
The inspiration to one day become a doctor hit Chetna Batra hard—literally.
“I was 4, and I was jumping on the table,” Chetna said. Of course, she fell and landed on her face. She was then whisked away to a hospital emergency room, where she found herself fascinated by the medical professionals who tended to her.
“I had to get stitches on my eyebrow,” Chetna said. “It was my first time at a hospital, and when I walked in, I was scared. I was scared by the needle that I saw and having so many people around me.
“But when the doctors laid me down and explained clearly what was happening, they made it seem so normal and under control,” she said. “They left me feeling really cared for, and I want to make a similar positive impact on other people.”
Chetna, a first-year Honors College student and Class of 2023 Presidential Scholar, is studying biology with an eye on biomedical science. The intersection of health care and technology intrigues her, and she has plans to eventually attend medical school.
“I think the research aspect of medicine is interesting—constantly thinking of new, customized ways to provide health care,” she said. “I’d love to be a part of a break-through.”
Chetna, a recent graduate of Milton High School, also plans to minor in Spanish. She already is bilingual, speaking English and Hindi.
“Another way you can show care for people is making the effort to learn their language,” she said. “Better communication leads to better understanding and helps you make connections.”
For more information about the Presidential Scholarship or to apply, go to https://honors.gsu.edu/the-presidential-scholarship/