Introduction
In addition to primary care and community mental health, I spent part of my summer at specialty clinics in Brasília. These experiences deepened my understanding of infectious disease care, highlighted systemic inequities, and clarified my own calling toward psychiatry.
HIV and PrEP Clinics – Conversations Through Medicine
At the Hospital Universitário de Brasília (HUB), I shadowed Dr. Julianna Lapa in the PrEP and HIV clinics. My work included reviewing sexual and social histories, including vaccination history, screening for STIs, and learning the stepwise approach to prescribing PrEP and PEP.
What struck me was that these medications were not only powerful tools against HIV, but also powerful openings for conversations. Some patients came smiling despite going through incredibly traumatic experiences. Others used long lists of substances, coping with deep pain. These encounters taught me that medicine often begins with dialogue—meeting patients in the most vulnerable corners of their lives.
Research in Practice – HIV Testing and Mental Health Outreach
Alongside my clinical shadowing, I also had the chance to contribute to research alongside my mentor, Dr. Andrea Gallassi. At Instituto No Setor in Brasília and Centro POP de Taguatinga, we administered HIV tests and gave mental health screening questionnaires to willing unhoused participants. This was an opportunity to take what I had learned in the clinic—about accessibility, stigma, and continuity of care—and apply it in practice.
It was a wonderful experience that blended service and scholarship, reinforcing for me the power of research that is embedded in the community it seeks to serve. At a time when global funding for HIV research is being gutted, witnessing the incredible work this team was doing was both inspirational and a reminder that this work matters deeply.
Psychiatry at HUB – Clarifying My Path
Perhaps the most personally meaningful part of my time was at the psychiatry clinics at HUB. As someone who aspires to be a psychiatrist, I valued the chance to sit in on patient conversations, reflect with providers, and imagine my future role.
Psychiatry is demanding, but it is also profoundly rewarding. I want to be the kind of psychiatrist who creates intentional space for patients to unburden themselves, weaving through trauma, heartbreak, and hope in search of peace.
Reflection
From infectious disease clinics to psychiatry wards, Brasília reminded me that healthcare is about far more than prescriptions or protocols. It is about continuity, trust, and deep listening. My time in Brazil sharpened my vision of the kind of physician I want to become—one who listens, adapts, and builds systems rooted in care. I am and will continue to be grateful for the opportunity.
Thank you Brazil!
