Second Look Weekend

Year: VMS2
Hometown: Brentwood, TN
Undergrad: Vanderbilt University

Hey guys! I’m Namrah, and I’m a second-year at Vandy. I’ve lived in Middle Tennessee since I was 5 years old and went to Vanderbilt for undergrad (#anchordown)! I majored in biomedical engineering and math, and went straight through to med school. I don’t know yet what specialty I want to pursue, but that makes being a clinical student this year so much more fun! And, when I’m not at the hospital or on UWorld, I like to bake, walk in the rain, and play board/card games.

At VUSM, I’ve been involved in Shade Tree Clinic, American Muslim Medical Student Association, VMS Knits, and SMC Mentorship. If you’re considering becoming a ‘double dore’ or attending VUSM as a Nashville native and want to hear what that’s like, do reach out! Ditto if you’re interested in being involved in Nashville’s Muslim community! HUGE congrats to all of you guys on your acceptance here, and I can’t wait to meet y’all at SLW!

Year: VMS3 
Hometown: Nashville, TN 
Undergrad: Davidson College 

Hey y’all! My name is Josh and I’m a 3^rd year medical student here at Vandy. After growing up right here in the Bellevue area of Nashville, I spent 4 years studying Mathematics and Spanish at Davidson College. Then after graduating in 2020, I returned home to Nashville, got married to my wonderful wife Olivia in a backyard COVID wedding, and taught high school Physics & Calculus for 2 years prior to starting med school! 

I am passionate about education, technology, & using Spanish to reach Nashville’s underserved population, and Vandy has given me many opportunities to engage these interests. I serve as VP of the Student Technology Committee as well as a representative on VUSM’s Curriculum Committee. I also regularly volunteer at Shade Tree Clinic (Vandy’s student-run free clinic) where I now see patients as a clinical student after having served as a front-desk interpreter during M1 & M2 years. 

When I’m not doing something medicine-related, I’m often using that time to hang out with my wife Olivia and our cat Suki! We both love going to concerts & Predators hockey games, attending Medical Christian Fellowship, hiking in the Warner Parks, and nerding out over books & board games. 

Congrats on your acceptances, and I hope to see you during SLW! 

Email Josh about: Shade Tree Clinic 

 Year: VMS1
Hometown: Logan, UT
Undergrad: University of Utah

Hey everyone, congrats on getting into medical school!! My name is Gauri Garg, and I am a first year student here at Vanderbilt. I grew up in Logan, UT, a small city a couple hours north of Salt Lake City. I went to the University of Utah for my undergrad (class of 2023) and studied Health, Society and Policy. I took a gap year interning with the Utah legislature, travelling, and skiing!

I have LOVED my time at Vanderbilt so far and know I made the right decision in coming here. Through the medical school, I am involved in the Medical Innovators Development Program (MIDP), American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPIO), Organization of Student Representatives through AAMC (OSR), and Students for a National Health Program  (SNaHP).

There’s always so much going on in medical school and Nashville from college cup (go Batson!!), run club, awesome restaurants and bars, and a killer music scene. The community, from the students to administration, is truly unparalleled here and you won’t regret your decision. Hope to see you all here in July!!

Email Gauri about: Nashville, MIDP

Year: VMS2
Hometown: River Edge, NJ
Undergrad: Vanderbilt University

Hi everyone! My name is Jenn Kong, and I am currently a second year medical student at VUSM. I grew up in Northern NJ and went to Vanderbilt for undergrad, majoring in Sociology and Molecular & Cellular Biology. After graduation, I went “Double ‘Dore” and went to straight through to medical school.

At VUSM, I am involved in VUSM Ambassadors, Flexner Deans’ Lecture Series, MSFC and the menstrual equity branch of SMC. In Nashville, I love going to sporting events, trying new restaurants, listening to live music, and exploring the city. There is so much to do in Nashville all the time!

I am really excited to meet you all and can’t wait to share with you VUSM and Nashville! I’m happy to talk about anything and everything. Looking forward to SLW!

Year: VMS2 
Hometown: Palm Harbor, FL 
Undergrad: Cornell University 

What’s up, everyone! My name is Viraj Mithani, and I’m a second-year medical student at Vanderbilt. I grew up in Palm Harbor, Florida, just outside of Tampa, and went to school at Cornell University in upstate New York, where I studied Biological Sciences. After undergrad, I went straight through to Vandy. 

At Vandy, I’ve had the opportunity to be involved in some awesome organizations. I’ve volunteered as a Patient Health Educator at Shade Tree Clinic, our student-run free clinic, where I essentially acted as a case manager for my own panel of patients. I’m also the Director of Operations for the Street Medicine Interest Group, where we work to connect with homeless shelters and resource centers to provide medical aid to the unhoused communities in Nashville (I also helped develop a Homeless Health advanced elective course for medical students). Additionally, I’m involved in the Social Mission Committee’s Mentorship Committee, the AAMC Organization of Student Representatives (OSR), and the VUSM Global Health Organization. 

Outside of medical school, you can find me racing people at the skating rink, playing volleyball with classmates at Centennial Park, watching F1 (Red Bull all the way), or eating Velvet Taco. 

We’re all super excited to welcome you to Vanderbilt for Second Look Weekend! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions—or if you want to just vibe and chat, that’s cool too. 

Email Viraj about: Shade Tree Clinic, Street Medicine Interest Group, Nashville