Women in Medicine: Shebani Sethi, MD, ABOM

Why did you pursue a career in medicine?

I like science, people, and continually learning. Also, I was inspired by my grandfather who I looked up to during my childhood. He was a surgeon with a great personality.

What is your work focused on?

My interests are in an emerging discipline, we termed Metabolic Psychiatry, which brings together the fields of obesity medicine and psychiatry, looking at the connections between metabolic health, metabolism and mental health. I am studying the influences of nutrition and treatment of metabolic dysfunction (abnormal glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, inflammation) as a means to improve mental illness. At Stanford, we are leading the first several Metabolic Psychiatry initiatives with generous philanthropic support in the clinical, research, and community settings.

What is the most fulfilling part of your work?

Having the space to be creative about my work, explore the science, and getting to work with grateful patients that understand the value of that creativity. They are my biggest supporters!

What advice would you give yourself when you started in the field, knowing what you know now?

Follow your passion - always. Don't internalize what others may tell you about what you should be doing more of or less of. Not everyone's path is the same.