Like her parents, Gauri Kaushal wants to be a physician
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Gauri Kaushal ’20
Program: Six-year B.A./M.D.
School: School of Medicine
Hometown: Mount Vernon, Illinois
Why did you choose UMKC? Was it the six-year B.A./M.D. program?
Yes. My goal was to become a physician. A friend from a neighboring town had graduated from the program. She just praised it. She’s now in residency in Indiana in family medicine. She’s the chief resident, actually.
How has college inspired you?
UMKC is a very diverse university. I have met people from all walks of life. Meeting people like that has inspired me to work harder, be more appreciative and become a role model for those younger than me.
I also appreciate the availability of resources and people to help you and support you at UMKC. It motivates me and never makes me feel alone. I always feel like I have someone or something to reach out to when I need help.
Do you know what kind of medicine you’d like to practice?
I’m biased toward primary care. My mom’s a pediatrician; my dad’s internal medicine. I really like that. I like pediatrics, and I like emergency medicine.
Did you consider another career besides medicine?
No. Growing up I always knew my niche was there. I grew up working with my mom, working with my dad. I knew my heart was set there, and I never thought otherwise.
I want to become a physician. I want to have a family. I want to be able to balance family life as a practicing physician. I would like to work with my parents — that would be great.
What is it about working with your parents that would be appealing to you?
My parents are my best friends. They know me better than anyone else. They’re also very established there. We grew up in a very small town where everyone knows everyone. People saw me grow up. They know what background I come from, what kind of person I am. They know that they would feel comfortable in my hands. It’s already very hard to trust a physician. Knowing that they could come to me because they trust me and they know how I’ve grown up, I think that would make me feel satisfied and the community feel satisfied.
What excites you?
Helping people and seeing that I can use my talent and my passion to help other people. That’s very rewarding. I’ve always felt like I should use what I’m good at to help other people. That itself is very rewarding.
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