Kusha Malhotra

I attribute much of my success to discipline, which I believe is one of the most important values a person can have. Discipline creates the foundation for both professional and personal growth—it helps you stay focused, accountable, responsible, and consistent in everything you do. Whether it is showing up on time, delivering on commitments, or continuously pushing yourself to improve, discipline shapes the way you approach life and work.

I also believe humility and respect are equally important qualities. In a world where everyone is navigating their own challenges, treating people with kindness, empathy, and respect can make a lasting impact. I have found that staying grounded and approaching every opportunity with humility goes a long way in building meaningful relationships and learning from others.

Beyond my own efforts, I have been incredibly fortunate to have unwavering support from my family in India, especially my mother, father, uncle, aunt, brother and sisters. Although my parents may not have fully understood the details of my degree or career path in the United States, they always believed in me wholeheartedly. Seeing their pride, encouragement, and happiness throughout my journey has been one of my greatest sources of motivation.

I am also deeply grateful to my supervisor and mentor from my clinical practice years, who played a significant role in shaping my confidence and professional growth. He encouraged me to think beyond traditional clinical dentistry, supported my ambitions, and believed in my potential when I decided to move to the United States to pursue a new path in healthcare technology and innovation.

When I think about the people who have inspired me throughout my career and life, my parents are the first people who come to mind. Their unwavering support, encouragement, and belief in me have played a huge role in shaping who I am today. While they always had high expectations for me, it was never in a way that felt limiting, instead, it motivated me to continue growing, learning, and pushing myself to achieve more. Their support throughout my journey has been incredibly meaningful and has helped me continue developing both personally and professionally.

I am also deeply grateful to my professor and supervisor from my dentistry, who had a major influence on my career path. I worked closely with him in the clinic, and he played an important role in helping me develop my skills and confidence as a dentist. Beyond clinical practice, he encouraged me to think more broadly about healthcare and what I could achieve outside of traditional dentistry. When I shared my plans to move to the United States and pursue another degree, he was extremely supportive and believed in my ability to succeed in a completely new environment and field.

One of the things that makes me happiest today is seeing how proud my parents are of my journey. They often proudly tell others that their daughter has earned two degrees, both of which have meaning and purpose. Coming to the United States, continuing my education, and eventually securing a role within a company and field that I genuinely enjoy has been incredibly fulfilling for me. More than anything, I hope my journey keeps making my parents, my mentors, and everyone who supported me along the way proud as well.

I would say that AI is evolving at a pace no one could have imagined, which is why it is so important to stay curious and focused on improving yourself every single day. There is always something new to learn, whether it is a new tool, a new application, or a new way of thinking about problems. Even in my own role, I learn something new every day about emerging technologies, how they can be applied, and how they can create meaningful impact.

I believe AI should be used for far more than just entertainment or convenience. If you truly take the time to understand its potential, it can be leveraged to solve real problems and improve people’s lives in meaningful ways. That is ultimately what excites me most about working in healthcare AI - the opportunity to build solutions that can positively impact patients, clinicians, and healthcare systems at scale.

I would also encourage people to stay consistent and not lose motivation, even when things feel uncertain or challenging. Growth takes time, and every experience contributes to your journey in some way. If you continue learning, stay disciplined, and remain committed to your goals, things eventually work out the way they are meant to.

One of the biggest challenges and at the same time, one of the biggest opportunities in my field right now is keeping up with the rapid pace at which technology, especially AI, is evolving. The healthcare and AI landscape is changing faster than ever, with new tools, platforms, and innovations emerging almost daily. Staying current requires continuous learning, adaptability, and a willingness to constantly evolve your skill set.

At the same time, this rapid advancement creates incredible opportunities to rethink how healthcare is delivered. AI has the potential to improve clinical decision-making, streamline workflows, reduce administrative burden, and create more personalized patient experiences at scale. What excites me most is the ability to apply these technologies in ways that create meaningful, real-world impact for both healthcare organizations and patients.

I believe one of the most important things professionals can do today is remain curious and open to learning. The field is moving quickly, but for those willing to adapt and grow alongside it, there is enormous potential to shape the future of healthcare in a positive way.

Discipline has always been one of the most important values in my life. I do not believe you can truly succeed in your career or personal life without having discipline in the way you approach your responsibilities, goals, and daily habits. Discipline creates consistency and it helps you stay accountable, be responsible, manage your time effectively, and continue showing up even when things become difficult or uncertain. I believe many of the opportunities I have had in life came from staying committed, focused, and willing to put in the work consistently over time.

Beyond discipline, I also strongly value humility and respect. I believe the way we treat people matters deeply, both personally and professionally. The world already has enough negativity and challenges, so even small acts of kindness, empathy, and respect can make a meaningful difference. Staying humble allows you to continue learning from others, remain grounded in your success, and build genuine relationships with the people around you.