Get to know Dr. Saranya Dinesan, first-year hematology and oncology fellow. Here, Dr. Dinesan shares her path to medicine, Mississippi, and what she loves about UMMC.
First, tell us about you.
I’m originally from Kerala, India and I grew up in Kuwait where I did most of my schooling. I went to Government Medical College Kottayam in India when I decided to pursue my medical career in the US. I did my internal medicine residency at Charleston Area Medical Center/WVU in West Virginia. I went on to do a year of Geriatrics Fellowship at the University of Texas Health Sciences center in San Antonio. And now I’m here! 🙂
On the personal side, I’m married to the most wonderful and supportive husband, Vivek. He is an engineer and works from home for Amazon. We have a 2 and a half-year-old son, Siddharth. During my spare time, I love to cook (and eat!), listen to music and dance (and now dance with my kiddo!).
When did you know you wanted to pursue hematology/oncology?
I’ve known ever since my final year of med school that I wanted to pursue hematology and oncology. I lost my most wonderful uncle to metastatic thyroid carcinoma while he also battled prostate cancer and CLL. Seeing someone that close to you go through something like that and be on the other side gives you a different perspective. He believed in medicine until his last hours and definitely inspired me to pursue hem/onc. The patient experiences I’ve had in residency definitely solidified that. I believe our hem/onc patients are in very vulnerable states and we are privileged to be a part of the journey.
What do you like most about UMMC?
The people! My colleagues have gone above and beyond to make sure we settled in fine! When I matched here, I got a personal phone call from the Program Director to welcome me. I’m not sure how many programs do that! My co-fellow sent me emails with google map screen shots with circled areas pointing to good neighborhoods to live in! We even shipped our car to a colleague’s home before we even met her!
What advice would you give to the interns?
Be nice to everyone, no matter what position/role they are in. You are a team. Also know that you are never alone and there is always someone who is willing to help you. All you need to do is ask! Intern year will get rough but continue to do your best and soak up all that you can. It will get better!
What could you give a 40 minute presentation on without preparation?
I would probably do a Dance demo! I love dancing. I’m trained in Indian classical dance and I enjoy teaching dancing as well. 🙂
What is something you wish you knew more about?
Right now? Everything about Hem/Onc!! The learning curve is definitely steep, and the field is always expanding.
What are some small things that make your day better?
Playing with my kiddo, having a nice home-cooked meal, talking to my mom (and we can talk to each other for looong!!)
Tell us something about you that most people don’t know.
I have lived in over 11 cities spanning over India, Kuwait and the USA so far! I’ve moved around a lot – Boston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Atlanta, Charleston (WV) and now Jackson. Most of it was necessary due to my husband’s job changes or my training. I love that I got to learn something new from every city I’ve lived in and the people I’ve met!
Progress Notes 