Student Spotlight: Meet Dr. Akhila
Student Spotlight feature graphic for RotationSync showcasing Dr. Akhila, an international medical graduate, sharing her experience and insights from a U.S. clinical rotation as she prepares for residency in the United States.
An International Medical Graduate's Journey Through U.S. Clinical Training
Every physician's journey begins with a decision to pursue medicine—but no two paths look the same. Behind every residency application is a story of perseverance, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to caring for others, and RotationSync is honored to be a part of each unique story.
Our Student Spotlight series introduces you to the remarkable international medical graduates we have the privilege of working with. Through their experiences, reflections, and advice, we hope to celebrate their accomplishments while offering encouragement and insight to others walking a similar path.
Today, we're excited to introduce Dr. Pakalapati!
Every journey has a beginning. What inspired you to pursue medicine, and what ultimately led you to pursue residency or fellowship training in the United States?
“The more experiences I had, the more I realized that the happiest version of myself is the one solving clinical problems and caring for patients. I enjoy the challenge of medicine because it constantly pushes me to keep learning, while also allowing me to build meaningful relationships with people. That desire to continue growing is what led me to pursue residency training in the United States, where education and mentorship are such an integral part of the culture.”
Before you connected with RotationSync, what did your journey look like? What were the biggest questions, challenges, or uncertainties you were trying to navigate?
“Before connecting with RotationSync, my journey was driven by a lot of independent research and planning. I had completed medical school, gained experience in clinical research and industry, and was working toward building a competitive residency application, but I often found myself trying to piece everything together from different sources. There was no shortage of advice online, but it was difficult to know what actually applied to my individual situation.
Some of my biggest questions were whether I was prioritizing the right experiences, how to identify programs where I would be a good fit, and how to build meaningful mentorship rather than simply collecting observerships or letters of recommendation. More than anything, I was looking for guidance that was personalized rather than generic, so I could make informed decisions at each stage of the Match process.”
Was there a particular conversation, experience, or moment during your time with RotationSync that changed the way you thought about your journey or gave you more confidence?
“Working with Dr. Karmali had the biggest impact on me.”
“Working with Dr. Karmali had the biggest impact on me. What stood out was that his advice was never one-size-fits-all, he took the time to understand my individual circumstances, strengths, and goals before offering guidance on everything from program selection to building my application. Just as memorable was watching him interact with his patients. Even on busy days, he never seemed rushed with them. The patience and compassion he showed made me stop more than once and think, "That's the kind of physician I hope to be someday."
Looking back, what do you think you gained that you weren't expecting?
“Without question, I gained a mentor. I expected to gain clinical experience, but I didn’t expect to build a relationship with someone who was genuinely invested in my long-term growth. I know I’ll continue seeking Dr. Karmali’s guidance throughout residency and beyond, and I’m incredibly grateful that RotationSync made that connection possible.
“I know I’ll continue seeking Dr. Karmali’s guidance throughout residency and beyond, and I’m incredibly grateful that RotationSync made that connection possible.”
I also didn’t expect how much confidence I would gain. Being trusted to present patients, discuss management plans, and actively participate in clinical conversations made me realize I had more to contribute than I initially gave myself credit for. By the end of the rotation, I wasn’t just observing; I felt more prepared and more confident stepping into the role of a future resident.”
If another international medical graduate asked you, "Is this journey worth it?" what would you tell them?
“Absolutely! But I would tell them not to chase experiences just to strengthen the CV. In fact, I believe the focus should be on becoming a better physician with every opportunity you're given. If you stay curious, ask questions, seek feedback, and build genuine relationships with the people around you, you'll gain far more than another line on your application.”
Five years from now, what do you hope you'll remember most about this season of your life?
“I hope I’ll remember the people who believed in me and invested in my growth before they had any reason to.”
“I hope I'll remember the people who believed in me and invested in my growth before they had any reason to. Along with the challenges, uncertainty, and countless hours spent preparing for the next step, those relationships are what I'll value most. They've shown me the impact a mentor can have, and I hope that one day I'll be able to have that same impact on someone else.”
Dr. Pakalapati joined RotationSync in May 2026 and completed an Internal Medicine clinical rotation with Dr. Karmali.
During her time with Dr. Karmali, Dr. Pakalapati experienced engaging case presentations, independent patient interactions, high-yield chalk talks, and so much more.
What's one thing you wish someone had told you before you started your U.S. residency journey?
“I wish someone had told me that you don't have to have every step of the journey figured out from the beginning. The path evolves as you gain experience, meet new people, and learn more about yourself. It's okay to adjust your plans along the way. That's part of the process, not a sign that you're falling behind.”
Interested in exploring next steps in your U.S. residency journey? Let’s connect!
Email: rotationsync@gmail.com
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