Mahima Kotamreddy (UMASS Medical School, Class of 2026) has been a scribe with Dr. Novikov Wellness and Skin Care for a year, and will be turning the pages of her next chapter this fall as she enters UMASS Medical School. Her interest in medicine, though, has been lifelong.
“Since I was young, I have had interest in the human body and how it functions,” she said.
Pursing a path related to medicine was natural. Mahima has a younger brother with autism and is nonverbal.
“Learning how to communicate and care for his needs fostered my desire to take care of others at an early age,” she said.
Throughout high school she had an interest in biology and a knack for math. She realized that she enjoyed the problem-solving aspect when given tools to work out a solution. Her program of study at Northeastern University included both math and biology, which gave her a great foundation to pursue research opportunities and other healthcare opportunities.
Valuable experience gained
In the past year as a scribe, Mahima has been able to be part of a team that supports her as she has gained valuable experience in a clinical setting. She has been exposed to patient experiences and been challenged to continue to learn.
Insurance has been one area that she has been able to learn more about. It has helped her to understand the realities of how different plans can hinder certain aspects of patient care.
She has also had the opportunity to be exposed to the nursing home environment.
“The unique thing about our practice is we see patients in different settings,” she said. “We see care in a private care setting as well as nursing homes; it’s a hard combo to come by.”
Mahima finds the variety exciting with each day different than the last.
She is unsure of what her specialty will ultimately be, but has developed an appreciation for wound healing.
“It is satisfying to see the healing progress,” she said.
Scribe opportunity is an immersive experience
Her scribe role has been a unique opportunity.
“I have so much one on one time with providers,” she said. “Not many scribing opportunities have the education aspect too. I am able to ask further questions, ask more about the provider’s backgrounds, and build relationships that I know will last for a long, long time.”
The education aspect of her scribe experience has been beneficial for Mahima.
“There are weekly opportunities to hear from different providers,” she said. “It’s a small practice and we are a part of the conversation as to what goes into a patient’s care. We hear medical terminology, what it entails and have the time to discuss it later. There are so many learning opportunities.”
Workshops are regularly offered – some medical related, such as suturing techniques, and some to assist with the medical school applications and interview process. Those opportunities have helped Mahima to build confidence.
“The providers’ assistance and feedback gave me tools to how to succeed in the application and interview process,” she said. “I wouldn’t have gotten that from anywhere else. I feel good about going to medical school. The exposure in the field and what to expect in medical school has made me feel more prepared. It’s truly an immersive experience and gives you the real taste of medicine.”
Mahima grew up in Framingham, MA and is happy to be able to attend medical school close to her family.