Family Defines Meha Halari, M.D., Family Medicine Specialist

Although she left briefly for medical school in Chicago, New Jersey native Meha Halari, M.D., always knew she’d come back to the Garden State.

“I’m a Jersey girl, and I’ve always known I was going to stay a Jersey girl,” says Dr. Halari, who is now a family medicine physician with Hackensack Meridian Health Medical Group in Forked River, New Jersey. Her older brother, Vijay Halari, M.D., also practices family medicine with Hackensack Meridian Health Medical Group and is based in Brick, New Jersey.

It’s fitting, because family is what most defines her. “The most important thing to me in the entire world is my family, hands down,” says Dr. Halari, who decided to pursue medicine in honor of her late grandfather. “My mother’s father dreamed that one of his grandchildren would become a doctor. Unfortunately, he passed before my brother and I became physicians, but that’s what initially got us into medicine. We wanted to fulfill that dream.”

While her grandfather inspired her career, what keeps her in it is her patients. “It’s a blessing to do what I do because I get to help people make it through difficult times,” says Dr. Halari, who makes it through her own difficult times with the help of family, music and motivational speakers.

You live in a multi-generational household. What’s that like?

My grandma currently has her own apartment, but until recently it was her, my parents, my brother, my sister-in-law, me, my two nephews and our puppy—all living together. It’s been that way on and off for about five years. I love it. It’s a very nurturing atmosphere. We have our ups and downs. We have to compromise and work through family dynamics. But at the end of the day, you never walk into an empty household. On weekends, especially, we work like a well-oiled machine. There’s somebody doing laundry, somebody doing dishes, somebody making food. We all help each other out. You don’t get that kind of love and companionship when you’re living on your own.

You love music—listening to it and singing it. Where did that come from?

I have listened to Bollywood music almost since I was born. My parents have always been fond of music, so we always had it playing in the house or whenever we drove somewhere in the car. I did a few performances when I was younger at family gatherings because I enjoy singing. It’s near and dear to my heart. Also, it’s a way for me to find release. I drive 50 minutes to get home from work every day, and oftentimes I’ll turn on music and sing the whole way home.

If you could have dinner with any celebrity, dead or alive, who would it be?

Eric Thomas. He’s a motivational speaker, and I’ve listened to his videos online for years. He says to put 120 percent into every single day. Whenever he talks, it really pumps me up. I would love to meet him in person and tell him how much he’s inspired me.

Next Steps & Resources:

• Meet our source: Meha Halari, M.D.
• To make an appointment with Dr. Halari or a doctor near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.

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