July 2024
Keavash Assani, MD
Hi Keavash! Welcome to Vanderbilt! Tell us a little bit about where you're coming from/your story
A little bit about me, I’m from a small village named Anna, Ohio. I enjoyed growing up around cornfields, having bonfires, and listening to country music. After high school, I went to the University of Cincinnati, where I got my degrees in Biology and Spanish. I enjoy using my Spanish skills whenever I have the opportunity, but especially to help give patients a more personable experience in free health clinics. During my Master’s in Healthcare Administration, I had the opportunity to work as a financial service representative at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, where I helped patients with their bills and financial assistance. Afterwards, I moved to our nation’s capital, Washington D.C.! While there, I worked in the Ways and Means Committee and helped write health policies and educate staff and congressmen about different healthcare issues. Innovation is also something that excites me. After my internship, I moved out to San Jose, California to work as a human factors engineer. This was a really cool experience where I learned a lot about the medical device design process and helped make medical products safe to use for patients and providers. I hope to take all of the lessons I’ve learned in these various roles to advance healthcare system as a physician leader and innovator.
After working out west, I moved back to Ohio to be close to family and go to medical school at Wright State University in Dayton. I started medical school at the beginning of the pandemic. Such crazy times. I was fortunate to have family close by for support. I couldn’t have done it without them. I also gained support from the U.S. Air Force, who helped me become a better leader and gave me the opportunity to become a physician. I was just recently promoted to Captain. For me the pandemic really put into perspective how essential we as healthcare providers are. It motivated me to get involved in the COVID-19 Task Force, where I helped vaccinate people and educate them about COVID-19. I also did research with the surgery department on how cancer stage and outcomes were affected by the delay in treatment. Research is something I am very passionate about. Which is why I am honored to have the opportunity to work in Dr. Jeffrey Tosoian’s lab as a research fellow this year. I couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity.
Why urology?
I love the connection that it allows to have with patients, the diversity of procedures and the complexities of the surgeries. Most importantly though, it allows me to help people like my late mother who passed from renal cell carcinoma. I hope to do research that pushes the bounds of science and advances urology so that cancers like renal cell carcinoma are of no significance or are completely eradicated.
Before we really get into it, when I visit Ohio, should I try Skyline Chili, I recently discovered what this is from Neil and I'm fascinated.
Some people may be deterred from the idea of chili on spaghetti. I on the other hand embrace it! Many Cincinnatians will tell you that you HAVE to try Skyline Chili if you come to the area, and I’d agree. They layer their spaghetti with chili and a mountain of finely shredded cheddar cheese on top. You can also add onions, sour cream, and beans with rice on it if you really want. It may sound bizarre, but its tasty and you should definitely try it, at least once. The real question is Skyline Chili versus Goldstar Chili.
How have you liked Nashville so far?
Nashville is an awesome place. It feels like a home away from home. Everyone at Vanderbilt has been so kind and helpful! I’m learning so much from everyone. Outside of work, I have found Nashville to be a fun and exciting place to live! There are so many things to do. When I have the chance, I enjoy going to live concerts, hiking, going on runs, and exploring new restaurants.
You told me you've lived in a few different spots across the country - which one has been your favorite so far?
Can I go outside the box and say that my favorite place that I have lived is Queretaro, Mexico. I did a semester exchange program there and loved the vibrant culture, the food and the people. I even took a dance class there and learned how to dance the Salsa! If I had to choose within the US, Washington D.C. or San Jose, CA would be at the top of the list.
I hear you're a big fan of live music - who's an artist or band you'd be stoked to see if they came to Nashville?
I actually have a long list of artists coming to Nashville that I hope to see! I’m very excited to see Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban, 21 Pilots, Post Malone (and his new country album!) as well as Kings of Leon. Nashville is truly an exciting place to be!
Who will you be working on research with while here in Nashville? Any preliminary interests?
I am working directly under the esteemed Dr. Jeffrey Tosoian. I am excited to be focusing on urologic oncology research with him. As stated earlier, urologic oncology is near and dear to me and I plan on doing a urologic oncology fellowship after residency! One of the projects that we are working on is epigenetics in prostate cancer, which is a growing and truly fascinating field in urology. I am also excited to be working on biomarker research to help advance diagnostic and prognostic abilities of detecting clinically significant prostate cancer. I also have the pleasure of working with Dr. Kelvin Moses and his team to study cytoreductive nephrectomies and immunotherapy, as well as shared decision making for minorities in urology. This is a very exciting year with a lot of great projects in store and I look forward to all the good research that comes from it!
What are you most looking forward to doing/exploring in Nashville?
I’d have to say the live music is top of the list, but I also look forward to exploring the nature around Nashville and hope to find some people to play pickleball with!
Rapid Fire
Favorite concert you've ever been to?
Keith Urban-the man is a legend on guitar.
Favorite Nashville restaurant?
Sixty Vines
Favorite place you've travelled?
Iceland or Bali, Indonesia
Favorite movie?
Avengers: Infinity Wary, or Star Wars
Chipotle or Cava?
Cava is great, but I could eat Chipotle every day if I had to.
Interview conducted by Junstin Mehr, MD