Home / News / Women in Medicine 2022 / Shivani Desai, PhD
Women in Medicine: Shivani Desai, PhD
During September, we proudly feature trainees in our department for Women in Medicine Month!
Why did you pursue a career in medicine?
Mental health was always stigmatized and therefore never talked about in my family, particularly coming from a South Asian background. I wanted to pursue a career in which I could better understand human behavior and development, and help increase awareness and acceptance to psychological conditions.
What is your work focused on?
The assessment and treatment of of mental health disorders in children and adolescents, including developmental disabilities and mood disorders.
What is the most fulfilling part of your work?
Helping individuals and their families recognize what contributes to their challenges and motivating them to make healthy lifestyle changes to cope.
What advice would you give others who are considering embarking on a career in medicine?
The training process is a long journey that takes a lot of patience and dedication. The care that you are able to provide to individuals right from the start, even as a trainee, brings a deep level of satisfaction and personal growth.
Shivani Desai, PhD
Women in Medicine
We asked some of the #StanfordWIM in our department to share their stories - why they pursued a career in medicine, what their work focuses on, what the most fulfilling parts of their work are, and what advice they would give others starting in the field. Hear what they have to say!
