Resident Roundup: Sowmya Ravi, MD, MPH

Meet Sowmya Ravi, MD, MPH, from Chandler, AZ. She attended Tulane School of Medicine, and is a PGY-1 in the Yale-Waterbury Residency Program.

I was drawn to a career in medicine by a blend of inspiration, curiosity, and a commitment to tackle the health disparities I saw around me. Growing up, my mother—a dedicated pediatric emergency room physician—showed me what it means to stand by families in their hardest moments. Her stories filled our home with examples of resilience and hope. In Arizona, I began to notice the deep health inequities that shaped the lives of so many marginalized communities around me. It fueled my desire to bridge these gaps through both medicine and public health. This drive led me to pursue a combined BA and MPH at Case Western, where I continued my research on healthcare disparities and focused my research on the far-reaching effects of the opioid crisis and how systemic barriers perpetuate cycles of poor health. After graduating undergrad, I made my way to New Orleans for medical school at Tulane, where I found not only an excellent education but a community that strengthened my dedication to serving underserved patients. There, I discovered my passion for caring for patients with hidradenitis suppurativa, a painful and stigmatized condition that disproportionately affects overlooked populations. I hope to continue research in this area and inspire other like-minded physicians to address complex health disparities head on. Through it all, I hold the lessons my mother modeled for me closely: to listen deeply, advocate boldly, and never lose sight of the people and communities we serve.

After residency, I hope to practice dermatology in the midwest or east coast, close to my family with plenty of access to greenery and trails for long walks with my dog. I hope to balance clinical work with research and community outreach, building programs that increase access to early diagnosis, comprehensive treatment, and patient education. I also want to mentor future trainees and advocate for provider wellness because I believe we care best for our patients when we also care for each other.

I chose Yale because of the wonderful balance this program offered in terms of electives and wards. I knew I wanted a strong preliminary year with a strong foundation in internal medicine in order to strengthen my knowledge for becoming a better well rounded diagnostician before becoming a specialist. Additionally, the residents seemed genuinely happy and prioritized learning in addition to wellness as a cohort! Getting to know my coworkers on a deeper level was always one of my goals for residency.

Collaborative, warm, and kind.

Dinner at Dr. Cosgriff’s house prior to starting my intern year to get to know my co-residents and the program!

The person who has had the greatest influence on me is my mother. She showed me what it truly means to care for others with both skill and compassion. I watched her balance the demands of long shifts and urgent cases with an unwavering dedication to her patients and their families. She never shied away from difficult situations- whether it was comforting a worried parent or advocating fiercely for a child who needed more than the system was prepared to give. Her stories at the dinner table weren’t just about medicine; they were lessons in empathy, resilience, and humility. She taught me that being a good physician is not just about clinical knowledge, but about listening deeply and treating each patient as a whole person shaped by their circumstances. Seeing the way she built trust with families during some of their hardest moments inspired me to pursue a career in medicine myself. Her example reminds me every day of the kind of doctor I hope to be: present, compassionate, and willing to stand up for those who need it most.

If something feels like a setback now, trust that it has a purpose. Every experience—good or bad—will help you grow in ways you can’t yet see and shape you into who you’re meant to become. Looking back, the challenges that once seemed overwhelming have each pushed you toward something better and opened doors you never imagined

I love videography! I’ve been filming little moments of life since I was a kid. My first camera was a small silver Sony Cybershot and I started editing on Windows MovieMaker in 2009. Capturing everyday memories and turning them into mini movies is my favorite creative outlet and the best way I know to hold onto the people and places I love.

Be genuinely curious and open during your interviews and rotations. Internal medicine values people who love learning from every patient and every case. Programs want to see that you’re not just smart, but adaptable, a good communicator, and someone who cares deeply about working on a team. So don’t be afraid to show your authentic interest in how internists think through complex problems, coordinate care, and build long-term relationships with patients. And remember that the best fit is mutual—look for places that value and support you as much as you’ll give to them.

The Department of Internal Medicine at Yale is among the nation's premier departments, bringing together an elite cadre of clinicians, investigators and educators in one of the world's top medical schools. To learn more about the department, visit Internal Medicine.