Aairah Bhatti - Undergraduate Student | Founder, From Policy to Patient │ Influential Women

About Aairah

Aairah Bhatti is an undergraduate at the Georgia Institute of Technology studying biology with a minor in Health Policy & Economics. Her interests lie at the intersection of medicine, health policy, research, and advocacy. She is the founder of From Policy to Patient, an educational initiative exploring how policy decisions shape patients' healthcare experiences long before they enter the clinical setting.

Alongside her studies, Aairah is an undergraduate clinical research intern with Emory University School of Medicine's Grady Trauma Project, where she is gaining experience in patient-centered clinical research. Her clinical experiences have further shaped her interest in understanding healthcare not only at the level of individual patient care, but also through the systems and policies that influence access and outcomes.

Aairah has also been involved in Model United Nations for several years as a delegate and student leader, earning recognition at regional and national conferences and taking on conference leadership and mentorship roles. Her experiences in public speaking, policy discussion, and collaborative problem-solving helped inspire her to find meaningful ways to connect her interest in policy with her path toward medicine. She hopes to continue exploring the relationship between medicine, research, health policy, and advocacy to understand methods in improving patient experiences and underserved communities. Aairah is featured in the Influential Women 2026 edition.

Ten minutes with Aairah

01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I’d tell young women to achieve the impossible. It’s possible, but you have to believe that first. One thing I’ve learned is that you don’t need your entire career figured out to begin exploring what matters to you. Don’t be afraid to tackle the uncomfortable. And don’t feel pressured to fit all of your interests into one box. For me, medicine, policy, research, and advocacy initially felt like separate interests, but over time I’ve realized that they can complement each other. I’m so excited to continue exploring this intersection. Stay curious, be willing to learn, and don’t underestimate how much can come from taking that first step.