A Lasting Commitment: Dr. Ameesha Kansupada ’89 on Community, Wellness and the Wildcat Women Fund
September 15, 2025
- Author
- Danielle Strickland
Ameesha and Kashyap Kansupada with their sons, Cabir and Jeevun.
As a physician, Ameesha Pandya Kansupada ’89 is passionate about health and well-being, making her support of the Wildcat Women Fund an easy choice.
Davidson experiences deepened her interest in medicine, while teaching her how to listen, ask great questions and build trust. By giving back, she now hopes to provide funding that will help all students thrive both on campus and long after they leave. Kansupada lives in Charlotte with her family and is a member of the Davidson College Board of Visitors.
What inspires you to give to Davidson through the Wildcat Women Fund?
There’s something powerful that happens when Davidson women come together with purpose. Across generations and backgrounds, we’ve always asked bold questions, listened closely and showed up for each other. That spirit continues through the Wildcat Women Fund. It’s not just about giving back; it’s inspiring girl talk … continuing the conversations and connections that shaped us on campus and turning them into lasting impact.
The current designation for the fund is student health and well-being. What impact do you hope these gifts have on that important area of campus life?
As a physician, student health and well-being are deeply personal to me. It’s easy to think of wellness as yoga classes or late-night pizza (and yes, those ice cream study breaks on Patterson Court were a highlight!). However, we know that true well-being is complex; it’s shaped by mental health, access to care, community, and feeling seen and supported. Davidson understands this and is committed to meeting students where they are. My hope is that these gifts help strengthen that commitment by expanding existing programs and creating space for new, innovative support that helps all students thrive both on campus and long after they leave.
Ameesha Kansupada joins the Class of 1989 during Reunion Weekend.
Can you share a couple of aspects of your Davidson experience that inspire you to stay involved as an alum?
Davidson opened the door to experiences that shaped my worldview and career. Through the Davidson in India program, I spent a semester studying how women in rural communities influence family health decisions. The work was both humbling and eye-opening. That experience led to a second trip the following summer, supported by the Dean Rusk Program, where I explored how traditional and modern medicine intersect in a developing country. Those early, immersive opportunities laid the groundwork for my senior thesis and future path in preventive medicine and women’s health. It taught me how to listen, ask better questions and build trust. When I attended the Davidson Science Symposium last year, I saw the same spark of discovery in today's students. The College Union was buzzing with energy as students shared research across a variety of fields. It reminded me that I stay connected to support a place where curiosity and discourse are celebrated.
As we continue building a community related to the Women ACT initiative, can you talk about the value of community as you think about your investment in an institution?
To me, community means offering support and being willing to ask for it. Years ago, after taking time off to raise my young family, I was preparing to return to medicine and found myself needing a boost of confidence. Without hesitation, I reached out to Dr. Wes Hofferbert, my Davidson classmate and medical school buddy. He told me to dust off my white coat, grab my stethoscope and join him in the clinic for a few days. I'm forever grateful he got me back on that bike to enjoy years of practice.
I've cherished my friendships with classmates and beloved professors like the late Dr. Appleyard and Dr. Job Thomas, who I still meet for coffee to hear about revisions on his latest South Asian art history book. Community is where relationships, encouragement and mutual care grow for a lifetime.
