Ritu Amarnani, a rising second-year medical student at Georgetown University’s School of Medicine (GUSOM), has spent the summer as one of the first BellRinger Fellows — a program where students receive a summer research stipend and join a team within Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center to expand their academic research experience and play an important role in understanding and furthering cancer treatment and care.
Ritu’s story is not just about her academic and professional achievements, but also about the personal experiences that have shaped her path. “My journey into medicine wasn’t a childhood dream. I was raised by my mother, a homemaker, and my father, a business owner. I wasn’t sure what a career in healthcare entailed. I did know, however, I could do anything I set my mind to, because my parents told me I could.
“My mom always pushed me to be the best version of myself. In elementary, she read chapter books with me because I was scared of leaving behind picture books. In high school, she helped me study for the SAT. In college, my mom volunteered with me at our local food bank, so I could build my medical school application. In medical school, she cooks and freezes homemade food so I can focus on studying. She has always been a fierce supporter of my education, supporting me in any way that she can.” Ritu shared. “My dad, who went to school in India, always jokes that he was not the best student, but he always encouraged me to push myself, because he knew I could do whatever I set my mind to.”
It wasn’t until the fifth grade, when a particularly engaging science teacher made learning fun and interactive, that Ritu developed a love for science. This newfound passion led her to take extra electives in anatomy and physics during middle school and high school. However, it wasn’t until nearing the end of high school that Ritu truly considered a career in medicine.
While volunteering at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Ritu’s younger sister was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia at the age of 9.
The bond with her sister, despite the typical sibling rivalries, was unbreakable and filled with unconditional love.
“Sahana was seven years younger than me, and so everything that I did, she wanted to do, too. As I got older, I understood I was her role model. I began to lean into the big sister role. While I didn’t know it then, I became the person that planned her last birthday party. We planned the event together, from creating a menu to sending invitations to her class. At this point in our relationship, we transitioned from sibling rivalry to friendship.
“My sister’s diagnosis was a turning point in my life. I realized that I could turn my grief and pain into something that could help others in similar situations,” Ritu shares. “She was admitted to the same hospital I was volunteering in, Nicklaus Children’s, and my role at that time was to be recreational support to children going through treatment. So what I did for other kids, I did for my sister. I played with her and other kids so that their diagnosis didn’t seem scary.”
Despite the intensive treatment plan, Ritu’s sister lost her battle to cancer just six days after being diagnosed. “She was tracking to get a bone marrow transplant, but after three days of chemotherapy, she had a stroke. They waited about three more days to confirm brain death, and that was the end. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think of her.” Ritu shared.
“After she passed away, I worked in the hematology-oncology unit, gaining as much exposure to the field as possible,” Ritu shares. “I cannot bring my sister back, but I can see pieces of her embedded in my bedside manner and in my patients. For Sahana, I will constantly aspire to be someone she could be proud of— someone that she could have called her big sister.”
Now, a rising second-year medical student at GUSOM, Ritu reflects on the challenges and rewards of her journey. “Medical school is a big adjustment. It’s not just academically challenging but also personally challenging. We have tough conversations and experiences and learn to cope and to be resilient during hard situations,” she explains.
Ritu’s dedication to cancer research was a stepping stone to becoming one of the first BellRinger Fellows, where she now works under the mentorship of Dr. Nina Kadan-Lottick, a pediatric hematologist-oncologist, who also specializes in cancer survivorship. Ritu’s research focuses on cancer survivorship, investigating why patients might not return for follow-up care and addressing the social determinants of health that impact their ability to access survivorship care.
“Our project aims to understand why people don’t come back for treatment. Is it a matter of access to healthcare, financial constraints, insurance? There may also be an issue of providing appropriate patient education after cancer treatment. We’re in the process of setting up the institutional review board and drafting interview questions to ensure our future study runs smoothly. Research is a collaborative effort, and I work closely with my team to develop appropriate materials that will help us understand the barriers that patients face once they enter survivorship.”
For Ritu, the fellowship is more than just an opportunity to further her research; it’s a chance to witness the collective power of community support. “I’m excited to be a part of BellRinger for the first time this fall. It’s so heartwarming to know that so many people come together to support this cause. They may never see the direct impact of their contributions, but they do it to support friends, family, and even strangers. BellRinger is a reminder that humanity comes together when it counts the most,” she says.
Ritu’s journey from a curious student in the fifth grade to a passionate medical student is just the beginning of her lifelong career in medicine. As a BellRinger Fellow, Ritu is not only helping to advance cancer research initiatives at Georgetown Lombardi, but also honoring her sister’s memory and inspiring others with her unwavering commitment to making a difference.
While she is still deciding whether she will be Riding or volunteering in BellRinger this October, she is certain that whatever she chooses, it will allow her to fully immerse herself in the shared mission that the BellRinger community fuels.
“People show up for one another. I felt it a lot when people came around for my sister, even people that I haven’t seen in years. Between the atmosphere, seeing thousands of people come together for BellRinger’s mission, raising money for research at Georgetown Lombardi, and knowing that I am personally benefiting in addition to my mentors and peers, is something I can’t wait to experience, and will forever be grateful for.”
Funded by the family of Elena and Barney Byrd, the Mitchell BellRinger Oncology Research Fellowship Program was named in honor of Georgetown University School of Medicine, Stephen Ray Mitchell, MD, Dean Emeritus, who has played a pivotal role in the growth of medical student research during his tenure as Dean for Medical Education at Georgetown. The BellRinger Fellows program will continue to advance cancer research and mentor the next generation of researchers at Georgetown Lombardi.
