Harsh Moolani understood the devastating consequences of social isolation on older adults long before the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic. During his years as a hospice volunteer, Moolani befriended many older adults, each with a unique story to tell, each longing to be heard. 

“Deep human needs require the comfort and confidence of belonging,” Moolani wrote in his Rhodes application. “The psychosocial challenges like loneliness and social determinants of health for older adults are given little attention despite grave consequences. Seeing how research aligned with my in-person experience of witnessing a shortage of caregivers, inadequate reimbursement systems, poor aging policy and social perceptions as contributors to the challenges in elder care only compounded my fascination for the field and obsession with its intricacies.” 

In response, Moolani founded Create Circles while still an undergraduate at Washington University. The nonprofit organization strives to reduce social isolation and cognitive decay by pairing young volunteers with older adults in long-term care facilities to produce creative projects such as articles, videos and podcasts. 

“A lot of programs are about providing companionship, and that, certainly, is important,” Moolani said. “But we look to give them an opportunity to create after years of losing parts of themselves that are fundamental to their identity. We want to help craft a sense of purpose with them.”

Moolani has trained more than 600 volunteers, who assist older adults in 13 states. Currently, volunteers meet virtually, a logistical feat that amazes his mentor, Rajendra S. Apte, MD, PhD, the Paul A. Cibis Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the School of Medicine. 

“Harsh is constantly looking to innovate, whether it is through tools anyone can use to engage their family members or online training to better equip pre-existing organizations,” Apte wrote in his recommendation. “His journey of learning from physicians, administrators, policymakers and, most importantly, the older adult population he is serving, led him to understand the essence of medicine: to allow people to live life on their own terms for as long as possible. With this realization comes Harsh’s fascination with the social determinants of health and how he can address this component of health care today.” 

In addition to his role leading Create Circles, Moolani also is a product manager and analyst for Briocare, where he is developing technology that can be used with Alexa and Google Assistant devices to improve older adults’ well-being. He also continues his work as a research assistant in Apte’s lab, where he is studying age-related macular degeneration. 

Moolani also remains a volunteer at Unity Hospice, the Alzheimer’s Association and VOYCE St. Louis, which advocates for quality long-term care.

Moolani also co-founded  Compare Medical Schools, a website that helps students from underrepresented populations find best-fit medical programs. 

At Washington University, he served as a residential advisor and was captain and choreographer of WashU Chaahat, a Bollywood-fusion dance team. 

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