Bio

Professional Experience

Director 2014-Present

HealthSecure Foundation, Atlanta, Georgia

HealthSecure Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to securing physical, mental and emotional health through awareness, education and behavior modification. It runs various programs both in the United States and in India.

I lead The Midlife Strength Project, a public health initiative focused on bringing strength training to women over 40—particularly in cultures where it is often overlooked or discouraged. This initiative emphasizes muscle health, bone strength, and injury prevention as key pillars of lifelong wellness. Through education, advocacy, and public speaking, I work to make strength training accessible and actionable.

Key Initiatives:
• Promoting strength training as a cornerstone of midlife women’s health
• Public health education on menopause, longevity, and bone health
• Breaking cultural barriers around weightlifting for women
• Hosting talks, workshops, and community events

Beyond this initiative, I continue my work with HealthSecure Foundation, providing free medical consultations for indigent populations in India, public health education, and advocacy in chronic disease prevention and palliative care in both the US and in India.

Chief Medical Officer 2013-Present

HealthSecure EMR , Atlanta, Georgia

HealthSecure EMR is an electronic medical records software system specifically designed for the correctional environment in the United States.

Oversee clinical strategy and product development for a medical software company specializing in correctional healthcare. I ensure the integration of evidence-based medical guidelines into electronic medical records to improve healthcare delivery in correctional settings.

Non-profit Telehealth Physician 2014-2024 

HealthSecure Foundation, Atlanta, Georgia

Provide free telemedicine services to patients without health insurance in India.

Internal Medicine Physician and Managing Partner 2008-2014

Dallas Medical, PLLC, Dallas, Texas 

Co-founded and managed a busy Internal Medicine practice.

Provided comprehensive outpatient care with a focus on preventive medicine and chronic disease management. Managed all aspects of clinical practice operations, patient care, and medical decision-making.

Internal Medicine Physician 2004-2006

Managing Partner 2006-2008

Medical Specialists Associated, PLLC, Dallas, Texas

Provided outpatient internal medicine care with a focus on chronic disease management and preventive health. Participated in physician education, case discussions, and collaborative care initiatives.

Affiliate Staff Physician 2004-2014

Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, Dallas, Texas 

Provided learning opportunities for residents and students. Participated in CME activities.

Trained and mentored medical residents in an ambulatory clinic setting. Served on a hospital panel addressing private practice challenges and actively participated in physician orientation, staff meetings, and professional development initiatives.

Adjunct Instructor of Mathematics 1996-1997

Millsaps College, Jackson, MS

High School Mathematics Teacher 1995-1996

Jackson Preparatory School, Jackson, MS

Research and Community Activities

Fulbright Research Grant 2017-2018

Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India

  • Obesity in India: Perceptions and Attitudes of Healthcare Providers. A mixed methods study to develop training programs on obesity management for physicians.
  • Develop short social media videos on nutrition and physical activity to reach adolescents in Tamil Nadu for obesity prevention. 
  • Engaged with stakeholders such as doctors, dietitians, teachers, parents, students, local food related businesses and policymakers with regards to nutritional health.

Public Health Field Practicum   2015

Institute for Behavioral and Community Health

School of Public Health, MPH program

San Diego State University, San Diego, California

  • Developed Manual of Procedures for a CDC Demonstration Project, Our Choice, a childhood obesity prevention and treatment program in Imperial County, CA.
  • Engaged with community health workers in Our Choice.
  • Networked with educators, community leaders, school policy makers and physicians as part of the San Diego County Childhood Obesity Initiative, Community Health Improvement Partners.

Other Academic Research

  • A cross-sectional study of relationships between eating behaviors, weight perception and mental health of college students in India. Master’s thesis, Dec 2016.
  • A summary review of clinical trials in India for treatment and prevention of iron-deficiency anemia. Master’s independent study, May 2016.
  • Eating behaviors, knowledge of anemia, and attitudes towards iron supplementation in relation to anemia: a qualitative study. Master’s field work, July 2016.
  • Maternal diet during pregnancy, and attitudes towards child feeding – qualitative study to explore decreasing trends in breastfeeding in India, and possible relation to childhood obesity. Master’s internship, July 2016.

Community Activities

  • Chief Health Officer and member of COVID-19 Mitigation Committee for Hideaway, TX. April 2020-April 2022
  • Monthly health column for city newspaper, Hideaway Lake News. Sept 2019-April 2022
  • Mentoring young Indian entrepreneurs who start new businesses with microloans and guiding them through the startup and early growth phases

Invited Guest Lectures

  • India’s COVID-19 Surge: Busting Myths, Reducing Fear and Finding Hope – multiple colleges, businesses and communities virtually. 2021.
  • COVID-19 in India: Learning to Live With a New Normal – multiple colleges and communities virtually. 2020.
  • Eating Behaviors, Genetics and Obesity: Unique Challenges in the Indian Population. International Dietetic Conference, Madurai, India. 2016.
  • The Obesity Epidemic – Beyond Diet and Exercise. SD Association for Rational Inquiry. 2016.
  • Obesity in India – Challenges in a Developing Nation – Lady Doak College & Fatima College, Madurai, India. 2016.
  • Obesity Prevention in the Preconception Period among Young Women of India – Lady Doak College, Madurai, India. 2015.

Education

  • 2016 MPH, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
  • 2004 Residency, Internal Medicine, Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, Dallas, TX
  • 2002 Internship, Diagnostic Radiology, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX
  • 2001 M.D., University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
  • 1996 Master’s Coursework in Mathematics, Mississippi College, Clinton, MS
  • 1992 B.S. in Physics, With Highest Distinction, Purdue University, W. Lafayette, IN 

Licenses/Certifications

  • Texas Medical License (2004-2024)
  • India Medical License (2018-Present)
  • Certified Personal Trainer, NASM (2024)
  • Certificate in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Bryn Mawr College (2021)
  • Certified Correctional Health Professional, NCCHC (2018)
  • Board Certification, American Board of Internal Medicine (2004, 2014)
  • Board Certification, American Board of Obesity Medicine (2016)
  • Secondary School Teacher’s Certification, Mississippi Private School Association (1995)

Awards/Honors

  • Phi Kappa Phi, San Diego State University
  • Alpha Omega Alpha, University of Mississippi Medical Center
  • Phi Beta Kappa, Purdue University
  • Outstanding Senior Woman, Purdue University
  • Outstanding Senior, Department of Physics, Purdue University
  • Golden Key, Alpha Lambda Delta, Phi Eta Sigma, Purdue University

Personal Interests

  • Cooking, travel, interior decoration, landscaping, native plants, painting, hiking, watching fantasy anime, reading mystery and fantasy novels, learning Spanish.