As an intern at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, aspiring geriatrician Nihar Shetty is using his humanities education to create a more human- based approach to care for older patients.

Working in qualitative medical humanities research, he has helped develop a clinical study centered on patient-driven priorities rather than just medical metrics. “As patients get older, doctors often focus on numbers—like lowering blood pressure—instead of what matters most to the individual. That’s where the humanities come in,” he says. “The humanities teach us how to have the conversations needed to find those priorities and tailor care accordingly.”

With support from the HEDGE program, Nihar is bridging the gap between data and human connection. “I’m learning how to modify existing health systems to better serve patients—a skill instrumental to my future career—while making a meaningful impact on my local community.”