Meet Our Scholars

Graduate Student Raised inside of their family-owned Liquor Store small business, Kishan witnessed first-hand how healthcare disparities disenfranchise minority and underserved populations.  After years of navigating mental health struggles and traversing the healthcare conglomerate, he realized that the current healthcare framework marginalizes those that do not have allies within the system. Kishan became inspired to care for his community – the underserved immigrant and LGBTQ+ populations of Southern California  – by becoming a physician and changing how these communities experience the healthcare system from within. After his matriculation to the University of California – Riverside School of Medicine, Kishan has focused on bridging these healthcare disparities. He co-led the expansion of LGBTQ+ medical curriculum at the UCR SOM to ensure medical students are prepared to care for the LGBTQ+ community. He is involved with LGBTQ+ health advocacy by serving on the planning committee for the SoCal LGBTQIA+ Health Conference. In addition, Kishan volunteers with free clinics rooted in the communities they serve – including clinics devoted to mental health for underserved LGBTQ+ patients. Kishan teaches Ultrasound and Medical Simulations to underclassmen and has obtained Clinical Faculty designation for his contributions to the medical education. In his free time, Kishan enjoys exploring new shows and movies, and hiking the countless trails around Southern California. Kishan will be pursing a residency in Emergency Medicine to provide quality care to the most underserved, vulnerable members of his community and will continue to be a fearless advocate committed to bridging healthcare disparities.