Saniya Chandy, Alumni

I was drawn to the KP LAUNCH program because I wanted exposure to healthcare beyond what I could learn in a textbook or an anatomy class, especially in mental health. My interest in healthcare grew from my experience as a caregiver for my father when he faced a serious medical condition. Managing appointments, observing treatments, and supporting him through both physical and emotional challenges taught me resilience, empathy, and the importance of culturally competent care. As a first-generation student, I’ve also been passionate about creating opportunities for others, and KP LAUNCH offered a way to both learn and later share that knowledge with my community.

I was selected as one of 16 paid mental health interns from over 2,000 applicants, earning admission as a sophomore to this highly competitive, full-time, 40-hour-per-week program typically prioritized for juniors and seniors. During the internship, I gained hands-on clinical experience while shadowing and debriefing 28 therapy sessions across age groups in both in-person and telehealth settings. I participated in 24+ clinical seminars, case consultations, and specialty talks, applying DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, psychotherapy models such as CBT, DBT, and ACT, and psychological theories to real-world cases. Weekly doctoral-level didactics on the Unified Protocol and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, as well as a final case study presentation to mental health professionals, reinforced both my clinical skills and critical thinking.

Beyond technical learning, KP LAUNCH challenged me to think critically and approach care with empathy and professionalism. Mental health care is highly observational and subjective, and the program helped me question assumptions, interpret nonverbal cues, and understand the importance of cultural humility. Weekly JEDI discussions, networking with psychologists, psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, and other clinicians, and mentorship from experienced staff deepened my respect for interdisciplinary teamwork and compassionate care.

This experience was one of the most impactful of my life. Shadowing therapy sessions and engaging with staff reinforced my passion for psychiatry while inspiring me to pursue mental health advocacy and healthcare policy. It also strengthened my commitment to giving back: as a first-generation student, I now share the lessons and opportunities I’ve gained with others in my community, mentoring peers and encouraging them to explore healthcare careers. KP LAUNCH shaped not only how I think and communicate, but also how I envision my future: centered on service, equity, and meaningful impact in mental and physical health care.