PA Shares Her Love of Learning: Aarti Pappu’s Story
Aarti Pappu’s path to Albany Med began more than 8,000 miles away. Originally from India, Aarti moved to the United States in 2003. She was drawn to health care, and after receiving a master’s degree in physician assistant studies, she practiced at a sleep, internal medicine and pulmonary practice in Virginia Beach. Aarti sought a more dynamic experience, and she found it at Albany Med.
There is an energy to a teaching hospital and large regional center, Aarti explained, and at Albany Med, “I have the opportunities to learn and grow. I get to meet so many people from all over the country and all over the world. I love listening to other people’s experiences and learning about other cultures. I also enjoy working with experts in their fields who have so much knowledge to share.”
Over the years, she has paid this love of learning forward. Aarti not only lectures on cardiology topics at conferences, but she also mentors students who are interested in pursuing careers as PAs—even welcoming them to shadow her. “I love sharing knowledge and helping people discover the path that’s right for them,” she said.
Aarti expanded her own scope of knowledge through Albany Med and completed her orientation in thoracic surgery right on campus. She now assists in the operating room and with bedside procedures. “I feel fortunate that I am able to work in two different specialties in the same workplace. In cardiology and now thoracic surgery, we perform so many advanced procedures, and I get to care for patients before and after them. I am awestruck by the expertise of the surgeons who are always willing to teach me and train me, and I am grateful for the opportunity to provide comfort at multiple levels of a patient’s journey.”
After 10 years at Albany Med, Aarti says she continues to be inspired by her colleagues and their mission. “When I express to someone in the community that I work at Albany Med, I feel pride and honor. I’m reminded every day that my job goes beyond what meets the eye. We are providers diagnosing and treating patients, and in doing so, we are partners on a whole family’s journey of healing.”
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