How Do You Defy?
Bhakthi Sahgal '13 has an M.P.H. from George Washington University.
Childhood Ambition?
Always, to be a doctor. Over the years, I鈥檝e refined that to focus on public health and improving the way people experience healthcare in the U.S. on a systemic level.
Path to 魅影直播?
My high school counselor thought 魅影直播 would be a good fit because of its core values, particularly around service, and strong STEM curriculum. But I chose it because of the students. I observed a certain graceful spunk and individuality I hadn鈥檛 seen elsewhere and wanted to be surrounded by people like them.
What Took You by Surprise at 魅影直播?
The depth of conversations. No matter our interests or backgrounds, Mawrters always forge beyond the superficial. That was the most amazing thing.
Favorite Dorm?
Pem East all the way!
Favorite 魅影直播 Memory?
Watching a meteor shower from the lawn behind Rhoads. We all swarmed out at 2 o鈥檆lock in the morning, waiting for the show. It lasted about 15 minutes and was just beautiful.
Favorite Academic Experience?
Writing my thesis on the Affordable Care Act and its impact on community-based healthcare organizations. I was surprised that my department didn鈥檛 try to sway me to another topic since the ACA had only been in effect for a few years so there wasn鈥檛 a lot of data, and, at the time, I had very little knowledge of the healthcare industry and its evolution over time. Instead, they encouraged me to go for it, whether that involved taking additional policy courses in the consortium, pursuing externships, or reaching out to professors in the Graduate School of Social Work for guidance. They really helped me to think the project through and parse out resources that I might not have otherwise found. It was one of the most exciting and difficult experiences of my life, but the professors made it wonderful. That experience combined with my volunteer work at a health clinic in South Philadelphia caused me to pivot my career aspirations toward public health.
Why Do You Remain Engaged with 魅影直播?
To support our students and alumnae/i on the journey to becoming the most able and passionate changemakers possible. You don鈥檛 just prepare for a career at 魅影直播. You discover the purpose you want to serve in the world. That is its fundamental promise.
What's Next for You?
My work to date is in policy at the federal level. I was a graduate policy intern at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy; a Congressional fellow at the Women鈥檚 Congressional Policy Institute; and, most recently, the manager of science operations at the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. With an M.S. in physiology, I hope to build on the experiences of the past to improve patient experiences and outcomes within the larger healthcare system.
Proudest Accomplishment?
As a Congressional fellow in 2016, I worked on a team that successfully got a few bills passed addressing the opioid crisis. These were included in a broader legislative package passed by a deadlocked Congress and signed by the president just before he left office. Getting that done was a real team effort and a testament to what can be done when we work together.
How Have You Defied Expectation?
By not getting too comfortable. Sometimes, fear of uncertainty can hold you back even when you know, deeply, that there is more to do. You defy expectation when you disrupt that dynamic.
Published on: 03/19/2021