May 2010
Sadiya Khan, MD
- Elected to AOA in Medical School
- Teaching Award winner in residency
- Author of multiple papers and presentations about heart failure
- view pdf
Why did you choose cardiology?
I became interested in the field of cardiology as third-year medical student rotating through the heart failure service. Both the natural physiology and the alterations that lead to different disease states of the heart have always fascinated me. I also enjoy procedures and I am interested in the various clinical tools available in cardiology that can make a direct impact in patient care and quality of life (eg. PCI, EPS). Additionally, there is a rich environment of ongoing clinical research that directs evidence-based decisions in the day-to-day clinical setting.
What are your clinical interests?
I would like to combine my interests in clinical cardiology with translational research. During my undergraduate research, I worked in a basic science lab demonstrating the differentiation potential of endothelial progenitor cells from whole blood. As a medical student, I had my first exposure to clinical research and had the unique opportunity to work with Dr. Mihai Gheorghiade looking at prognostic clinical indicators of outcomes in patients admitted with acute heart failure. I am excited to continue integrating my interest in basic and clinical research as a member of the Physician Scientist Training Pathway at Northwestern.
How do you achiever work-life balance as an Intern?
I think one of the hardest things as an intern is to be able to leave work at work. We spend so much time at work and with our patients that often when they're sick and not doing well, it's hard to not want to check up on them. Thankfully, having an electronic medical records system makes that very doable. My co-interns, co-residents, friends and family are a huge support and I couldn't have gotten through this year without them.
Tell us more about your background
I spent most of my childhood in England before moving across the Atlantic to Cleveland. Sadly, after the move I quickly lost my British accent. I moved to Chicago for college at Northwestern and have not left since. I completed a degree in Biomedical Engineering, which provided a unique perspective into practical technological applications in an evolving health-care field. I loved my experience at Northwestern as a medical student and was thrilled to be able to stay as a resident.
Where can we find you after hours?
I have recently had my first exposure to the Wii gaming system and am trying to work on my Wii tennis skills. I love reading and am always looking for new suggestions for books. I am an avid Cleveland sports fan and am looking forward to watching an exciting NBA post-season with LBJ and the Cavs. I really enjoy trying new restaurants and have with my limited time during intern year tired to explore different neighborhoods in Chicago. However, my favorite restaurant is still Bandera which is just a few blocks away on Michigan Ave.
