Dr. Shubhangi Mehra’s interest in medicine began as a child when she witnessed a need to care for underserved patients at vulnerable moments. She chose to pursue a career in obstetrics and gynecology, determined to become a women’s health advocate and dig deep into preventive medicine opportunities to improve patient outcomes.

Shubhangi Mehra, M.D.

What this award means: I am honored receive this award, and I hope to carry forward the values that Dr. Ahmed exemplified as a clinician and community member.

Mentor comment: Shubhangi embodies all the characteristics that a patient would want in an Ob/Gyn. She’s compassionate, thorough, and dedicated. Shubhangi strives to provide quality care, serve the underserved, and address health care system disparities. Her enthusiasm toward the specialty and women’s health is inspiring. – Alicia Kiszka, M.D., Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Background and family: I was born in Gujarat, India, lived in Kuwait as a young child, and ultimately moved to Buffalo, New York, where I spent most of my formative years. I am the first in my family to attend medical school. As immigrants, my parents led by example with their resilience and compassion. As a physician, I want to emulate these qualities.

What led to your career path: I was initially interested in medicine due to my own family’s interactions with the health care system, which made me want to care for patients in their most vulnerable moments. On my Ob/Gyn rotation, I saw the opportunity to do this for my patients while advocating for them on an individual level and community level. This field truly allows me to combine my interests in preventive health care, addressing health inequities, and working with issues pertinent to women’s health.

College: I was a biochemistry and cell biology major at Rice University. I participated in pediatric neurology research related to Angelman syndrome, as well as immunology/oncology research involving the creation of virus-specific T cells to treat cervical cancer. What was equally impactful to me was my work through the Center for Civic Leadership, where I learned about the socioeconomic challenges and health inequities affecting Houston residents. Through this effort, I completed a project to improve health care screening, studying barriers to participation.

UTSW activities: As an Albert Schweitzer Fellow, I implemented a preventive health care curriculum for students at a local early childhood elementary school, Lumin Education. During my first summer of medical school, I also had the privilege of serving as a medical staff member at Camp Sweeney, a camp for kids with Type 1 diabetes. After realizing my interest in obstetrics and gynecology, I further honed it through research into abnormal uterine bleeding and substance use screening in pregnancy.

Surprising fact: I have been doing Bollywood dance and a form of Indian classical dance, Bharatanatyam, since a young age. In college, I was part of a classical dance team and participated in different competitions across the country, raising money for local causes such as Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.

Future plans: I am excited to start my training as an obstetrician and gynecologist. I plan to practice as a general Ob/Gyn career after graduation, although I am also considering a maternal-fetal medicine fellowship.

About the award: The award honors Dr. Ahmed, an Obstetrics and Gynecology faculty member who died of breast cancer at age 39. The recipient demonstrates exemplary women’s health care and epitomizes the clinician that Dr. Ahmed was – caring, intelligent, and involved in her community.