Meenakshi Budhraja, MD, is a Board Certified Gastroenterologist with over 35 years of clinical experience in private and academic practice. Now based full-time in Manhattan, Dr. Budhraja serves on the faculty at Metropolitan Hospital, where she is a leading voice in the integration of Culinary Medicine into medical training.
Last year, Dr. Budhraja successfully implemented a groundbreaking culinary wellness curriculum within the Metropolitan Hospital GI fellowship training program. This curriculum consists of four hands-on, chef-forward sessions designed to equip the next generation of gastroenterologists with practical skills in nutrition and lifestyle intervention. Her expertise in this field was honed during her six-year tenure directing wellness initiatives and chef-led culinary experiences for students at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).
In addition to her clinical and faculty roles, Dr. Budhraja is active in the broader culinary and regulatory spheres. She has served on the Arkansas State Medical Board (appointed by Governor Mike Beebe) and the Board of Directors for the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). She continues to advocate for systemic healthcare change through her work with the James Beard Foundation and the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP), focusing on the intersection of gastrointestinal health, sustainability, and plant-based nutrition.