On June 14, M3 student Medha Narwankar received the 2023 Houston Gynecological & Obstetrical Society (HGOS) Outstanding Medical Student Award for her dedication and commitment to patient care in obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN). Both humbled and honored, Narwankar shares what this achievement means to her and her future in OB/GYN.
The HGOS chooses one medical student across the Texas Medical Center (TMC) for this award, and Narwankar, nominated by Houston Methodist Hospital OB/GYN Clerkship and Program Residency Director Konrad Harms, MD, becomes the next Aggie to receive this honor. “To say that I am excited, honored, and humbled is an understatement,” said Narwankar. Her passion, love, and dedication to the unique field of OB/GYN only gets stronger as she continues to learn and grow in her final year of medical school.
As a student that approached medical school with an open mind, Narwankar mentions that after her first rotation on OB/GYN’s service, she knew she felt something special. “Since I started the EnMed program, I wanted to feel like I fit in on a service and feel a sense of belonging in a particular field of medicine,” says Narwankar, “And after my first rotation, I knew I fit in.” To fit in is one thing, but to feel that you belong is another, and Narwankar dreams to make her future patients feel as if they belong when they seek gynecological and obstetrical care.
Narwankar is appreciative to the OB/GYN practice because of its various avenues of patient care. OB/GYN, as she recognizes it, has the admirable “trifecta” of medicine, where physicians practice preventative, primary, and surgical care. She stated that, “It’s one of the few practices where doctors can call themselves primary care physicians and surgeons.” Even though the field includes this “trifecta” of patient care, Narwankar regards OB/GYN as her passion because of the unique advocacy for patients.
“Patient advocacy makes me excited about health care,” says Narwankar, “To be able to advocate for patients in an intense and intimate way is very important to me.” OB/GYN physicians practice patient advocacy on a day-to-day basis, providing them with a support system throughout their health care journey. “Whether it’s through their pregnancy journey or cancer treatment, I want to be there for my patient and bring an intimate level of support to my career,” said Narwankar. Grateful for a specialty that allows her to connect with and support her patients on a unique level, Narwankar is excited for what her future holds.
As she concludes her third year of medical school, Narwankar reflects on her time as an EnMed student. She remarked that, “EnMed has always encouraged its students to stay curious and to be confident in the questions you ask.” For incoming fourth years, the time is inching near to submit residency applications, and as she continues to grow as a student, Narwankar plans to innovate health care, each and every day in her future career. Narwankar stated that, “There is always room for improvement in health care, especially when some medical instruments that are used today are also found in museums.” Not only will Narwankar be her patients biggest advocate, but she will also always leave room for innovation wherever she goes.
Along with the rest of her class and M4 students across the country, Narwankar will submit her residency applications on September 6. While it is unknown on where she will venture to next, Narwankar has found her passion in the field of OB/GYN. She expresses gratitude for her many mentors at the School of Engineering Medicine and Houston Methodist Hospital, and her fellow physicianeers for motivating her throughout her medical journey. This award, as many can imagine, will be the first of many as she continues to excel in the medical field.
Congratulations Medha on earning the 2023 HGOS Outstanding Medical Student Award!
