Sarita Mohanty, MD

Class of: 1998

Specialty
Internal Medicine

Current practice 
Kaiser Permanente – The Permanente Medical Group (TPMG)

What is a fond memory of your time at BUSM? 
BUSM brings back so many fond memories. I remember the enduring passion of the faculty, staff, and students. I appreciated the academic rigor of the medical school curriculum, which included exposure to a wide array of patients, disorders, and clinical challenges. Most importantly, BUSM afforded me the opportunity to serve a diverse population of patients, many of whom were low-income. Right from the start of my first year of medical school, I began to witness how ‘social determinants of health’ impact the total health of a patient. As part of my Albert Schweitzer Fellowship in Year 4, I was given a chance to work with Upham’s Corner Health Center in Dorchester. My career commitment to improve the health and well-being of vulnerable populations was cultivated through my BUSM training.

Favorite professor or course at BUSM?  
The late Dr. Dick A. J. Brown was one of the most influential teachers and mentors during my medical education at BUSM. A recipient of numerous distinguished teaching awards, Dr. Brown was an incredible human being who left a lasting impression on so many students during his tenure at BUSM. He had a dedication, passion, and kindness that was unprecedented. During my 3rd year OB/GYN rotation, I recall being so nervous when having to conduct my first pelvic exam. Dr. Brown recognized my anxiety and promptly and without hesitation scheduled one-on-one time with me to walk me through the procedure with such patience and thoughtfulness. After that day, I never lost my confidence during that rotation, always knowing that Dr. Brown would be in my corner.

What is your most recent accomplishment? 
In January 2021, I was hired to be the new president and CEO of The SCAN Foundation, which is one of the largest foundations in the United States that focuses on improving the quality of health and life for older adults. My goal is to shift the paradigm about aging by supporting the implementation of new coordinated, person-centered models that bring about optimum, equitable health and social outcomes, particularly for those living with complex needs and in underserved communities. I also intend to help foster innovative policies that effectively respond to older Americans’ healthcare needs. I am very excited about this phase of my career while also continuing to practice as an internal medicine physician.

What are your hobbies outside of work? 
I enjoy traveling internationally, reading, playing tennis, and spending quality time with my husband, three children, and our dog, Apollo.

What are your academic appointments?
Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, Adjunct Associate Professor

Recent publications?  
Stone S, Mohanty SA, Grudzen C, Lorenz KA, Asch SM. Emergency Department Research in Palliative Care: Challenges in Recruitment. Journal of Palliative Medicine, Issue 12.10, October 2009

Stone SC, Mohanty SA, McClung CD. Treatment preferences: impact of risk and benefit in decision-making. J Palliat Med. 2010 Jan; 13(1): 39-44; quiz 44-7.

Shah R, Chen C, O’Rourke S, Lee M, Mohanty SA, Abraham J. Evaluation of care management for the uninsured. Med Care. 2011 Feb; 49(2): 166-71.

14. Grudzen CR, Stone SC, Mohanty SA, Asch SM, Lorenz KA, Torres JM, Morrison M, Ortiz JM, Timmermans S. “I want to be taking my own last breath”: patients’ reflections on illness when presenting to the emergency department at the end of life. J Palliat Med. 2011 Mar;14(3):293-6. Epub