Vistrit Choudhary 32 Occupation: Health policy coordinator at SIU School of Medicine
Email: vistrit.c@gmail.com
Education: Master's degree in public policy, University of Chicago
Family: Wife, Melessia; cats, Luna and Benzene; dog, Nala
Affiliations/community activities: Rural Health Leadership fellow, National Rural Health Association; chair, Administrative Professionals Council, SIU School of Medicine
What led you to your current career?
While in college, my mother became seriously ill. It took more than a year to find a doctor who could treat her. My father took extended time off of work to care for her and ultimately lost his job. That experience left a lasting impression that made me want to pursue a degree in public policy.
What is your guiding principle?
The harder a problem is to solve, the sweeter is the satisfaction of having solved it.
What would you like your life to look like in five years? 10?
I would like to work at the intersection of policy, strategy and equity to help shape a system which prevents people from falling through the cracks.
What do you wish your younger self had known when you started on this path?
I'd remind myself that learning happens in many forms and that knowledge is never wasted. Stay engaged. Stay open. Grades are not the only indicator of intellect.
What's the best purchase (under $100) you've made in the last six months?
A $50 manual espresso maker I found on Facebook Marketplace.