Dr. Nuwan Gunawardhana (Class of 2017) has been passionate about global health since the outset of his medical career. His commitment to medicine is driven by a desire to serve communities in need, and he remains dedicated to providing care worldwide. With a steadfast focus on his original mission, he strives to make a lasting impact through his work, ensuring that his practice extends beyond borders for as long as possible.
He actively volunteers with the Bicol Clinic, a non-profit medical organization, through which he provides care in resource-limited settings. His past missions have taken him to Haiti, where he worked in a rural clinic located five to six hours outside of Port-au-Prince, as well as to Nepal, where he served in a remote village overlooking the Himalayas. During these missions, Dr. Gunawardhana collaborates with local healthcare providers, delivering comprehensive medical care to patients of all ages, from pediatrics to geriatrics, while managing a wide range of diseases and pathologies.
Recognizing the challenges of resource-limited environments, he emphasizes the importance of diagnostic and antibiotic stewardship to ensure responsible and effective medical treatment. However, the most profound lesson he has gained from these experiences is the fundamental value of empathy. He believes in fostering love and compassion among all people, recognizing that as global citizens, we share a collective responsibility to support and uplift one another, regardless of our backgrounds or origins.