Volunteer Spotlight: Medical Pro Bono, Dr. Megana Dwarakanath

Our pro bono spotlight this month highlights Dr. Megana Dwarakanath, a former University of New Mexico Hospital resident who is currently completing a fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. During her time here in Albuquerque, Megana participated in NMILC-led training with UNMH staff. Organized by Dr. Shawn Sidthu, the residents volunteered their time and expertise by performing psychiatric evaluations for asylum seekers. Psychological evaluations for individuals seeking asylum are comprehensive mental health assessments taking in traumatic events in one’s country of origin and probing for an understanding about one’s lack of adequate protection and/or fear of return.

 “We need to be committed advocates at all levels of training, expertise, and power. When I think about the enormous power physicians have in determining who is sick, who is not, who needs care and support, I think making the case that people unjustly placed in detention are sick and need our care is among one of our most important uses of power,” 

- Dr. Megana Dwarakanath

 In the United States, the asylum process dictates that the burden of proof rests wholly on the individual seeking asylum. Those individuals who do not arrive with records of their abuse must establish the credibility of their testimony in court, a challenging and traumatizing task. It is here that medical pro bonos, like Dr. Dwarakanath continually play such a valuable role in the asylum process. Decision-makers often expect the individual to be able to recount their abuse consistently and in detail, despite the evidence that memories of traumatic experiences are often compromised or suppressed altogether. 

We are honored to highlight the amazing work being done by Dr. Megana Dwarakanath. Thank you for all you do for our most vulnerable communities!