Today we’d like to introduce you to Saanvi Gundala
Hi Saanvi, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Saanvi Gundala. I am a high school student, competitive swimmer, and director of the Equity in Illustration Initiative. My journey toward health equity is deeply personal as it stems from experiences that have shaped my understanding of the need for better representation and fairness in the healthcare system.
One of those experiences occurred when I started noticing dry, flaky, and irritated skin around my eyes—something I couldn’t ignore. I visited a dermatologist, hoping for relief, but the prescribed ointment only made my condition worse. I assumed it was a misdiagnosis or that the treatment simply didn’t work for me, but the experience caused me to lose trust in my doctor. I did my own research and discovered I had contact dermatitis, triggered by allergens—including chlorine from swimming. Swimming had always been a central part of my life, so it was heartbreaking to know that the sport I loved so much was making my condition worse.
During this challenging time, I talked to a friend of mine, Vedha Vaddaraju, co-founder of the nonprofit Letters of Gold. She had gone through a similar experience, and our conversations helped us realize there was a larger issue: a gap in dermatological education when it comes to people with skin of color.
That’s when the Equity in Illustration Initiative was born.
The Equity in Illustration Initiative (EII) is a project under Letters of Gold, an organization that uses the power of handwritten letters to uplift and connect people. EII is our way of advocating for greater diversity in medical illustrations, textbooks, and curricula, and we are using Letter of Gold’s platform to advance our mission. We believe that accurate representation can improve healthcare outcomes and build trust between healthcare providers and patients. My personal struggle helped me understand the importance of having accurate and inclusive medical resources, which is why I’m so passionate about the work of EII in advocating for better representation in healthcare.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Looking back, I’ve realized that obstacles often present opportunities for growth. My experience with contact dermatitis was challenging, but it also highlighted a much larger issue, one that I’m now dedicated to advocating for. One of the biggest hurdles we faced in launching EII was that none of us are medical professionals. As high school and undergraduate students, we’re trying to tackle problems in a complex field that requires expertise and credibility. But we’re not letting that stop us. We’re reaching out to clinics, medical professionals, researchers, and educators to build strong partnerships. Our goal is to collaborate with artists, healthcare providers, and institutions to create more inclusive medical resources and spread awareness.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
After learning about the disparity in representation, I co-authored a literary review on the issue, but I quickly realized that research alone wasn’t enough. The Equity in Illustration Initiative was born from the desire to make a real impact. What sets us apart is that it’s run by students—we are young people passionate about advocating for change and improving healthcare through better representation. I’m incredibly proud to lead EII and excited to see how our efforts continue to shape more inclusive healthcare resources for everyone.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I’ve lived in the DFW area for a while now, and it has truly become my home. What I love most about this community is its diversity. There’s a wide variety of restaurants and cuisines to try and endless activities, from local festivals to outdoor parks and museums. There’s always something new to experience here, and that keeps life exciting. However, traffic can be frustrating at times, but it’s a small price to pay.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.lettersofgold.org/equity-in-illustration.html
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/equityinillustration/
