an inspiration to pursue a fellowship in Gastroenterology.

This

was

also

the motivation to participate in a study on the tolerability of Apixaban in

patients

and

subsequently

had an opportunity to present at The American Heart Association conference in Los Angeles, CA. I have

also

conducted research studies in the field of immunotherapy and have published these in prominent journals like Clinical Lymphoma Myeloma and Leukemia, Blood etc.

This

knowledge has helped me with a basic understanding of immunotherapy and how it has revolutionized treatment strategies. I am particularly interested in carrying out

further

research studies regarding immunotherapy in inflammatory bowel disease. Recently I was fortunate enough to secure a place as a research assistant at Arizona State University bio-design institute, where I will be working on HLA mapping for the Native American population and whether specific HLA subtypes are associated with poorer prognosis for COVID. It will be an honour and privilege for me to be part of your exceptional

GI

team. I believe as Thomas A Edison said “Three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are,

first

, hard work;

second

, stick-to-itiveness;

third

, common sense.

This

has sculpted my personality as a strong patient

care

advocate. Combating a pandemic as a front-line worker in a COVID hospital along with additional maternal responsibilities to a

new-born

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newborn

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and a 5-year-old daughter has made me more determined. Through the above tasks, I have become proficient in the art of multi-tasking, teamwork, and organization. I have learned to be calmer and more composed in trying situations and always find a solution even in the face of seemingly impossible challenges. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent, and I will go any stretch to ensure my

patients

are receiving the best

care

possible not only both in standards of

care

but

also

individualized to their case. Thank you so much for considering me as a prospective candidate.