Dr. Avni Shah’s first influence to go into medicine was her mother, a pharmacist. Then in college, she shadowed an anesthesiologist and became fascinated with the skill of the physician and the complex human physiology involved. She appreciated how the physician made patients feel safe and comfortable before surgery and now wants to do the same.

Avni Shah, M.D.

What this award means: I fell in love with anesthesiology very early in medical school and am so grateful to the UT Southwestern Anesthesiology and Pain Management Department for the excellent mentorship, guidance, and education they have provided me over the years.

Mentor comment: One of Dr. Pepper Jenkins’ mantras was: “Put the patients first; teach when you can, and research with whatever is left.” Avni embodies this perfectly. She is a caring clinician, motivated mentor, and critical thinker. We wish her well, knowing her future is very bright!– Amy Powers Woods, M.D., Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Pain Management 

Background and family: My parents are the most hardworking people I know and my biggest supporters. I have a younger brother who is a senior in high school and is heading to college next year to study artificial intelligence and computer science. My significant other is in medical school as well and is pursuing general surgery.

What led to your career path: I had an early interest in the medical field from watching my mom work as a pharmacist. After exploring many facets of the medical field through shadowing and volunteering, I realized I wanted to become a physician. As an undergraduate at UT Dallas, I worked on research in cardiac anesthesiology with Ravi Joshi, M.D., Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Pain Management and one of my wonderful mentors. I was fascinated by the complex principles of human physiology at play and in awe of the incredible skill of the anesthesiologists I shadowed. I especially appreciated how they were able to make their patients feel safe and comfortable before surgery, which might be the scariest moment of their lives. In medical school, I became a co-President of our Anesthesiology Interest Group and took several anesthesiology rotations, which only grew my love for the field.

College: I was part of a B.A./M.D. program at UT Dallas. I majored in biology with a minor in economics and graduated summa cum laude. My favorite part of my undergrad experience was joining a competitive raas-garba dance team, Taraas, and placing second at nationals!

UTSW activities: I have been involved with ASIG, our Anesthesiology Student Interest Group, SPARC, a patient advocacy organization, and AMWA, UT Southwestern’s chapter of the American Medical Women’s Association.

Surprising fact: I love sampling fragrances and have a perfume collection!

Ultimate career goal: My ultimate goal is to provide excellent patient care and to become a leader in anesthesiology education.

Future plans: After residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, I hope to pursue fellowship training. I’m interested in either cardiothoracic or regional anesthesiology but am keeping an open mind. Afterward, I hope to work in an academic center teaching medical students and residents.

About the award: The award recognizes students seeking careers in anesthesiology who excelled at UTSW Medical School, take an empathetic approach to patient care, and exhibit the characteristics of leadership, scholarship, and thirst for knowledge exemplified by the late Dr. Jenkins, who established and served as Chairman of the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management from 1948 to 1981.