Introducing Saranya Chowdary Kodali to Texas Oncology–San Antonio Northeast
Dr. Saranya Chowdary Kodali shares her inspiration for cancer care and her favorite activities outside of work.
Saranya Chowdary Kodali, M.D., hematologist and medical oncologist, is now seeing patients at Texas Oncology–San Antonio Northeast. Dr. Kodali shares her approach to cancer care and a piece of advice she would share with her younger self.
1. How do you approach making difficult medical decisions with your patients?
I sit with my patients and their families and guide them through my thoughts and recommendations. Then, we make a shared medical decision based on their treatment goals. It’s also important to me to take the time to answer all their questions and check in periodically throughout the conversation to make sure they understand everything.
2. How has your career shaped who you are?
Cancer is hard, and family support is important. I’ve learned from watching my patients and their families that it takes a village to support someone going through cancer. It makes me feel lucky to have a supportive husband, amazing children, caring parents and in-laws, and wonderful extended family in India.
3. What inspired you to specialize in cancer care?
I enjoy treating patients holistically, rather than focusing on just one facet of their care. Toward the end of medical school, I did palliative medicine and oncology rotations where I followed different patients. Through this experience, I developed a passion for oncology because it allowed me to treat the whole person. My mentor encouraged me to pursue this passion and played a huge role in directing my path toward a career in medical oncology. During my internal medicine residency and fellowship, I also conducted oncological research, which further strengthened my desire to specialize in cancer care.
4. What is your favorite food?
I like Indo-Chinese cuisine.
5. Outside of work, what do you enjoy spending your time doing?
Outside of work, I enjoy spending quality time with my children, and I’m also into home organization.
6. What’s something you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t done yet?
I’d love to travel more and create lifelong memories for myself and with my family.
7. What is one piece of advice you would give to your 18-year-old self?
I would tell my younger self that life is beautiful and there is so much to learn. Enjoy every moment, be yourself, and take it one day at a time.
1. How do you approach making difficult medical decisions with your patients?
I sit with my patients and their families and guide them through my thoughts and recommendations. Then, we make a shared medical decision based on their treatment goals. It’s also important to me to take the time to answer all their questions and check in periodically throughout the conversation to make sure they understand everything.
2. How has your career shaped who you are?
Cancer is hard, and family support is important. I’ve learned from watching my patients and their families that it takes a village to support someone going through cancer. It makes me feel lucky to have a supportive husband, amazing children, caring parents and in-laws, and wonderful extended family in India.
3. What inspired you to specialize in cancer care?
I enjoy treating patients holistically, rather than focusing on just one facet of their care. Toward the end of medical school, I did palliative medicine and oncology rotations where I followed different patients. Through this experience, I developed a passion for oncology because it allowed me to treat the whole person. My mentor encouraged me to pursue this passion and played a huge role in directing my path toward a career in medical oncology. During my internal medicine residency and fellowship, I also conducted oncological research, which further strengthened my desire to specialize in cancer care.
4. What is your favorite food?
I like Indo-Chinese cuisine.
5. Outside of work, what do you enjoy spending your time doing?
Outside of work, I enjoy spending quality time with my children, and I’m also into home organization.
6. What’s something you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t done yet?
I’d love to travel more and create lifelong memories for myself and with my family.
7. What is one piece of advice you would give to your 18-year-old self?
I would tell my younger self that life is beautiful and there is so much to learn. Enjoy every moment, be yourself, and take it one day at a time.