Drs. Sumana and Keerthi Reddy, sisters and current fellows in Allergy and Immunology, share their stories about their separate paths for medical training and how they ended up at UMMC together.
Tell us about your backgrounds.
We are originally from Griffin, Georgia, a small suburb south of Atlanta. We grew up in a very close-knit family with our parents and youngest sister.
Sumana: After graduating high school, I went to Kasturba Medical College in India for medical school, and went on to do my Internal Medicine Residency at University of Alabama at Montgomery. Now, I am currently a first year Allergy and Immunology fellow.
Keerthi: Going into high school, I knew I wanted to go into medicine. After graduating, I went to the American University of Antigua and did a 6 year medical program. I then went onto do my pediatric residency at East Tennessee State University, and currently am a second year Allergy and Immunology fellow.
How is working together as sisters?
Sumana: We get asked this question quite often. Personally, I think it’s a lot of fun. Keerthi and I have always been close growing up, so it’s literally like going to work with your best friend every day. From a work aspect, it’s always great to have someone to bounce ideas off of and discuss difficult cases with.
Keerthi: I definitely agree with Sumana. It really is fun being able to work together. It’s not very often that you can say that your sister is your junior fellow. I think the funniest part of working together is how often we get confused for one another. The best part though is as the older sister not only do I get to boss her around at home…I get to boss her around at work now too….hahaha!
What do you like most about UMMC?
Sumana: I think it would definitely have to be the people. Whether that be administration, attendings, nursing staff, or co-fellows, everyone has been so friendly, helpful, and understanding. Not having trained at UMMC for medical school or residency, coming to a new place is always a little nerve-wracking, but everyone here has truly helped make the transition seamless, and I am so grateful for that.
Keerthi: I would have to say the people and the relationships that I formed are what I like most about UMMC. I have never felt out of place from the time I have been here.
Is there something you could give a 40 minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation?
Sumana: If it is unrelated to medicine, it would probably be about soccer.
Keerthi: It would likely be a presentation on Indian cooking.
What are some small things that make your day better?
Sumana: I would say ice cream, a good book, and spending time with family and friends.
Keerthi: It would have to be snicker bars, a good Netflix show, and family time!
Where do you want to be in life in 5 years?
Sumana: I hope to be a practicing Allergist and Immunologist either back in Georgia or Alabama in the next five years.
Keerthi: Hopefully be a full-fledged board certified practicing allergist and immunologist!
If you weren’t a physician, what would you do?
Sumana: That’s a hard question. As long as I can remember, I have always wanted to be a physician, but if I had to choose an alternative profession, it would probably be travel photography.
Keerthi: If I was not in medicine, I think that I would have probably been a social studies teacher. I have always loved learning about history and different cultures along with teaching.
So, what do you think about your co-fellow Rob?
Keerthi/Sumana: Robert Greer…where do we even begin? I don’t think there’s enough room here to cover it all. We absolutely love Rob!! Could not have asked for a better person to go through fellowship with!
Progress Notes 