Hansini Reddy

Hometown: Tallahassee, FL

High School: James S. Rickards High School

FSU Major: Clinical Professions

 

What do you like about HMSS?

Supporting and being supported by a small group of scholars who have the same professional goals as me is both comforting and encouraging. It's reassuring to know that I can rely on my mentors when things get challenging, and at the same time, I feel motivated to go above and beyond while pursuing my goals of becoming a physician.

Why do you want to go into medicine?

Observing at the Behavioral Health Center at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, I witnessed the significant challenges LGBTQ+ individuals face, particularly those from underserved areas where access to mental health care is limited. Many of the children I met struggled with suicidal ideation. Their stories felt deeply personal to me, as I understand the impact of stigma and the challenges of navigating environments that lack acceptance. These experiences, along with my understanding of cultural barriers to mental health acceptance, have inspired me to pursue medicine. It's my dream to improve mental healthcare by addressing disparities, advancing research on gender identity and sexuality, and expanding access for underrepresented communities.