For Drs. Ishani and Shivani Sharma, the road to becoming physicians has always been one they have traveled together. From growing up in Dallas, Texas, to earning biology degrees from the University of Texas at Dallas and master’s degrees in medical sciences from the University of North Texas Health Science Center, the fraternal twins have shared every milestone of their academic journey. In 2022, they began the next chapter together as members of the VCOM-Louisiana Class of 2026.
Now, after four years of medical school, they have reached another remarkable accomplishment. Both matched into the family medicine program at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Amarillo, where they began their residencies this summer. The outcome was completely unexpected, making the moment more meaningful.
In 1996, their parents and grandparents immigrated from Gujarat, India, and settled in Texas. Today, Ishani and Shivani are proud to be the first physicians in their family, an achievement that reflects years of dual dedication, perseverance, and support.
Throughout medical school, the companionship of one another made an already demanding journey a little easier. “It has been incredible to go through all the highs and lows of medical school together,” they shared. “We always had a study buddy and someone to practice physical exams and osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) skills with. This was also our first time living away from family, so being roommates and classmates made that transition much easier.”
Their shared experiences also meant they understood each other’s challenges in a way few others could. “Having someone who knew exactly what it felt like to go through didactics (the classroom portion of medical training), clinical rotations, board exams, and missing the same family and friends’ events made all the difference. We experienced those difficult moments together and were able to support each other through them.”
Ironically, attending the same medical school and eventually matching together were never part of their original plans.
During medical school, both sisters discovered a passion for primary care. The variety of family medicine, combined with meaningful patient relationships, reinforced their career goals. A medical mission trip to Honduras shaped their decision.
“We were able to care for patients of all ages and work alongside local health care professionals,” they shared. “Helping whole families and being their first point of care showed us exactly what we loved about primary care.”
Even as residency applications approached, matching together was never something they actively pursued. “We did not participate in the couples match, and we had entirely different rank lists,” they explained. “We simply hoped to end up close enough to visit each other during residency. Matching in the same program happened naturally through the algorithm, and we could not be happier.”
As they sat with their parents, both sisters opened their match emails. “I opened my email and read Texas Tech Amarillo,” Ishani recalled. “I felt excited but was eager to know where Shivani matched. Then I heard her whisper Amarillo. At first I thought she was reading over my shoulder, but she was looking at her own laptop screen reading her own match.”
Shivani experienced the same disbelief. “I whispered the name of the program to myself before sharing the great news with our family. Then I looked over at Ishani’s screen and could not believe it also said Texas Tech Amarillo.”
Briefly, they questioned whether there had been an error. “We honestly thought it had to be a mistake or glitch,” they shared. “We were overwhelmed, shocked, and so excited. We hugged each other and realized we were going to spend the next three years together! It became real when we received the residency program’s welcome email and saw our photos on their match Instagram post. We started this pre-med journey together 10 years ago, and now we get to finish our training together. That means everything to us!”
As they begin their residencies, Ishani and Shivani are excited to continue building on the partnership they have strengthened throughout their education. “Having gone through all our education together, we have built a true partnership,” they said. “We are excited to become co-residents, apply our medical knowledge and skills, and continue to confuse everyone as Drs. Sharma.”
For the Sharma sisters, the journey has been filled with unexpected moments, and matching at the same residency program was one of the biggest. As they begin this next chapter in Amarillo, they look forward to continuing the bond that has carried them from pre-med through medical school, this time as co-residents. Their story is as unique as each of them and a reminder that some of the best moments in medicine and life are the ones that surprise us.
