Catchin' Up With a Cookie: Sakshi Sehgal
Sakshi Sehgal
2018 College Scholar; 2021 Graduate Scholar, Medical College of Georgia
Can you start by introducing yourself?
Sakshi Sehgal (she/her) is a third-year medical student at the Medical College of Georgia. After growing up in the Atlanta area, she attended the University of Pennsylvania, where she received a Bachelor’s of Arts and Master’s of Arts in Philosophy with a Minor in Chemistry in 2021. She then pursued her Master’s in Public Health in Healthcare Management with a Certificate in Social Determinants of Health at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, graduating in 2022. She is passionate about mentorship and public service and enjoys mentoring younger students and Jack Kent Cooke Scholars, particularly those interested in medicine and public health. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends, family, and her dog, as well as painting and trying new restaurants.
What does being a Cooke Scholar mean to you?
To me, being a Cooke Scholar means community, opportunity, and inspiration. Community--because being a Cooke Scholar afforded me the opportunity to become part of a collaborative, kind, inspiring cohort (and a larger Scholar and now, Alumni, cohort) that continually uplifts each other and is there to mentor and support one another through new professional and personal experiences. Opportunity--because being a Cooke Undergraduate and Graduate Scholar has truly allowed me to explore new frontiers I never imagined possible, and I am truly indebted to the Scholarship for making this possible. Finally, being a Cooke Scholar means inspiration--from my very first Scholar’s Weekend to attending this past Scholar’s Weekend as an Alum, I have been continually inspired and motivated by every member of the Cooke community.
Tell us about a memorable moment in undergrad or graduate school.
It was pouring rain, less than forty degrees outside, and barely twelve hours to go before our first chemistry final. Marking the end of my first semester in college, a few friends from my hall and I were debating between squeezing in some last-minute studying or making the hike up to Wawa, at the corner of the freshman dorms. We decided on the latter, braving the rain and gloomy weather, and ended up having one of the best burritos I’ve ever had, and, as it turned out, one of my most favorite memories of freshman year when COVID hit the year after. Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful for all these small moments amidst the big memories of the past few years.
What is ONE THING YOU DID TO HELP TRANSITION TO YOUR FIRST YEAR OUT OF COLLEGE?
One thing I did to help transition to my first year out of college was rely on mentors and my support system; it was difficult to navigate graduating college in 2021 on the heels of the pandemic and while transitioning into my MPH program and my medical school application year. During that time, connecting with JKCF mentors was incredibly helpful, as well as connecting with my alumni network through my college and peers at the graduate school.
What was the last show you watched that you really enjoyed and highly recommended?
The last book I read that I would recommend would be “When Breath Becomes Air” by Paul Kalanithi. The inspiring memoir was truly an awe-inspiring read and one that I would definitely recommend, not just to those interested in medicine. I remember feeling so inspired and grateful after finishing the book--and passionate to keep giving back to communities like the JKCF community.
If you were to create your own cookie, what would it consist of and what name would you give it?
If I were to create my own cookie, it would have to be a combination of a soft, chewy sugar cookie, with also some gingerbread in it. I’m tempted to also include chocolate chips, but only if it didn’t contradict the gingerbread flavor and would probably call it a choco-ginger. I’m a fan of almost all cookies, though, so it would definitely be hard to narrow down to just a few flavors to pick.