Divyanka Pawaskar

I think my biggest achievement has been successfully pivoting from being a clinician to learning how to code and work with data. Initially, it was very challenging and daunting when I started learning statistics and coding, but I was able to progress from basic coding in SAS, which is what all public health professionals use, to learning R, and now I'm also using Python. As the industry is changing, we all need to learn at least a little bit about AI, and being able to do that transition and master these technical skills has been probably my biggest achievement. What makes me unique is the combination of being trained as both a dentist and an epidemiologist in public health, which gives me a really special perspective. I've also gained experience working in government with the New York State Department of Health, and I've worked with nonprofit organizations during my internships, so I have a pretty all-round perspective. I believe this combination of clinical training, public health expertise, and advanced data analysis skills is what sets me apart.

I believe one of the biggest opportunities in public health right now is the advancement of technology and AI. With AI and technology advancing, even public health needs to be on top of it and make sure we learn advanced techniques. That's why I'm working on projects that use Python to link hospital and crash data, and I'll be conducting a technical workshop next month to teach others these methods. Another major opportunity I see is in oral health integration. If you read recent research, it's proven that oral health is a mirror to your body - a lot of diseases like cardiovascular disease or diabetes are first reflected in your oral cavity. But if you go to a hospital, you might not find a dental clinic integrated in that hospital, so if you want to get your oral health care addressed, you might want to go to a different provider. Dental and medical health is not integrated, but it's important that we integrate it and not segregate both. That's something I want to advocate for in the coming future, because I believe I can bring some change.

What really drives me is addressing socioeconomic disparities and making sure that everyone has equitable access to healthcare. My research informs policies to ensure we're serving underserved communities. When I was doing my bachelor's in dentistry at a hospital that provided free care, I saw patients who traveled miles just for dental care, and I became curious about the system-level challenges they were facing - financial challenges and lack of knowledge. I saw how patients would often come to get care only after there was no other option left than extracting their teeth. I had one patient in their early 40s who didn't have a single tooth, and after I made a complete denture for them, I could see how much more confident and happier she became. That experience made me realize that I don't only want to serve patients who come to my clinic, but I also want my community to have access to the knowledge, and even if I cannot serve them, I want to guide them to the right direction and the right provider where they can get all the help they need. I feel very passionate about oral health and public health, and I believe I can bring some change in the future.