Biography

Sharika Kumar, M.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center and a member of its Division of General Internal Medicine. She specializes in palliative medicine.

I truly enjoy being part of an academic institution and teaching communication skills and symptom management.

Originally from McKinney, Texas, she holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Austin College. She earned her medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, and completed residency training in family and community medicine at UT Southwestern, where she served as Chief Resident. She then received advanced training in hospice and palliative medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Certified by the American Board of Family Medicine, she joined the UT Southwestern faculty in 2021.

Dr. Kumar is a member of the American Academy of Family Medicine, American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, and the Center to Advance Palliative Care.

Personal Note

Dr. Kumar's outside interests include exploring new restaurants, travelling, workout classes, and spending time with friends and family.

Education
Medical School
American University of the Caribbean-School of Medicine (2016)
Residency
UT Southwestern Medical Center (2019), Family Medicine
Chief Resident
UT Southwestern Medical Center (2020), Family Medicine
Fellowship
UT Health Science Center San Antonio Joe and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine (2021), Palliative Care

Research Interest
  • Discussion of Goals of care and Advance Care Planning
  • Medical Communication
  • Palliative Care

Honors & Awards
  • Department Distinction, Integrative Medicine
    Department of Family and Community Medicine (2020)
  • Department Distinction, Palliative Medicine
    Department of Family and Community Medicine (2020)
  • Chief Resident
    Family and Community Medicine (2019)
  • Resident of the Year
    Department of Family and Community Medicine (2019)
  • Intern of the Year
    Department of Family and Community Medicine (2017)

Professional Associations/Affiliations
  • American Academy of Family Medicine
  • American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
  • Center to Advance Palliative Care