Pat Basu's mother was one of 13 children in a small town in Eastern India. She moved across the world to the U.S. to ensure that her future family would have the opportunities for a fulfilling and successful life.

Dr. Basu's recent appointment as a White House Fellow and special assistant to the president are evidence that her hopes were realized.

"The fact that a few decades later, her son became a White House Fellow is another incredible testament to the freedoms, ideals and opportunities that this White House Fellows program and this nation embody," Basu told DOTmed News in an e-mail. "I couldn't be more excited to dedicate my energy and experience to serve these ideals."
The White House Fellows program was founded in 1964 and is considered to be one of America's most renowned programs for leadership and public service. The selected fellows usually spend a year working as full-time employees with senior White House staff, Cabinet secretaries and other government officials. In addition, the fellows engage in roundtable discussions and take trips to study U.S. policy as a part of an educational component.

Basu is currently the course director of health policy, finance and economics at Stanford University. He frequently lectures on these topics throughout the world. Basu is also an attending radiologist at Palo Alto VA Hospital, Calif.

In the past, he served as a Rutherford Fellow in the ACR Washington, D.C. office and as a member of the ACR Resident and Fellow Section. Basu is eager to put his expertise to use in his new position.

"I hope to bring a versatile professional and personal background to the agency I serve. I have received degrees in medicine, engineering and business, which I hope gives me a well-rounded professional background," he said. "However, I am more proud of my versatile personal background. I believe that the people we meet are akin to the books that make up our lives. I always look to have a conversation and learn from everyone I meet, irrespective of their background or positions. This has given me a tremendous perspective and empathy, which I hope will continue to allow me to find humanistic solutions to future problems."

When asked to comment on the responsibilities entailed in the position, Basu said he is not at liberty to discuss the specifics at this time; however, the White House Fellows are granted the highest level of Top Secret security clearance for the duration of their term.

Basu said he is both proud of and humbled by his appointment. When he got to the national finals of the selection process, he was interviewed by senators, generals and other prominent government leaders.

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