The University of Nebraska System has released the newest episode of its “Shaping the Future” video series, featuring Pranita Devaraju, a fourth-year medical student at UNMC and the current UNMC student senate president and student regent. The video series, hosted by President Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, features conversations with researchers, students and educators across NU’s four campuses who are changing lives and making an impact.
In the video, Devaraju reflects on her academic and personal journey — including earning dual undergraduate degrees in piano performance and biology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha — the connection between the arts and medicine and the important role mentorship has played during her time in medical school.
Click Play below to watch the discussion.
The daughter of a classical Indian dancer and granddaughter of a vocalist and violinist, Devaraju was surrounded by music and the arts from an early age, even playing seven instruments herself. Her father always encouraged her to pursue a career in medicine, but she was interested in a career in engineering. After a change of heart and desire for a career focused on people, she chose to major in biology and music as an undergraduate, tying together her interest in medicine and love for music.
Although training in both medicine and the arts may seem like an unlikely combination of skills, Devaraju believes they have strongly contributed to her success in medical school and as a future medical professional.
“In music school, we had master classes, where we played our pieces in front of other students and our professors at different levels of preparation — it was very vulnerable,” Devaraju said. “Everyone gives you feedback and critiques, but we learned a lot about using a collaborative tone. Being able to see every interaction as a collaboration is so important in health care. No patient wants to be lectured at. They want to work with their doctor and feel that everyone is on the same team.”
In her fourth year of music school, Devaraju was asked to join the UNO School of Music’s new student advisory board. She enjoyed working with other students and helping to be a liaison between students and campus leaders. And when she reached medical school, she knew she wanted to continue serving as a student leader. Now, as UNMC’s student senate president and student regent, she carries the responsibility to represent more than 4,500 students on her campus.
“My responsibility as student body president is to represent all students — medical, nursing, pharmacy, dental and others — and work to understand their needs and interests,” Devaraju said. “We all have different constraints and goals, so I work to show our university leaders that the student voice is important and that we can work together to find a common goal.”
President Gold praised Devaraju’s leadership and contributions to the university community and shared encouragement for her future.
“I want to thank you for all that you do as a student regent and for all that you do as the president of our student body at UNMC,” he said. “It is a pleasure and an honor to work with you, and whether your residency and fellowship programs take you out of Nebraska or not, you are always welcome here.”
New episodes of “Shaping the Future” are released monthly and feature faculty, staff and students from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, UNMC and University of Nebraska at Omaha. Topics will include athletics, counterterrorism, agriculture, student success, health care, K-12 education and many others.
Viewers can watch past episodes of “Shaping the Future” here.