Our Interview With Dr. Preyanshu Parekh

Dr. Preyanshu Parekh is a dedicated and compassionate healthcare provider with a wealth of experience at Shine Medical Center. As a family physician and weight management specialist, Dr. Parekh is passionate about delivering personalized, patient-focused care to individuals and families of all ages.

What motivated you to pursue a career in medicine?

Early on in middle school, I realized that I want to help people in terms of health, and I looked up to a few individuals back then who were role models for me. It becomes challenging down the road; you question yourself for all the compromises you will be making, but it always came down to the same choice for me. I knew I was doing it for a reason, more than a career. I always had the drive, so it was just about acting upon it.

What do you wish you had known about the medical school application process before you applied?

The process is intimidating, but at the end of the day, I wish I knew that there were options. I was intimidated by the fact that if I didn’t get in, everything would be a waste of time. You have to look at it as another process, another interview, and fortunately, there are many options in the US. You can apply again in the second year, or you can apply for different programs. I wish we could decrease the intimidation because when you remove that, it makes things a lot easier, and you can actually reflect on your journey. Everyone just follows the same path—these many hours of clinical research and volunteering—but I wish I knew that overall, personality matters too, which will be reflected in your application. 

What was the biggest challenge that caught you off guard when you sat down to write the MCAT?

For me, it was the fact that I came to the U.S. as a junior in high school. Within 3-6 months, I had to take the ACT, then apply to college, then the MCAT in two years. For me, the challenge wasn’t the science part of it but the language and comprehension because I came from an immigrant background. I don't think the MCAT strongly reflects the applicant. It’s only one part of the assessment. I understood this many years later. 

How much work experience did you gain before applying to medical school? What opportunities did you pursue, and what helped you the most during the application process?

I worked at jobs like Target and IT help desk in college. So, not medicine related, but I was still involved in a lot of clubs at college, and I put everything together and was able to balance it all while keeping my interest in medicine. I shadowed a few doctors around me, which helped me get a better understanding of what medicine was like. Just by doing that, I got a lot of clinical experience and got some references from them by having a good work ethic. The MCAT courses definitely helped me; I took them twice. Although I didn’t have a good clinical job before applying, the volunteering experiences helped a lot. 

Did you have any setbacks or rejections during the med school admissions process, and what did you learn from those experiences?

I was not accepted in the first cycle, and during my off-year at a mortgage company, I did some odd jobs. I reapplied the next year, continued shadowing, and applied to a lot more schools. All it took was one acceptance. Just one school needs to give you a chance.

What led you to specialize in Family Medicine? What advice would you give to someone looking to pursue your specialty?

I narrowed this area of medicine down in later years of my medical school. During clinical rotations, you get a lot more understanding of what you like. I realized the surgical field was not for me, and I enjoyed a variety of fields as well as taking care of all ages. Therefore, I decided to pursue family medicine. Keeping an open mind during your journey will allow you to choose the right field that you can enjoy for many years to come.

If someone wants to start their own practice, what does that path look like after finishing medical school?

Starting your own practice is challenging, but the biggest thing I would highlight is financial literacy, and that goes back to even when applying to colleges. Many kids graduate from medical school with huge loans, which restricts them in terms of jobs. Save money and spend wisely. Once you have some financial strength, you can create this path easily. Starting my own practice came after 3-4 years when I saw what I wanted in terms of autonomy, family balance, and a little bit of financial support. It’s highly rewarding even though it comes with its own set of challenges. 

What advice would you give to someone who’s looking to start their practice today?

The biggest thing is patience. You may not see paychecks or patients flowing in the first year. Medical school will not teach you the business side of things. You must give yourself at least two years before you see a good return. As long as you are interested and patient with the process, you will be successful. 

‍Inspira Advantage is proud to interview experts like Dr. Preyanshu Parekh to help future doctors understand the challenges and rewards of a medical career. Learn more about how our experts can help you get into medical school today.