Mohammad Khan, M.D., M.P.H.

What this award means: This award is meaningful to me because it represents a commitment to humanism in medicine. Coming from a low-income background and as a first-generation college student, I have always felt a strong responsibility to support and uplift those around me. Throughout medical school, I have tried to carry that forward through mentorship, tutoring, and service. Small acts of support and encouragement can have a lasting impact.

Mentor comment: Mohammad, a co-President of the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society, is a gifted leader. He entered UTSW as a Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP) student and has been a champion of students from underprivileged backgrounds, encouraging them to achieve academic excellence. He supervised many AOA programs that have enriched the educational experience of students and is an exceptional student himself. – Kevin Klein, M.D., Professor of Anesthesiology & Pain Management and Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery

Background and family: I was born in Pakistan and moved to Texas at age 6. My parents worked incredibly hard to create opportunities for our family, often sacrificing their own comfort so that my siblings and I could pursue education. Growing up, I saw firsthand the challenges many families face when navigating systems like healthcare and higher education without guidance or resources. Those experiences instilled in me a deep appreciation for perseverance, community, and service.

College: After receiving my associate’s degree in high school, I attended Texas A&M University in College Station and earned a bachelor’s in biomedical sciences with a double major in entomology and minor in psychology. Directly after undergrad, I started medical school at UTSW as a dual-degree M.D./M.P.H. student.

What led to your career path: As I progressed through school and eventually medical training, I found myself drawn not only to the science of medicine but also to the human stories behind it; the opportunity to listen, support, and advocate for patients during some of the most vulnerable life moments. That interest deepened and ultimately led me to pursue psychiatry, where I hope to combine my passion for understanding people with a commitment to caring for underserved communities.

UTSW activities: I have served as a Student Academic Support Services tutor, helping support medical students in preclinical courses. I am also one of the Alpha Omega Alpha co-Presidents, assisting with mentorship and service initiatives. Additionally, I served on the PRE+OP committee, helping organize orientation programming for incoming medical students, and have volunteered with Union Gospel Mission free clinics.

What words describe your UTSW experience: Growth, resilience, mentorship, service, and community.

One tip for medical school success: Focus on consistency rather than perfection. Medical school can feel overwhelming – but steady effort, taking care of yourself, and leaning on your classmates and mentors makes the journey manageable and meaningful.

Favorite way to relieve stress: I enjoy weightlifting, playing board and card games with friends, and top-rope rock climbing!

Surprising fact: People are always shocked to hear I was an entomology double major in college. However, the study of bugs is deeply intertwined with infectious diseases and public health!

Future plans: I will be starting my psychiatry residency right here at UT Southwestern. Ultimately, I hope to work as a consultation-liaison psychiatrist at a large, urban academic teaching hospital. I am interested in a career that blends an inpatient consult service with teaching trainees while also maintaining an outpatient panel of underserved patients.

About the award: The Reynolds Award honors the late Dr. Reynolds, a UTSW alumnus and faculty member remembered as a gifted pathologist and generous person. The recipient is selected based on humanitarian qualities.