Dr Bhumit Desai never planned on following a traditional path into medicine. Raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, he was already working full-time when he decided to apply to medical school.
The UQ-Ochsner Doctor of Medicine program gave him the opportunity to start sooner, without retaking the MCAT or repeating prerequisite courses.
That decision set him on a journey that took him from Brisbane to New Orleans and now to Birmingham, Alabama, where he is beginning a fellowship in spine surgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
He has just completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Ochsner Health and once fellowships is completed, he’s hoping to return home to start his spine practice with Ochsner in Baton Rouge.
Starting in Brisbane
Beginning in the UQ-Ochsner MD program, Bhumit says the move to Australia was surprisingly smooth. He found the lifestyle easy to adjust to and quickly connected with fellow American students.
"Some of my closest friends to this day are people I met that first year in Brisbane."
His first two years in Brisbane were heavily focused on academics, with early exposure to clinical learning through small group teaching and clinical coaching.
Moving to New Orleans for the final two years brought hands-on hospital experience and the chance to build meaningful relationships with Ochsner residents and faculty.
He spent time attending daily orthopedic conferences, volunteering for research, and assisting with weekend shifts to gain more clinical exposure.
Choosing Orthopedics
Even before medical school Bhumit had a strong interest in orthopedics, working in a physical therapy clinic during college, he liked seeing patients recover after surgery.
He knew early on that he preferred working with his hands and being involved in procedural care.
What he didn’t expect was to pivot away from his initial interest, sports medicine.
Late in his residency, during a rotation in spine surgery, he realised that was where he felt most at home in the operating room.
"The feeling I had in the OR during my spine rotation was unlike any other — that's what I wanted to do."
He completely changed direction and successfully matched into a spine fellowship, despite having spent years building a resume focused on sports.
Overcoming IMG Challenges
As an international medical graduate, Bhumit knew he needed to work harder than most to get noticed in a competitive field like orthopedics.
He made himself known to faculty, attended conferences regularly, and took on research projects that helped him build relationships and improve his CV.
He also took initiative with away rotations, which can be harder to access for UQ-Ochsner students due to accreditation differences.
By focusing on programs familiar with Ochsner and reaching out to those that had accepted students in the past, he was able to complete several away rotations in Louisiana.
He used each of these as an opportunity to demonstrate his work ethic, preparation, and clinical skills.
"Every away rotation is an interview. Show up prepared, be helpful, and make yourself an asset."
The Power of Mentorship
During his clinical years, Bhumit became involved with the Medical 3D (m3D) Lab at Ochsner Health.
The lab was led by Dr Korak Sarkar, a neurologist who helped develop 3D printing applications for surgical planning. Through this work, Bhumit was exposed to advanced surgical technology, and he credits Dr Sarkar with providing guidance and career advice that shaped his professional development.
"He was outside my specialty, but the mentorship he gave me was invaluable — career advice, life advice, all of it."
Looking Ahead
Bhumit is now entering a demanding but exciting fellowship year at the University of Alabama in Birmingham.
UAB is a level one trauma hospital with a high surgical volume, and the spine service plays a central role in emergency care.
He expects to be operating almost every day and is looking forward to the autonomy and hands-on experience the program offers.
After completing his fellowship, Bhumit is hoping to return to his hometown of Baton Rouge to start his spine surgery practice with Ochsner.
Advice for Future Students
For students wanting to pursue competitive specialties, Bhumit has som advice from his own experience. He believes hard work, persistence, and relationship-building are key. Research experience, strong letters of recommendation, and a clear commitment to the field all matter.
"Stay focused, work hard, and remember that every person you meet is a chance to learn something or build a connection."
He also acknowledges the risks. Not matching on the first attempt is a reality for some, and planning for that outcome is smart but he encourages students not to give up if they truly want to pursue a specialty like orthopedics.
You can check out the full interview with Bhumit on our YouTube channel and look out for the next Alumni chat.
Note: Since Bhumit graduated in 2019, elements of the UQ-Ochsner MD curriculum and the away rotation application process have changed. Current students are encouraged to speak with the Ochsner Clinical School team or UGME administrators for the most up-to-date guidance on away rotations, elective opportunities, and Pre-internship Terms.
