AIHP is excited to introduce our new Administrative Assistant, Aiswarya Vijaya Kumar!
She will be helping with the mailings, the website, and collections work, to name a few of her responsibilities.
Aiswarya is currently a graduate student at University of Wisconsin Madison studying Computer Science.
Get to Know Us: An Interview with Aiswarya Vijaya Kumar
What excites you about joining the AIHP?
I’m thrilled to be a part of AIHP and contributing to such a meaningful initiative. The opportunity to work with historical collections and help bring them to a wider audience is incredibly exciting. AIHP has a rich legacy, and I look forward to being part of a team that values history and accessibility.
What is special to you about our current collections project?
What makes AIHP special is its ability to bring hidden stories and artifacts to light. Many of these materials have been in storage for years, and through digitization and preservation, we can provide broader access to researchers, students, and the general public.
Have you encountered anything in the collections that you found to be particularly exciting to work with or share with the public?
I have come across materials that highlight the evolution of medical and pharmaceutical practices over time, which I find incredibly fascinating. Whether it’s historical drug advertisements, trade cards, or handwritten prescriptions, these pieces tell compelling stories about how healthcare has evolved. I’m particularly excited about sharing these artifacts with the public, as they provide unique insights into past medical practices and societal attitudes toward health.
The AIHP is over eighty years old, and you can still see the traces of people who have contributed time and effort to its mission. What mark do you hope to leave on this institute?
I hope to contribute to AIHP’s legacy by enhancing the accessibility and visibility of its collections. Whether through digitization efforts, or public engagement, I want to ensure that these historical materials reach a wider audience. My goal is to leave a mark by helping bridge the past and present, making history more engaging and relevant for scholars and the community alike.
