Name: Pruthali Kulkarni, DO
Specialty: Internal Medicine
City: Temple
County Medical Society: Bell CMS
Social Media Handle:
Facebook: Pruthali Kulkarni
Why do you think your section is an important part of TMA?
Residents and Fellows are a small but important part of the TMA. We are the group that bridges the years between undergraduate medical education to attending-hood; and, in so doing that, we bring in the fresh perspectives and the desire to enact change that we hold onto from our time in medical school - where we can still pinpoint issues and have the energy to enact changes, and have the clinical understanding of the medical system to navigate challenges in medicine as a business. Furthermore, given the data that many residents and fellows establish themselves into practices where they did their training, we also approach the TMA with a knowledge that this is the community we will eventually practice in - a fact which makes us that much more driven to enact changes in and for our community.
What benefits have you derived from your membership in the section?
I have been involved in the TMA throughout my years in medical school and residency. I have gained not only a necessary understanding of the business and politics of medicine, but also developed my leadership style and purpose through my membership. Alongside the above reasons, I have also appreciate the opportunity to develop friends and connections with like-mind fellow physicians.
List any current or previous leadership roles within TMA including TMAF, TMAA, and other affiliated organizations.
I have served on the Medical Student Section (MSS) as the delegate co-chair between the years of 2018-2020. I then served on the Resident and Fellow Section (RFS) as a TMA delegate (2020-2021) and RFS secretary in 2021-2022. Following that, I have served as RFS chair-elect in 2022-2023. I have also concurrently served as RFS representative on the Council on Legislation and the Committee on Cancer throughout my time in the RFS (2020-present). I am currently eagerly looking forward to serving as the RFS Chair this upcoming year in order to continue contributing towards the TMA's goals, and upholding its vision.
If you have served in a leadership role at TMA, please share what you gained out of the experience.
I have learned through my leadership roles in the TMA, the value of active involvement and the art of navigating through discussion and disagreements. I have been given the opportunity to develop and cultivate my leadership style and values, which has contributed to my success in the TMA, in my career, and overall in life.
Who or what inspired your medical career?
My paternal grandfather was a well regarded Ayurvedic practitioner in rural India. He passed away when I was 8, and retired well before then. However I grew up hearing stories, from his patients when we visited India and from my family, regarding his practicing style and incredible dedication. The desire to achieve those same virtues and to live up to his example drove me to pursue medicine. Now that I am practicing medicine, the opportunity to care for my patients and learn more every day, drives me growing passion for this field.
What is your favorite pastime or hobby?
My favorite hobby is to create or vegetate. There is no in-between! I love to spend my free time sewing quilts or clothes from my own patterns, or, more recently, coffee paint! I have been working on a trio of coffee paintings dedicated to the cultural dance forms from three different states in India. The one I have finished so far is that of a Bharatnatyam dancer. I used to practice this style of dance as a child, and creating this painting was bittersweet and nostalgic in the best possible way!
