With her physician mother as a role model, Dr. Aishwarya Iyer felt inspired to follow in her footsteps. Her own values tied to social justice and viewing patients holistically led her to the specialty of family medicine, where she wants to help people navigate the health complexities of their lives.

Aishwarya Iyer, M.D., M.P.H.

What this award means: I feel deeply honored to be recognized with this award. The way that the people in our Family and Community Medicine Department nurtured and supported me was so integral to my personal and professional growth as a medical student. I found a home and a sense of belonging here.

Mentor comment: Aishwarya has always been hardworking and has shown a passion for working with the underserved. She recently received the Distinction in Community Health and also completed the Community Action Research Track (CART) program during her time here at UT Southwestern. She will do well as a family medicine physician and will be a caring doctor. – Cathy Day, CART Program Coordinator, Department of Family and Community Medicine 

Background and family: I was born in India, and my parents and I moved to the United States when I was 4. I grew up in many different places – California, Illinois, and Massachusetts – before ultimately settling in Texas. That upbringing not only broadened my worldview but also helped me recognize the growth that comes from experiencing different ways of living and the value in appreciating the richness of cultures beyond my own.

What led to your career path: My mom was the first physician in our family, and her dedication to her patients inspired me. I felt my personal values aligned most with those of family medicine. Social justice is embedded in the philosophy of this specialty, and it trains you to see your patients holistically in the context of the systemic factors that influence their ability to be well. Also, forming an alliance with my patients to help them meet their goals and support them through whatever they’re navigating in their lives is important to me.

College: I majored in biology at UT Dallas. I was a peer health educator in our Student Wellness Center and a peer-led team-learning tutor for students in General Chemistry I and II, which sparked my interest in mentorship. I was also President of the Intersectional Feminist Alliance.

UTSW activities: Between my third and fourth years of medical school, I graduated with a Master of Public Health degree from Emory University. One of the activities that’s brought me the most joy is being in the Lymph Notes, our campus a cappella group! I also performed in The Vagina Monologues, which was so fun. I’ve been involved with Medical Students for Choice and served in leadership roles for the Healthy Living and Medical Humanities Interest Group as a pre-clerkship student.

Surprising fact: I’m a huge sci-fi nerd. My mom and I both grew up on Star Trek.

Ultimate career goal: My ultimate goal is to make my patients feel seen, heard, and respected every day, and to work to transform the system to make it better.

Future plans: Research, advocacy, and mentorship bring me joy, and I hope to harness the skills I learned during my public health years to make these a central part of my work in addition to providing patient care. My immediate next step is the University of Washington Family Medicine Residency Program.

About the award: Named after the Chair of Family and Community Medicine at UT Southwestern from 1984 to 1993, the Ross Award includes a $1,000 scholarship from the Dallas Chapter of the Texas Academy of Family Physicians Foundation.