Public Health Diaries - Dr. Reshma Rajendran
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)
Current Position:
HRTP (Healthcare Regulatory Training Programme) Intern.
It is a public health internship program at the NYC Health Department.
Where are you working currently?
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
What are your areas of interest within your profession?
Mental Health, Health Policy, Global Health, Disease prevention and control.
What made you choose public health research as a profession?
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.
Any 3 topics/subjects that you like the most
Mental health, global health, health policy.
Any 3 topics/subjects that you dislike/ detest the most:
One-size-fits-all approaches, Systemic barriers, Misaligned impact of research.
What are your career goals or expectations?
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.
What would you be doing if not for the current profession?
I would be pursuing residency in internal medicine or psychiatry.
What do you like to do in your leisure time?
I enjoy trying new restaurants, travelling, reading and writing.
Who do you idolize and why?
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.”
Kindly mention your Publication(s), if any:
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.
Kindly mention your achievements or awards:
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
What is nutritional deficiency?
Nutritional deficiency occurs when one or more nutrients are at a below optimal level in the human body.
How one can know he/she is nutritional deficient? Are there any specific tests to check?
There may be some visible signs and symptoms that can be confirmed on examination and with blood tests.
How can one overcome this?
This can be overcome by taking the necessary treatment and incorporating some lifestyle changes.
How can you prevent yourself from nutrition deficiency in the first place? Do you need supplementation or simple home meal is sufficient?
This can be prevented by taking healthy, well-balanced meals which can be sufficient in the form of simple home meals.
What are some of the topics in public health and nutrition topics about which you are most Passionate about?
I’m passionate about Mental health and iron deficiency.
Please provide us with advice on how to eat healthy and balanced meals on a tight schedule.
Meal prepping is a game changer when it comes to prioritising eating healthy and balanced meals.
In which areas of public health do you have the most expertise? If you can tell us about it briefly.
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.
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 combination of curiosity, addiction and convenience has contributed to its rise.
Please list some readable websites or publications or anything that you use to keep up with the most recent research in your profession.
PubMed, International journals and topics in news articles.
What change would you like to bring about in the Health or Nutrition sector?
I would like to highlight how hidden calories have a role to play.
And finally, what message would you like to give to today's youth?
Believe in tomorrow but remember that your voice and actions matter even today.
