Dr. Sheena Pillai’s family has a long history with the Southwestern Medical District. Her father has worked at Parkland Hospital, where she was born, for over 20 years. Bringing that legacy back full circle, Dr. Pillai is recognized for her excellence in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) work on campus.

Dr. Sheena Pillai

What this award means: I have had the opportunity to work with Dr. Kowalske during my PM&R rotations. She is incredibly efficient, knowledgeable, and she sincerely cares for her patients. If this award is to distinguish students with the potential to be a physician who is anything like Dr. Kowalske, then I am extremely honored. I hope that I can live up to that potential.

Mentor comment: Sheena has always been exemplary. She is a true humanitarian, and it is clear that she cares deeply for her patients and the field of PM&R. Sheena is always ready to go the extra mile and has been very helpful in advising younger classmates about PM&R. – Dr. Kelly Scott, Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Background and family: I grew up in the small town of Sunnyvale, Texas. My father works at Parkland Hospital as a lab supervisor, and my mother is a respiratory therapist. My father always saw the UTSW students in their white lab coats when he took his lunch break, and he hoped that one day his own child would go to this school. I was incredibly grateful for the opportunity to fulfill his dream.

What led to your career path: I always knew I wanted to pursue a career in the health care field and initially considered nursing. My parents immigrated to this country with very little. They motivated me to make the most of my education and to see how far it could take me. During medical school, I knew I made the right choice. I had the privilege to help guide patients during their most difficult times and to practically use my knowledge. In PM&R I appreciated the team-based approach to patient care and how treatment was individualized to each patient. What ultimately made me choose PM&R was the focus on returning patients back to their lives in the community.

College: I graduated magna cum laude from UT Dallas with a B.S. in biology. While at UTD, I was a member of Phi Kappa Phi, received the UTD Academic Excellence Scholarship, and graduated from the Collegium V Honors Program. I also completed a semester abroad in Hong Kong and served as a chemistry tutor, biology lab teaching assistant, Learn to Be tutor, Kerala Hindu Society Youth Coordinator, and member of the Bollywood dance team and Alpha Epsilon Delta.

UTSW activities: I was involved with United to Serve (Coordinator), the Psychiatry Interest Group (President), STARS Symposium for female students interested in STEM fields, and the Gold Humanism Honor Society.

Future plans: I hope to complete my residency at Stanford University Programs and take part in medical education.

Surprising fact: I completed 12 years of Bharatanatyam training, a classical Indian dance form, and performed my arangetram (dance debut/graduation).

About the award: Started in 2011, the award is named in honor of past Department Chair Dr. Karen Kowalske, now a Professor of PM&R who holds the Charles and Peggy Galvin Professorship in Physical Medicine. The award, which includes a plaque and a $250 gift certificate, recognizes a medical student who demonstrates empathy, compassion, maturity, and inquisitiveness.