As Match Day 2025 grew closer, Jaya Thiyagarajan experienced “anxiety like never before” and channeled her nervous energy into working out. Running more than 20 miles in that single week exemplifies her philosophy that becoming a physician is a marathon, not a sprint.
Similar to greeting your loved ones at the finish line, Thiyagarajan was with her family when she found out that she matched at University of Maryland Capital Region Medical in Internal Medicine.
“I was so happy to be surrounded by the support system that helped me through this journey,” she said. “It meant the world to me to tell my parents, who have provided such unconditional support throughout the years. Since my journey wasn’t a straight path, that moment of matching felt extra special. I had reached the goalpost that I had been working toward for so long and it felt surreal.”
An Unexpected Detour
Thiyagarajan started college with a plan to go into medicine. However, after double majoring and minoring (pre-med, pre-law, minor in psychology), she became burned out and wasn’t sure if she wanted to continue down the long path of a career in medicine.
At that point, she began her master’s studies in public health while working at Apple. Thiyagarajan then found herself working as an International Supply Chain Project Manager for a leading learning company — which ultimately became the catalyst for her return to medicine.
“My last project involved converting textbooks over to an electronic platform, including medical textbooks,” she explained. “My work with editing, reviewing and managing these books is what led me back to my passion for medicine.”
Jaya’s Second Act in Pursuit of Her Passion
Meanwhile, Thiyagarajan’s brother had graduated from Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM). He had a positive outlook on his experience and advised her that it was a good place to pursue medicine.
“Anyone can say they would do anything to make their goals become a reality, but I think that moving to another country is a true test,” she said. “My experience on the island was one of the most memorable time periods of my life. I found out just how strong I truly was and I did very well academically. I am so thankful for that time and for the wonderful friendships I built.”
Thiyagarajan’s previous corporate role helped re-ignite her passion, while also preparing her for the struggles of medical school. The life experiences she had and the skills she learned as a project manager helped set the stage for success in her second act.
Responding to Choices and Challenges
Becoming a physician isn’t easy. But it is possible when you have the right mindset, lean on your support system, take advantage of the resources offered by Ross, and strive for balance. Thiyagarajan demonstrates this through the decisions she made and her unrelenting determination.
“There were days that I did not want to study, show up for clinicals or complete an assignment. My dedication and discipline helped me maintain a strong work ethic on those days,” she said. “It was also pivotal to stay focused on the idea that this journey was a marathon, not a sprint. There were days I was knocked down, time and time again. But my persistence to continue learning helped me grow into the physician-to-be I am today.”
For Thiyagarajan, finding a work-life balance is an ongoing battle. “When I thrive in one part of my life, another part suffers. There is no balance per se,” she explained. “However, thinking about it in the context of work-life integration, gave me a different outlook. Going from a corporate job to the grueling hours of medical school really highlighted the necessity to prioritize areas in life that bring me joy. Everyone’s priorities are different, but for me they include family time, self-care (gym, Pilates, meditation) and hobbies (baking, charcuterie board making). This recognition drove me to create a life that allows for both personal priorities and medicine.”
Looking toward the future, Thiyagarajan says she would love to practice preventative and integrative medicine for rehabilitation centers and in her own practice. Growing up on Long Island, NY, in an Indian family, her parents always had natural remedies in their household. Because of that, she has great interest in continuing to find ways to heal the body from the inside out. Thiyagarajan values the importance of a healthy lifestyle from the foods we eat and the exercises we perform.
As a medical practitioner, she enjoys the rehabilitation aspect of medicine, including the integration of a healthy lifestyle. She is also passionate about showing others how working towards a healthy life starts with small everyday decisions like what they eat and how they weave movement into their routines.
Advice and Encouragement for New Rossies
“For me, nothing came easy and it took time,” Thiyagarajan said. “It is very hard to see that there are multiple ways to achieving a goal. The classic road may not be your ideal fit — and that is unequivocally okay. For me, the typical path to medical school didn’t suit my personality or my vast interests. However, that doesn’t mean you still can’t pursue a career in medicine. Years later, I still made my way back to my dreams — and Ross University was the place to make it happen!
