An Inspired Chat with Vedha Vaddaraju of Rochester

We recently had the chance to connect with Vedha Vaddaraju and have shared our conversation below.

Vedha, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Lately, I’ve been finding a lot of joy in yoga and meditation. Practicing mindfulness has helped me feel more grounded and present, and I really enjoy the sense of balance it brings to my day.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Vedha Vaddaraju, and I’m a student in the BS/MD program at the University of Rochester with the goal of becoming a dermatologist. My passion for dermatology began in high school, when I was misdiagnosed and went through a long process of treatments before finding the right care. That experience, while challenging, gave me a unique perspective and opened my eyes to a broader need: better education and resources in skin of color dermatology, particularly for underserved communities.

Wanting to help bridge that gap, I founded the nonprofit Letters of Gold five years ago, and more recently launched The TINT Initiative through it. The TINT Initiative focuses on advancing sun protection for all and skin health equity for communities of color. We create inclusive SPF resources, provide education about sun safety, and advocate for stronger representation in dermatologic illustrations and medical education. Our goal is to make skin health accessible, inclusive, and empowering for everyone.

Outside of my academic and nonprofit work, I’m passionate about mindfulness and holistic well-being. I practice yoga and meditation regularly, and I enjoy learning about traditional healing practices from different cultures. As a future physician, I hope to combine these approaches with medicine to care for patients in a way that supports both their physical health and their overall sense of balance and wholeness.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A moment that really shaped how I see the world was this past summer, when I had the opportunity to volunteer in the dermatology department at a medical camp in rural India as both a medical assistant and translator. I met patients from all walks of life—farmers, laborers, and individuals who simply hadn’t had access to enough health education. It made me realize how fortunate we are to have the resources and education we do, and it deepened my commitment to making sure that knowledge is shared more equitably.

This experience directly inspired The TINT Initiative’s Sun Safety Drive, where we collected hats, sunglasses, and SPF and brought them to communities all over the world. We not only provided sun protection but also delivered education in people’s native languages. Seeing how a small effort could make such a big impact reaffirmed my belief in the importance of education, representation, and accessibility in healthcare.

Do you remember a time someone truly listened to you?
Growing up, many kids dreaded going to the doctor, but for me it was the opposite. I loved it, because my primary care physician truly listened to me. Whether I was navigating the challenges of high school or trying to take better control of my health, she always made me feel heard and understood. That experience showed me the impact of being listened to, and it’s something I hope to carry forward with my own patients one day.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would probably say that authenticity really matters to me. I value being able to show up as yourself—fearlessly and without apology—and I try to encourage the people around me to do the same

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
As a young adult, it can be easy to put health and mindfulness on the back burner, especially when stress and responsibilities pile up. But I’ve made it a priority to practice mindfulness—through meditation, knowing when to pause, and taking care of myself in sustainable ways. While the benefits are already noticeable now, I know these habits will truly pay off years down the line by helping me build resilience and maintain my mental health through medical school, residency, and beyond.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tintinitiative.org ; http://www.lettersofgold.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tintinitiative ; https://www.instagram.com/lettersofgold.organization
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vedha-vaddaraju

Image Credits
Texas Governor’s Volunteer Awards, 2023