Balaram Puligandla

I attended CWRU School of Medicine and moved to the Bay Area for my internship and residency training at the US Naval hospital in Oakland, CA. My military service included one fantastic year as the Battalion Surgeon with the 3rd Marine Division in Okinawa, Japan. Afterward, I continued my pathology career at the Kaiser Permanente Oakland medical center where I worked for over 30 years. My last 2 years of practice , as Vice Chair of the Dept of Pathology, were at the Oregon Health & Science University from which I retired in 2023.
In retirement, Linda and volunteer with JSei, a service organization serving seniors in the East Bay. I am a member of two committees that keep me engaged with the pathology world. Otherwise we enjoy exercising regularly, traveling and spending time with family and friends.

My time at Oberlin was transformative as I came in as a very immature freshman. Being among so many talented, witty and passionate students from all over the world was initially intimidating but eventually proved to be an amazing experience that allowed me to develop into who I am today.
One of my entirely unexpected positive experiences at Oberlin is the availability of so much music all the time. From the big orchestras and bands to the small Conservatory performances to the rock music that one could hear in the dorms.
A favorite memory is of students in nice spring weather, opening their windows onto the Quad, putting speakers on the ledge and playing their favorite records.