Sanjay Balasubramanian

I’m a biology major and freshman at the University of Houston, driven by a passion for improving healthcare and promoting cultural competency. I’m committed to bridging cultural gaps and providing patient-centered care to create a meaningful impact in the field.

My Story

Since a young age, I have been intrigued by diverse family traditions and their influence on health. As a young child, my grandma would prepare a steaming cup of her healing brew using her treasure trove of aromatic herbs. The warm elixir would calm my fever, and my grandma would say, "Natural is the best."Just like my family emphasizes Ayurveda, every family has unique practices during illness. Early on I recognized that healthcare stretches far beyond the boundaries of allopathic medicine, intertwining with the delicate threads of culture, beliefs and socioeconomic status. Given this, I chose to explore the role of culture in healthcare by gaining clinical experience and observing professionals through shadowing. I decided to compile all the information I gathered into an accessible format to educate others about cultural competency in healthcare. This aims to foster change towards more culturally sensitive and appropriate care in the diverse cultural landscape of the United States.