Modeling, Medicine, and the Match: IMG & Model Abhilasha on Confidence and Culture

Abhilasha joins Surgeon, Interrupted to share her story as an international medical graduate, model, and soon-to-be resident—challenging the narrow ideas of what a “serious doctor” looks like. From growing up in India with Air Force parents to researching hepatology at Duke and navigating the U.S. Match, she’s learned to balance medicine with creativity, confidence, and self-care.

Together, we unpack how women in medicine can reject judgment, keep their hobbies, and still be taken seriously. Abhilasha talks about her modeling journey, dealing with criticism, and finding power in doing both.

Topics include:

• The IMG experience and applying for residency in the U.S.
• Modeling, self-image, and bias in medicine
• Why hobbies matter for burnout prevention
• The cultural shift toward multidimensional doctors

Host: Frances Mei Hardin, MD

Guest: Abhilasha K

Connect with Abhilasha: @kato_nato

Presented by: The Hippocratic Collective

Following Frances Mei on Instagram & Tiktok @francesmeimd

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00:00 – Intro: Meet Abhilasha

Frances Mei introduces Abhilasha — an international medical graduate from India, researcher at Duke, and model redefining what a doctor looks like.

02:00 – From India to Duke: The IMG Journey

Abhilasha shares her path from med school in India to research in gastroenterology and hepatology at Duke University.

06:00 – When Mentors Said “Hide It”

Frances Mei reflects on being told to leave modeling off her application — and the double standards women face in medicine.

08:00 – Beauty, Bias, and Early Criticism

Abhilasha recounts how body comments and early discouragement shaped her confidence — and why she kept pursuing modeling anyway.

10:00 – A Medical Emergency Before Step 2

The story of an unexpected anaphylactic shock right before her exam — and what it taught her about the U.S. healthcare system.

13:00 – Making Modeling Part of Medicine

Abhilasha explains how she lists modeling in her residency application — and how program directors actually respond.

16:00 – When Hobbies Save You From Burnout

Frances Mei and Abhilasha discuss how creative outlets like modeling and dance can prevent burnout and make better doctors.

19:00 – Judgment and Authenticity Online

The reality of being a visible doctor on social media — from criticism to reclaiming your identity.

23:00 – Why Some Doctors Lose Their Hobbies

Frances Mei opens up about losing herself during residency — and how she sees a new generation doing it differently.

25:00 – Culture Shift: Medicine Meets Art

Abhilasha talks about finding community with other creative physicians like @dancingurodoc and how that changed her outlook.

30:00 – Skills That Overlap: Modeling and Medicine

Adaptability, presence, teamwork — how modeling unexpectedly sharpened her clinical skills.

33:00 – Toxic Mentors and “Malignant” Programs

Abhilasha shares the story of a rotation gone wrong — and what it revealed about power in medicine.

36:00 – The Doctors We Want to Be

What good mentorship looks like, why approachability matters, and how some doctors inspire change just by being kind.

38:30 – Abhilasha’s Parting Wisdom

Her message to all future doctors: make time for yourself, protect your peace, and remember — people will talk either way.

41:00 – Closing Thoughts: Give Them Something Good to Talk About

Frances Mei wraps up with a reflection on confidence, culture, and redefining what it means to be a “serious” doctor.