How An East Setauket Mom Inspired Daughter's Health Care Career

STONY BROOK, NY — Haarika Korlipara’s interest in medicine was sparked at a young age when she and her mother, Anuja Korlipara, visited the grocery store. Anuja is an advanced rehabilitation medicine physician at St. Charles Hospital, according to a news release from Catholic Health.

"There were many times when we would be food shopping and a former patient would stop my
mom to say hello and talk. She was like a celebrity," Haarika said via news release. "Even at a young age, I could see the positive impact she had on each of their lives. That was very inspiring to me."

Haarika is now following in the footsteps of her mother and is in her fourth year at the
Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University. Anuja graduated medical school in her native India before moving to the United States in 1994. She joined Catholic Health in 2003.

Haarika, drawing inspiration from her mom, decided health care would be the career path she walked.

"I always encouraged her to go and do whatever she wanted," Dr. Korlipara said of her daughter. "She was taught to have good values, get a good education and be able to stand on her own two feet. But it was clear during high school that she was going to pursue something in science."

Anuja did not pressure her daughter to choose a specific career path, but once Haarika decided on the medical field, her mother did provide some advice.

"I told her that being a doctor requires life-long learning," Dr. Korlipara said. "It will also be
important for her to choose the right career path and understand that what you will be doing will
make a difference in people’s lives."

Haarika learned her mom’s advice was spot on and that pursuing her dream has given her even greater admiration for the work her mother did to become a doctor.

"Going through medical school has given me a new perspective on the challenges my mother
faced to get into the field of health care," Haarika said. "It has definitely been challenging, but
being able to tap into my mother’s experience and knowledge for guidance has been a big help."

Haarika is considering specializing in internal medicine. Her mother supports her decision and offered her daughter some sage advice.

"My mother has told me to face obstacles and use adversity to make me stronger," Haarika said. "She also stressed the importance to always be kind with patients and to value those relationships."