Dr. Reshma Rajendran, MBBS, MPH
Dr. Reshma Rajendran, MBBS, MPH

Public Health Diaries - Dr. Reshma Rajendran

From clinical medicine to community impact, Dr. Reshma Rajendran bridges global health, mental well-being, and nutrition to shape a healthier future for all.
Published on

Name: Dr. Reshma Rajendran

Educational Qualification: MBBS, Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bangalore, India (2017-22)

Master of Public Health in Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, U.S.A (Admission Year - June 2023)

Certificate in Health Policy and Practice (September 2023 - May 2025)

Q

Current Position:

A

HRTP (Healthcare Regulatory Training Programme) Intern.

It is a public health internship program at the NYC Health Department.

Q

Where are you working currently?

A

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Q

What are your areas of interest within your profession? 

A

Mental Health, Health Policy, Global Health, Disease prevention and control.

Q

What made you choose public health research as a profession?

A

I aspire to ensure that care is provided to all those who are disproportionately affected. Doing research that will influence global health policies is something I consider helpful in providing them justice and well-deserved rights. On that account, I see myself working for healthcare as opposed to in healthcare.

Q

Any 3 topics/subjects that you like the most

A

Mental health, global health, health policy.

Q

Any 3 topics/subjects that you dislike/ detest the most: 

A

One-size-fits-all approaches, Systemic barriers, Misaligned impact of research.

Q

What are your career goals or expectations? 

A

I hope to start out as an infectious disease analyst or policy analyst. And in the long term, I would like to be a public health leader in an international organization which is something I have invariably envisaged.

Q

What would you be doing if not for the current profession?

A

I would be pursuing residency in internal medicine or psychiatry.

Q

What do you like to do in your leisure time?

A

I enjoy trying new restaurants, travelling, reading and writing.

Q

Who do you idolize and why?

A

Dr. Vivek Murthy, the current U.S. Surgeon General is my inspiration. He was the guest speaker for my MPH graduation commencement ceremony recently and hearing his story really resonated with me. I appreciate his outlook and approach to public health. One quote of his I really like is “Being kind makes us happier, reduces our stress, and helps us connect with others-and that's what makes us stronger, not weaker.”

Q

Kindly mention your Publication(s), if any:

A

Co-author, Probiotics in Allergy and Immunological Diseases: A Comprehensive Review Cureus 16(3): e55817. doi:10.7759/cureus.55817 Co-author, World Through a Stethoscope, Contributed to this anthology by physicians and medical students.

Q

Kindly mention your achievements or awards:

A

Winner - AMSACON 2020 National Room of Riddles Competition (won medical knowledge competition among 150 competitors)

Winner - AMSA Inquest National Treasure Hunt (won medical knowledge quiz)

Runner-up - AMSA Dix Domanda National Medical Quiz

Runner -up - E-poster competition organized by Vydehi AMC and the Department of Pharmacology on account of National Pharmacovigilance Week.

Semi-finalist- Elsevier organized ClinicalKey Student National Challenge 2020

Q

What is nutritional deficiency?

A

Nutritional deficiency occurs when one or more nutrients are at a below optimal level in the human body.

Q

How one can know he/she is nutritional deficient?  Are there any specific tests to check?

A

There may be some visible signs and symptoms that can be confirmed on examination and with blood tests.

Q

How can one overcome this?

A

This can be overcome by taking the necessary treatment and incorporating some lifestyle changes.

Q

How can you prevent yourself from nutrition deficiency in the first place? Do you need supplementation or simple home meal is sufficient?

A

This can be prevented by taking healthy, well-balanced meals which can be sufficient in the form of simple home meals.

Q

What are some of the topics in public health and nutrition topics about which you are most Passionate about?

A

I’m passionate about Mental health and iron deficiency.

Q

Please provide us with advice on how to eat healthy and balanced meals on a tight schedule.

A

Meal prepping is a game changer when it comes to prioritising eating healthy and balanced meals.

Q

In which areas of public health do you have the most expertise? If you can tell us about it briefly.

A

I have strong experience in mental health through both leadership and public sector roles. I served as Project Head of Project Muskurahat under the Asian Medical Students’ Association, leading events like EmoAid to support student emotional well-being and organizing HPV awareness drives. I also led the Mental Health & Wellness Team at Students Against COVID, managing over 50 members across 3 committees. Currently, I work at the Bureau of Mental Health at the NYC Department of Health, supporting mental health initiatives at the city level.

Q

How do you feel about the fact that people nowadays are less inclined to eating their traditional Indian dishes and more inclined to eat junk food?

A

A combination of curiosity, addiction and convenience has contributed to its rise.

Q

Please list some readable websites or publications or anything that you use to keep up with the most recent research in your profession.

A

PubMed, International journals and topics in news articles.

Q

What change would you like to bring about in the Health or Nutrition sector?

A

I would like to highlight how hidden calories have a role to play.

Q

And finally, what message would you like to give to today's youth?

A

Believe in tomorrow but remember that your voice and actions matter even today.

Dr. Reshma Rajendran, MBBS, MPH
Hidden Polio in Healthy Kids: What It Means for Public Health
logo
Medbound
www.medboundtimes.com