The power of purpose in KCU alumna’s journey to healing and supporting others

Deepa Halaharvi, DO, has stood on both sides of the exam table—first as a breast cancer surgeon, then as a patient. A 2004 graduate of the College of Osteopathic Medicine, current member of the Board of Trustees and adjunct instructor of Breast Surgery in the Department of Clinical Education at Kansas City University (KCU), she is driven by a mission to inspire, support and prepare the next generation of osteopathic physicians. Every chapter of her story—from immigrant to caregiver, mother to mentor has shaped her mission: to serve others with compassion and courage. 

Today, she’s a board-certified general surgeon and fellowship-trained breast cancer surgeon at OhioHealth in Columbus, Ohio. But long before she was leading patients through some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives, Dr. Halaharvi was a working mother, a caregiver and a first-generation immigrant navigating a long and winding road to medicine. 

“I started medical school at KCU while I was pregnant,” she said. “That’s not something you see very often, but I knew it was the right time for me.” 

Before enrolling at KCU, Dr. Halaharvi had already worked as a licensed practical nurse and physician assistant. She postponed her medical school dream to care for her father after a life-changing stroke, but when the time came, she embraced it fully. 

“I actually had my daughter while I was at KCU,” she said. “It was hard, but I had professors and peers who supported me. KCU really prepares you to serve—not just medically, but emotionally and spiritually, too. That became my foundation.” 

After completing her residency and a fellowship in breast surgical oncology, Dr. Halaharvi had been practicing for just eight months when she received the same call she had delivered to so many others: she had breast cancer. 

“I was on vacation with my family when I got the call. It was the same call I had delivered to so many patients myself,” she said. “You never think you’ll be on the receiving end. It felt like being hit by a train.” 

What followed was a journey through fear, grief and—ultimately—transformation. Dr. Halaharvi emerged from her diagnosis not only as a survivor, but as a more empathetic, grounded physician. Her work became more than just a profession, it became a calling. 

“I prayed and asked God how I could be the best breast surgeon. The answer came in the form of my own diagnosis,” she said. “Now I understand what my patients are going through on a different level. I don’t just treat the disease—I treat the whole person.” 

That philosophy of whole-person care is one she traces back to KCU. It also anchored her message to graduates at the University’s 2018 commencement, reflecting her enduring role as mentor and model for those entering the profession: Be kind. Listen. Treat people, not just symptoms. 

“If you treat a disease, you may win or lose,” she said. “But if you treat a person, you’ll always win.” 

In the years since her diagnosis, Dr. Halaharvi has become a national voice in breast cancer awareness, education and empowerment. Her podcast, The Breast Cancer Podcast, has reached audiences in more than 135 countries. She’s been featured on the Today Show and regularly speaks to groups across the country, using every platform to educate, inspire and empower others. 

“If it’s not purposeful, I don’t post it,” she said. “I’m here to help people become advocates for themselves. That’s how we make an impact.” 

For Dr. Halaharvi, impact goes beyond recognition. It’s about legacy. 

After the loss of her mother in 2023, she turned to writing to process her grief and honor both her parents. The result is her book, Their Legacy, Their Light She Carries: A Breast Surgeons Mission to Serve and Inspire Hope, a heartfelt tribute to the people and values that shaped her. 

Her mother, who had once dreamed of becoming a doctor in 1950s India, never had the chance to pursue that path. But she carried her love for learning across continents, becoming a licensed practical nurse in the U.S., enrolling in RN classes at age 72. 

Her father, an electrical engineer, was the quiet force behind the family, wise, steady and disciplined. After a brain surgery complication left him bedridden and quadriplegic, he was cared for at home by Dr. Halaharvi and her family for 16 years. His mantra stayed with her: “Whatever job you do, be great at it—there’s no place for mediocrity.” 

That dedication to learning, service and excellence now lives on through a nonprofit Dr. Halaharvi’s created in her parents’ name. The foundation offers scholarships to adult learners.

“Education was their greatest value,” she said. “They believed in teaching people how to fish, not just giving them fish. Through this nonprofit, I want to keep their memory alive and help others find their path forward.” 

Though her journey is extraordinary, Dr. Halaharvi grounds it in universal values: compassion, perseverance, service and excellence. Once a nursing student juggling night shifts and college classes, she now balances surgery, mentorship, podcasting and nonprofit leadership. Her advice to students—especially women and working parents—is candid and encouraging. 

“There are seasons in life,” she said. “During medical school or residency, you have to stay focused. But you also need a community around you—family, friends, support systems. Don’t try to do it all alone.” 

And for future physicians, she offers a reminder to stay rooted in purpose. 

“For me, this has never just been a job,” she said. “It’s a calling. I see people at the worst moment in their lives and I get to walk with them through it. That’s a gift.” 

Dr. Halaharvi is the first to admit her journey hasn’t been without hardship. She’s experienced caregiver fatigue, faced cancer from both sides and navigated the emotional weight of being both the healer and patient. But she’s grounded herself in four key pillars: spirituality, emotional well-being, physical health and intellectual curiosity. 

“That’s how I stay grounded,” she said. “That’s how I keep going.” 

Today, she mentors residents and medical students, speaks across the country and uses her platform to spread one message: lead with empathy, educate with purpose and serve with heart. 

“I tell my kids—don’t just aim to be wealthy. Aim to be people of value,” she said. “Because if you focus on making an impact, everything else will follow.” 

It’s a philosophy that mirrors the mission of KCU —and one she lives every day. From her first day at KCU to her return as a trustee, Dr. Halaharvi has come full circle. Her journey is a powerful reminder that the true legacy of a physician lies not only about healing others—but in lifting them up. 

Or as she told graduates—and continues to live by: “The best way to give back is to serve. That’s what medicine is about.”