Climbing New Summits in Medicine and Leadership

October 27, 2025

When Supratik Rayamajhi, MD, introduces himself, he does so with characteristic humility. “I’m an internist, a teacher, and a student,” he said. On October 1st, he became interim dean of the College of Human Medicine.

Born and raised near the Himalayas of Nepal, Rayamajhi grew up with mountains in his backyard—both literal and figurative.

After completing medical school at Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu, he worked as an expedition doctor, accompanying international climbing teams on their journeys to Mount Everest Base Camp. While on the train, Rayamajhi provided medical care, treated symptoms of acute mountain sickness, and managed dehydration, exhaustion and injuries.

While being simultaneously thrilling and treacherous, Rayamajhi’s time on the mountains formed the basis of his leadership values today. “Those experiences teach you that it’s never just about yourself,” he said. “It’s about the team. Everyone has to trust and rely on each other to reach the summit.”

Sixteen years later, a photo of Rayamajhi leaning against Mount Everest and his first team at the summit now hangs in his living room in Okemos.

Rayamajhi and his wife Shivan moved to Michigan in 2008 for his residency at MSU-Sparrow Internal Medicine. He admits a career in academia was not something he ever imagined, yet “serendipity had other plans for him.”

In his 15 years at MSU, Rayamajhi has served in several roles at the College of Human Medicine including clerkship director, program director and vice chair for education within MSU Internal Medicine Residency. In the Department of Medicine, he was senior vice chair of clinical strategy and served as interim chair for two and half years.

Last year, he was named associate dean for clinical affairs and professor of medicine, where he works with administrators, hospital leaders and clinical practices across the state to improve the financial sustainability of medical education. 

Now as interim dean, Rayamajhi is particularly energized to see the work the College of Human Medicine is doing throughout its eight community campuses.

“I’ve spent the majority of my career here in East Lansing,” he said. “There’s a lot of travel to be had.”

Rayamajhi is deeply inspired by seeing the college’s mission fulfilled through statewide partnerships, new student scholarships, rural pathway programs, community-participatory research and the growth of its campuses in Grand Rapids, Flint and Detroit.

“I’m excited to carry the momentum forward,” he said. “As leaders, physicians and educators, we must always collaborate toward the interests of those most vulnerable. That’s where our work truly matters.”

Whether it's climbing to the summit of the Himalayas as an expedition doctor, rounding in the hospital with medical students and residents, or serving as interim dean for the medical school, Rayamajhi relates back to his core principles. They all demand perseverance, humility, and trust in one’s team.