White Coat Profiles – Anekha Pallamreddy

The White Coat Ceremony marks the first time a medical student will don his or her white coat, the defining symbol of a physician. The coat bestows a great honor on each student, and with it comes a responsibility to uphold the trust of every patient they will encounter. The Class of 2030 will receive their white coats on July 17 during a ceremony that begins at 3:30 p.m. in the North Ballroom of the Phoenix Convention Center.

Meet Anekha Pallamreddy

Before going to Tucson for her undergrad at the University of Arizona — Bear Down! — Anekha Pallamreddy grew up in Chandler with her parents and younger brother. Growing up, she loved math, even so far as to join competitions and clubs in school like MathCounts and, later, Mu Alpha Theta.

This is where Pallamreddy first started peer tutoring and became more interested in teaching. Alongside tutoring, she used to volunteer at her local library and nearby hospital while she was in high school.

These experiences fostered Pallamreddy’s interest in community outreach and patient care, which — coupled with her interest in teaching — led her to pursue a career in medicine. 

Throughout her educational journey, Pallamreddy’s parents have been her biggest supporters. Whether it was driving her to math competitions on early Saturday mornings or helping reassure her when she hit roadblocks in undergrad, they were a constant source of support.

Path toward Medicine

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

While I don’t think I had a singular “a-ha!” moment when I realized that I wanted to pursue this career, I would definitely say that volunteering at a hospital in high school was very impactful to my decision. Although I had a limited role as a volunteer, being able to talk to patients about their concerns and helping to provide them with some comfort during their long hospital stays were some of the most memorable interactions I’ve had in any clinical setting. 

I realized that beyond providing quality health care, great patient care stemmed from genuine human interaction and open communication. The lessons I learned as a volunteer have shaped how I conduct myself in every clinical setting I’ve been in since, as I hope to foster sincere, supportive relationships with all my patients. 

Did you do any volunteering in health fields prior to medical school?

I volunteered both in high school and undergrad. In high school, I was a part of the VolunTeen program with Dignity Health, where I got to help assist cafeteria staff with cleaning, restocking and delivering patient trays. In undergrad, I worked with Street Medicine Tucson to help provide free health care to the homeless community in Tucson’s downtown and public parks. I also volunteered as a transporter at the VA hospital in Tucson. I was able to take patients and their families to and from the ED and various other parts of the hospital. 

The College of Medicine – Phoenix

Why did you choose the College of Medicine – Phoenix?

As a lifelong Arizonan, I’ve always felt that our diverse, vibrant state is so vast yet still so close knit. Living in Phoenix is the epitome of this experience, as I’ll be able to work with Arizonans from across the Valley who hail from all different backgrounds, yet all share residence in the state I call home. The College of Medicine – Phoenix’s commitment to enriching students in community outreach and clinical experiences across all four years of schooling drove me to choose to study medicine here. I’m confident that my education will prepare me to deliver compassionate care to all Arizonans.

What excites you most about beginning medical school?

New beginnings mean new friendships! I’m most excited to meet my new classmates and become part of a community of bright, driven and talented future physicians. 

Significance of the White Coat

What does the white coat mean to you?

For me, the white coat is a manifestation of the countless years of perseverance it has taken to get to this point. Although there is still some time before I can officially consider myself a doctor, it’s an honor to be able to celebrate the start of medical school alongside my loved ones and fellow classmates. As I progress through my medical education, my white coat will be a reminder of not only the hard work I’ve put in, but of the people who are supporting me every step of the way.