Fellow Focus: Dr. Srujan Edupuganti

Get to know Dr. Srujan Edupuganti, PGY-IV rheumatology fellow and cricket lover. Here, he shares about his path to rheumatology and Mississippi.

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First, tell us about you. 

I grew up in a quaint little beach town in India, raised as an only child in a close-knit family of three. Curiosity has always been a guiding thread for me, leading me from medical school in India to working in Jamaica, and eventually to the United States. I completed my Med-Peds residency at Hurley Medical Center in Michigan, which is also where I met my wife. After residency, I made my way down to Mississippi, where I’ve been excited to continue building my career and the next chapter of life.

When did you know you wanted to pursue rheumatology?

During residency, I cared for a young patient with JIA who developed Crohn’s disease as a complication of her monoclonal antibody therapy. Working through her case — piecing together her symptoms, history, and treatment — pulled me into the world of immunology and biologics, which was both extremely interesting and truly intimidating. That experience showed me how rheumatology combines the intellectual puzzles I love with the opportunity to build lasting relationships with patients. It wasn’t a single instant of realization, but that case confirmed for me that rheumatology is where I truly belong. 

What do you like most about UMMC?

In these first few months, what’s stood out to me is the complexity of the pathology I get to see here. The patient population is diverse, and many present with rheumatologic conditions intertwined with medical and social challenges. As a true referral hub for Mississippi, UMMC constantly pushes me to think more broadly — and just as importantly, the people here have been warm and welcoming from the start. Even early in fellowship, I can already feel this place shaping me into a stronger clinician.

What advice would you give to the interns? 

I’d tell interns to start residency with humility and curiosity. Be a good teammate—help others, ask questions, lean on each other, and always keep empathy for your patients at the center. At the same time, look after your own growth and well-being, because you can only show up fully for others if you take care of yourself.

What could you give a 40-minute presentation on without preparation? 

Definitely cricket. Growing up in India, it was a huge part of my childhood and shaped so much of who I am. If I weren’t in medicine, cricket would have been the career I’d chase without a second thought.

What is something you wish you knew more about?

Why does time move differently when your food is in the microwave?

What are some small things that make your day better?

Kick-starting my day with a great cup of coffee and unwinding my workday with a strong cup of chai are two rituals that always bring me comfort. I enjoy running and rollerblading whenever I can. But most importantly, what makes any day better is spending time with my family—that’s what truly recharges me. 

Tell us something about you that most people don’t know.

I’m actually a huge outdoorsy person. Whenever I get free time, I love heading out to hike and explore new trails — discovering hidden routes is one of my favorite ways to recharge.