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Parth Thakkar
Clifton, NJ

 

Parth is a medical student at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. After graduating summa cum laude with a degree in Cell Biology and Neuroscience from Rutgers University, he decided to defer his acceptance to medical school. During this time, he explored global health and the medical humanities. In May 2015, he went to Guatemala to assist the local coffee farmers of the Antigua Valley with community development. In November 2015, he volunteered with the non-profit organization Smile Bangladesh to help provide free cleft lip / cleft palate surgeries to marginalized populations in Dhaka, along with spending some time in neighboring India to better grasp the healthcare systems in Gujarat.

 

Upon matriculation to RWJMS, he is excited to further his understanding of both different cultures and healthcare through the school's distinction in global health program. Equipped with a background in narrative medicine, he hopes to focus his efforts on international stories of healing.

 

Why did you choose the CNP's certificate program?

I chose CNP's certificate program because I wanted to have an exposure to a wide breadth of medical humanities. The diversity and caliber of the professors is simply unmatched.

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What has been your experience with low-residency education, e.g. August residency week, online sessions?

The onsite sessions in August did a wonderful job of exposing us to many different manifestations of the medical narrative, and the online classes each week help us go more in depth in each topic.

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What has the highlight of the program been for you so far?

The highlight of the program has been the collective experiences of the faculty and students. As I am just beginning my career, I feel incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to gain valuable insight from my peers and professors.

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How do you envision you will apply this intensive training in narrative in your life, professionally and/or personally?

Professionally, I hope to make narrative medicine the foundation of my medical practice. Personally, I am finding narrative as a better way to get in tune with others and myself.