Match Day Profile: Prathima Harve

Every third Friday in March, fourth-year medical students across the United States learn where the next chapter in their careers will be written. Match Day is the day when the National Resident Matching Program releases results to applicants in sealed envelopes, revealing where they will spend the next several years in residency, training in their chosen specialty. After years of preparation and study, it is a long-awaited and well-deserved day to celebrate. The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix is profiling several students for Match Day 2024.

Meet Prathima Harve

An Arizona native, Prathima Harve grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona, and attended Arizona State University. She always enjoyed science and became interested in medicine during high school through anatomy classes and her excellent teachers.

Harve credits her parents for supporting her throughout medical school, even during times when she doubted herself. She also credits her sister, husband and brother-in-law for keeping her grounded and reminding her to enjoy life as it happens — not wait until she finishes medical school to experience it.

Path Toward Medicine

What was the spark that led you to become a physician?

I’m not sure if there was a ‘spark,’ but I definitely credit several incredible teachers I had during middle and high school. They fostered my love of science and challenged me to step outside my comfort zone every step of the way.

Choosing a Specialty

Do you have a specialty? What is it and why did it interest you, or what led you to it?

Family medicine is the specialty I have applied for. In retrospect, this was really the only specialty I could have ended up in. I have always been drawn to people and building relationships with them. Being a family doctor was the perfect fit for that particular interest.

I tend to get bored doing the same thing repeatedly, and family medicine promises the opposite of a repetitive schedule. Preventive care and lifestyle medicine are two of my other passions, both of which I hope to practice daily in the future.

What’s Next

Post-Match Day, what are your goals moving forward?

I hope to stay grounded, healthy, open to opportunities and passionate about the things that brought me to medicine in the first place!

I have been blessed with people who care about me and the chance to pursue my interests, and I hope all of this culminates in me being able to help as many people as I can while doing what I love. Also, I hope to enjoy my time before life gets a bit more hectic in residency.

The College of Medicine – Phoenix Culture

What will you miss most about the College of Medicine – Phoenix? Any advice for incoming medical students?

I will miss the community. Starting medical school virtually made it hard for me to really feel at home on campus during our first year, but I’m so grateful for the lifelong friends I’ve made here and the faculty and staff who have helped all of us become some excellent future physicians.

My advice for incoming students would be to try your best not to compare yourself to your classmates. Everyone moves at their own pace in school and in life. The fact that you made it this far means you have what it takes to be whatever specialty of physician you choose to be!

Also, don’t forget to take some time off to breathe and nurture your life outside of school.