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Dr. Harini Suresh could have been a classical musician but chose medicine instead. In college, she majored in oboe performance, with a minor in chemistry that ultimately won over as she pursued medical school. As a first-generation Indian American, she has had one foot in each culture and learned to appreciate diversity – attributes that will serve her well in the field of psychiatry.

25 years of Employment at UT Southwestern

The following faculty promotions took effect Sept. 1 at UT Southwestern. (Where more than one department is listed, the first is the primary appointment.)

Katie Sturm had nearly gotten over the shock of learning she was pregnant with quadruplets when in February she suffered a seizure at work. Diagnosed with a brain tumor, she was referred to UT Southwestern where the tumor was removed in March.

Dr. Katelynn “Katie” Smith had always wanted to be an artist – until a close family friend became terminally ill, shifting her focus. She then turned to science, and later medicine, for her career path. She aspires to work in academic medicine, balancing medical education, research, and clinical care.

Experiences with medical professionals who demonstrated compassion inspired Dr. Anika Morgado to follow suit. Gratitude for the opportunities she received in the U.S. as the child of Venezuelan immigrants led to her desire to become a physician committed to helping underserved Latinx communities.

Science has always fascinated Dr. Joshua Pierce, particularly the cellular and molecular basis of human physiology. His undergraduate interests led to a Ph.D. in molecular biology and, finally, a medical degree. As a pathologist, he looks forward to conducting clinical and translational research.

The journey to becoming a doctor took an unusual route for Dr. Thanos Rossopoulos, who had worked as an oilfield drilling engineer in India and the Middle East after earning his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering. The close friendships he made with co-workers stationed offshore for months along with volunteer work at a food pantry pulled him toward a new career path of service – and the medical field

As if graduating from medical school weren’t hard enough, Dr. Bradley Upchurch overcame a few more challenges this past year. He married his wife in a small ceremony due to the pandemic and also dealt with contracting COVID-19 himself within a day of getting a new dog. But, given he decided to focus on emergency medicine as a specialty, it seems obstacles are no match for Dr. Upchurch.

Dr. Kyle Saysana is in a unique class as a physician in that he speaks five languages and is learning a sixth. Through an international exchange program, he spent an additional year of his medical school training learning about diverse care models at hospitals in three countries. His exceptional dedication to education led to his selection as a recipient of the Hemphill-Gojer Award.