How Aparna Naik Honors Her South Indian Culture: AAPI Heritage Month Interview
Published May 23, 2023
Inside OME
Aparna Naik is a second-year student at the Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine. She grew up in New Jersey and is first-generation Indian American. In her free time, she loves to run, play basketball, do yoga, sing classical Indian music and dance.
To celebrate and honor Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, she reflected on her culture, what drew her to osteopathic medicine and how she hopes to give back to her community and the next generation of medical students.
The answers below have been edited for brevity and clarity.
Q: What inspired you to study osteopathic medicine and has your heritage influenced your path to become a DO?
Aparna: After shadowing an osteopathic physician, I was amazed at his holistic approach to patient care. It inspired me to implement the same type of care to my patients—to not just prescribe them medication, but really take a step back to look at the bigger picture of their mind, body, spirit and what's going on at home. He was a family medicine DO who ran his own practice and I loved that he knew everybody who walked in his door. He knew their sister, mother or some family friend. I loved how he built those lifelong relationships with his patients. I knew I wanted to do the same in the future.
Q: How do you see your AAPI identity intersecting with your future practice as an osteopathic physician?
Aparna: Growing up as a first-generation Indian American, I learned about my South Indian heritage. Learning about my own culture allowed me to be receptive and excited to learn about other people's cultures, practices, traditions and their values. Osteopathic and Ayurvedic medicine embody similar values of considering the mind, body and spirit when treating a person. Both fields of medicine focus on holistic health and healing therapies for optimal wellness. Mind-body interventions recognize the connection between the physical body and the spiritual self, and include practices such as meditation, prayer and music therapy. In my future practice as an osteopathic physician, I hope to focus my efforts on preventative medicine and offer yoga as a great tool to improve strength, flexibility and mental well-being. I hope to spread awareness about mental health, especially in the AAPI community where mental health is often stigmatized. As an osteopathic physician, I’m looking forward to helping improve everyone’s quality of life, learn from my peers and patients, and give back to my community!
Q: What advice would you share with other AAPI students who are interested in osteopathic medicine?
Aparna: I have a lot of advice! First, everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they're dedicated and passionate about what they do. I know sometimes the road to medicine and the journey may not be easy, but never give up. If you really care about what you do and work hard, you can achieve your goals. Secondly, don't be afraid to ask for help and seek mentorship. My mentors guided me and supported me when I needed it, and that made a difference in my life. A quote I really like is that “there are no secrets to success, it is the result of hard work, preparation and learning from failure.”
Q: What does this year's AAPI Heritage Month theme of advancing leaders through opportunity mean to you?
Aparna: This year's theme reminds me of my own parents’ story of immigrating to the United States. They came from humble beginnings and embarked on a new life to provide a better life for me and my brother. The opportunities I’ve had to receive a college education, go to medical school and become a physician are a testament to their countless sacrifices, hard work and determination. For that, I will be forever grateful. I plan to pay it forward by providing healthcare to my community and providing opportunities to future generations through mentorship and guidance.
Q: How do you plan to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month?
Aparna: I plan to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month by spreading awareness about the importance of multiculturalism, diversity and having cultural competence. I think we should all recognize and celebrate our differences! I plan to highlight the history and achievements of people of AAPI heritage, amplify their voices and share my own South Indian culture. I'm passionate about mentorship and will continue to help younger generations become future physicians and succeed in their own careers. Lastly, I love doing yoga and will continue to practice and raise awareness about the benefits of yoga on physical and mental health.