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Class Year: 2025

Program: Doctor of Medicine

“Just write.” 

Fourth-year School of Medicine student Sajal Kulhari has written and published several research papers on anesthesiology and pain management. Still, his recommendation to write is rooted in self-expression, creativity and offering an outlet during difficult times.

Kulhari says writing just for yourself promotes self-discovery and is therapeutic when life gets challenging.

“You don't have to publish it anywhere. You don't have to share it with anyone,” said Kulhari. “Just write because it's helpful on a personal level.”

This year, the California native’s prose, was published in Anesthesiology. Written during his third year—often described as the toughest year of medical school—Kulhari’s writing touches on family sacrifices and seeing his peers begin life journeys that he’s put on hold—all while striving to gain as much medical experience as possible.

“I wrote about something that may seem personal, but I think it resonates with most medical students,” said Kulhari, who plans to specialize in anesthesiology. “In other careers, maybe you'd be in a different place at my age—more financially stable and with more time to look after your parents, instead of your parents looking after you.” 

Kulhari has plenty of practice being far from home—he spent four years following a pre-medicine track at the University of Pennsylvania, earning a bachelor’s degree in health and societies. Though �ǿմ�ý is also far from the West Coast, he appreciates the flexibility in the Doctor of Medicine program. Earlier this year he completed a rotation at the University of California, Los Angeles, to be closer to his family. As an only child, he says the opportunity to conduct research and rotations near home was invaluable.

“It means the world to my parents that I'm finally able to be here,” said Kulhari. “I'm super grateful for how much time the university gives you to personalize your own journey through medical school.” 

Aside from medical school and writing, Kulhari also likes to spend time with his partner, Shivani, and their 3-year-old husky, Yuki, who loves hiking in the Cleveland Metroparks. Kulhari is looking forward to Match Day 2025 and eventually beginning an anesthesiology residency.