My name is Arnav Sankaranthi. I’m excited to be serving as the Medical Humanities Club president this academic year. To me, the medical humanities exemplify the fact that medicine cannot be solely viewed through a biomedical lens. The medical humanities bring us a greater understanding of the human condition, social and structural determinants of health, and patient voices that may not be heard otherwise. Not only can the medical humanities help to make better physicians, but the humanities can also provide insight and meaning to patients suffering from illnesses. I am passionate about sharing the perspectives that the arts, humanities, and social sciences can bring to medicine. I have previously served as the Symposium Chair for two years. This year, I hope to implement new events and initiatives that will engage more students in our club, the minor, and the broader field of medical humanities.

Molly often says that if there was ever a field that perfectly encapsulated all of her various creative and academic interests, the Medical Humanities is it. The ability of Medical Humanities to intersect disciplines through narrative medicine is a subject of constant fascination for Molly, and her fondness for this type of storytelling is often exercised through student filmmaking, graphic design, and creative writing. As a Health Sciences major, Molly is also passionate about issues of public health. Molly served as the 2021-2022 Medical Humanities Club Outreach Committee Chair, and is thrilled to take on her new role as the 2022-2023 Internal Vice President, and was recently selected as a Medical Humanities Ambassador. The Medical Humanities has without a doubt been a guiding light to Molly during her time at Rice so far, and she is honored to serve the program.

Medical Humanities has broadened my understanding of science and medicine while offering me the tools to critique the pre-existing frameworks that define it. I have learned about the interdisciplinary nature of health and healing and the importance of acknowledging this and implementing changes in our current system that reflect this. I hope that by attending our events, students of any discipline see the Medical Humanities as an opportunity to expand their perspective and learn how to effect real change beyond the classroom setting. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone at all the new events we are introducing this year!

Hey! My name is Chris, and I'm a junior studying History and BioSciences. MedHum has allowed me to critically think about the work I want to be doing in the future as a physician. I am excited to work closely with the MedHum team and provide prompt communication.

My name is Aishani Gargapati, and I am excited to be this year’s Treasurer! I am a sophomore from Wiess College. I had an amazing experience serving as the Fundraising Chair of the Rice Medical Humanities Club in my freshman year. This past year, I have deepened my passion for the medical humanities and have enjoyed learning about fascinating topics, such as the social construction of illness, health disparities, the healthcare provider-patient relationship, and the history of medicine. I am excited to organize our club budget and funds, help plan for events, and connect with club members throughout the year and beyond!