When Dr. Priya Garigipati started medical school, she did not consider radiology top of mind as a specialty. But after rotating through radiology specialties, she was amazed by the breadth of knowledge and dedication to teaching that she witnessed. She wanted to be just like her mentors one day, and now she will be.

Priya Garigipati, M.D.

What this award means: I distinctly remember thinking how difficult radiology was when I was tasked with dictating reports on my pediatric radiology rotation and how little I knew even after four years. However, I continued to immerse myself within the field and am fortunate to have mentors who supported me along the way, especially in a field with few women historically. It’s such an honor to be recognized for this award, as it shows the trust my mentors have in me succeeding within radiology.

Mentor comment: Priya stands out for her excellent academic work, her long history of community service, and for her leadership within Radiology, consistently making time for mentoring junior medical students and increasing interest in our specialty. – Kristen Bishop, M.D., Associate Professor of Radiology 

Background and family: I grew up as an only child in Plano, Texas, of Indian immigrant parents, and I am the first doctor in the family.

What led to your career path: I’ve been interested in a little bit of everything since college; I even switched my major six times. That curiosity about how things work and wanting to learn about various topics continued throughout medical school. During my clerkships, I enjoyed every rotation – from surgery to psychiatry to internal medicine – and knew that whatever specialty I chose, I wanted a breadth of pathology. I also wanted to find ways to incorporate my interests in education, mentorship, and global health into my career. Coming from a family of engineers, the intersection of medicine and technology always fascinated me, and radiology offered me the perfect avenue to invest in these interests.  

College: I attended Northwestern University, majoring in biology with a minor in global health. After college, I worked as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) in Taiwan and also as a community health fellow in rural Alabama at a nonprofit called Project Horseshoe Farm.

UTSW activities: I was involved in United to Serve and the Student Simulation Interest Group, worked as an anatomy TA, and served as a free clinic manager and as co-President of the Interventional Radiology Interest Group. I also helped organize Step Up to Integrated Medicine case-based learning sessions with Alpha Omega Alpha.

Surprising fact: I enjoy country music.

Ultimate career goal: I want to be known to my patients as a doctor who cares about them as people and strives to provide them and their families with the best care. I hope to continue keeping my skills sharp and learning from anyone who is willing to teach me.

Future plans: I will be finishing my intern year at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center and moving on to my diagnostic radiology residency at UCSF! Currently, I’m still undecided about a fellowship but potentially considering interventional radiology.

About the award: The award is bestowed on a graduating medical student who has declared an intention to pursue a career in radiology and has excelled in studies.