Akhila Manthena (AZCOM 2026)

I am a second-year medical student at Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine (AZCOM). I am originally from New Jersey, and I graduated with my bachelors degree in Bio-mathematics in 2020. Then I got my Masters of Science in Biomedical Sciences from Midwestern University in 2022. I have always been interested in neurology and mental health due to my brother being diagnosed with autism, as well as my own struggles with depression. I worked at a local psychiatric hospital where I took care of patients with various psychiatric illness during the peak of Covid. During that time, I admired my fellow co-workers and nurses who took the risk to make sure that the patients were cared for. My advice for future healthcare professionals is to get clinical experience because it is a great way to make sure that this field is for you. In addition, always stay resilient and take care of your mental health. My last piece of advice is to always remind yourself why you are in this field.