Start Year: 2021
Basics
Hometown
Munster, IN
Where did you attend college/university?
Duke University
Where did you attend medical school?
Duke University School of Medicine
What are your career goals?
My goal is to pursue a career blending my interests in medical education and gastroenterology / hepatology.
"The relationships between faculty and house staff are driven by shared goals. In clinical settings, the shared goal is exceptional patient-care, and faculty have found a great balance in affording house staff the autonomy to develop their own clinical instincts while remaining available to offer support and guidance as needed."
-Shivy Chandramouli
Reflections on the Duke Program
What were you looking for in a residency program?
Rigorous clinical training, plentiful opportunities for career and leadership development, and most importantly, a collaborative, encouraging work culture.
What are the strengths of the Duke Program?
There is a focus on teamwork and camaraderie that starts with the residents and is ultimately anchored by program leadership, who recruit not just an academically-driven resident class, but also a community of friends who can enjoy time together outside the hospital.
What are your observations about the relationships between faculty and house staff?
The relationships between faculty and house staff are driven by shared goals. In clinical settings, the shared goal is exceptional patient-care, and faculty have found a great balance in affording house staff the autonomy to develop their own clinical instincts while remaining available to offer support and guidance as needed. In other professional settings, the shared goal is the development of the house staff, and faculty are unequivocally committed to supporting and mentoring house staff in their professional pursuits.
Tell us about your co-residents. What has helped you connect, support each other, and form friendships?
My co-residents are awesome. Just a few weeks into residency, we were connecting over everything from favorite ice cream flavors to the loved ones that came to Durham with us. The term "Duke fam" is often casually thrown around, but it really does exist, and we're always excited to grow that family.
What has surprised you most about Duke?
Having been at Duke for medical school, I enjoyed a good glimpse into the residency culture and am excited to have had my positive associations confirmed thus far. One thing that has surprised me is the ever-improving quality of the free internal medicine lunches at noon-conference everyday - yum!
About Duke University and Durham
What is the best thing about living in Durham and the Triangle?
I really enjoy the mid-size city vibes in Durham, while also being able to escape to nearby cities in Chapel Hill and Raleigh just a short drive away. The food scene is great, college basketball scene is great, and the people are great. You're also just a few hours drive away from the mountains or the beaches - just pick east or west!
How does the Triangle appeal to people of diverse backgrounds?
The Triangle that attracts people from all over the country for various reasons, namely its well-regarded academic institutions and quickly growing tech scene. This is well-represented in the diverse patient populations we see in the hospitals, but also makes it easy to enjoy various hobbies and interests in the area.
Where did you choose to live and why?
I live in a townhome neighborhood about 10 minutes from the hospital. It's close enough that the morning drive is short, but far enough such that I have a nice disconnection from work when I'm home. Many residents and other healthcare workers live in nearby townhomes, so there's a good community vibe here.
What advice would you give to someone looking to move to Durham?
There is a lot to do in Durham, but even more to do if you're willing to make short drives (~30 mins) to nearby cities and slightly longer drives (~few hours) in any given direction.
What are your interests outside of medicine?
Basketball, tennis, Netflix, board games, and snoozing alarms.