She was addressing more than 520 University of Otago graduates in biomedical sciences, dentistry, health sciences, medicine, medical laboratory science and physiotherapy, at a graduation ceremony in the Dunedin Town Hall on Saturday.
The survey had found that death was, in fact, only the second-greatest fear of Californian professionals, Dr Inder added.
American comedian Jerry Seinfeld had immediately commented that the survey results meant that at every funeral the person giving the eulogy would rather be in the coffin.
Dr Inder also joked that when she had graduated with MB ChB qualifications from Otago University 21 years ago, a photograph that subsequently appeared on the front page of the Otago Daily Times showed that most of her medical graduating class appeared to be asleep.
She hoped her own graduation address would attract somewhat more attention, and reflected that she also faced other challenges in life.
"I am a paediatrician caring for the smallest one-pound pieces of life - inspiring and driving my research to improve their lives," she said.
"Find your passion, love living it, and you will do it well and have a wonderful career," she advised.
"I am so very fortunate to do this and you have been given this great education to allow you to find it . . ."
Otago graduates should be proud of themselves and inspire pride in others.
They had "graduated from the top university in New Zealand and one of the top in the world".
• Dr Inder is co-director of the Washington University Neonatal Development Research team in St Louis.
