Offcall Physician Spotlight: Meet Dr. Mansi Kotwal

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1. Mansi, what do you think the public most misunderstands about being a physician in 2026? I think the public, especially right now, misunderstands the intent of healthcare providers. There’s a lot of mistrust in science communities at this time. Physicians tend to go into the healthcare profession because they truly want to make a difference in people’s lives in whatever way that is – whether it’s in primary care, speciality care, or surgical care. We want to make people feel better, help them, and keep people healthy. And if that bottom line is understood, and also believed and seen by the public, I feel that would be a great first step in managing this epidemic of mistrust.

2. What would you tell a first-year resident that no one told you — but should have? I was fortunate enough to do residency in Washington D.C. where I did get my share of teaching and eye-opening conversations about this: But I feel it is very important for young medical students and residents to understand that so much of what we can do to help patients is not under our control.