Dr. Sarasi Desikan, MD, RPVI, FACS is a Vascular Surgeon and federally funded scientific investigator at the University of Maryland and Baltimore VA Medical Center. As a physician and through her roles at the University of Maryland, she has spent considerable time and energy developing expertise on broadening access to healthcare for residents of Baltimore. In addition to her clinical and research efforts, she currently serves on the University of Maryland Baltimore’s (UMB) President’s Council for Women, is the Vice President for the UMB Faculty Senate, is the Co-Chair for the DEIA Committee at the VA Maryland Healthcare system, is on the Faculty Board for the UMB Health Alliance, and serves as Associate Clerkship Director of Surgery Rotations at the UM School of Medicine. Dr. Desikan hopes to leverage this Commission to make healthcare more equitable and accessible for women across our city.