Dr. Disha - Being a Doctor Is Something More Than Just a Profession for Me (MBBS Doctor From India)

Being a doctor is something more than just a profession for me. It's something that helps me to be a better Human. I choose to be a doctor so that I'll be able to make some difference in society on a very ground level. Not by making administrative decisions but by 'saving lives'.It's a part of who I am.

1. Tell us about your upbringing, background, and journey?

I like to define myself as a human and nothing else as that is what we all are, without any titles any entitlement, and anything else. I have always been an independent child. I took my own decisions and my family believed in me for that. with all my heart I made those decisions the best ones for me. this habit that was built in childhood somehow helping me thrive as a young adult.

My parents were pursuing their education when I was a kid so I grew up for most of my childhood at my grandparent's (nana-nani) house. my Nana was an education officer, so I fell in love with civil services at a very young age. my whole family background is educational. No one in my family is a Doctor.

Everyone thought that I will do something in the civil services or education sector But I think destiny had something so unconventional planned for me. As a child and a teenager, I have experienced all kinds of economical ups and downs. I think that is something that helped me get adapted to everything life throws at me & made me resilient.

My father was a primary teacher and my mother was doing her graduation when I was born. but with all the hard work they have done over the years, they now have their own educational trust which consists of colleges in the field of science and arts.

I have seen the journey of my parents doing all the efforts from very close, and that is something that helped me understand that I can achieve anything with my vision and hard work.

2. Why did you choose to be a doctor and decide what you specifically want to do?

Being a doctor is something more than just a profession for me. It's something that helps me to be a better Human. I choose to be a doctor so that I'll be able to make some difference in society on a very ground level. Not by making administrative decisions but by saving lives. It's a part of who I am.

3. We salute your work during the pandemic, where did you get the inspiration to work so hard?

Pandemic was particularly something soo unpredictable. I never thought I'll ever get to work in such a tough situation. But since the pandemic started this profession has got a whole new meaning for me. and I am so grateful that I got to serve and help as much as I could in this disastrous situation. 

Something that kept me going in those covid wards was my staff & my patients. Everyone on staff was serving soo selflessly, despite being away from their families and putting their own lives at risk, they were taking care of patients with a big smile on their faces. and my patients who were very terrified but still were fighting with covid gave me hope and energy to work.

4. How do you expect digital health to grow over the next 5 years?

With the ever-changing world, the things in healthcare need to evolve. There are countless benefits of digital health in sense of precision and personalization and saving time. But still, there can be much more improvement in it so that it's more convenient for healthcare workers and patients as well.

5. What are your concerns about Digital Health? 

As I am in a very early phase of my journey as a doctor still I got to understand some things such as Being a doctor is not going to be easy it's not just a fun ride, it takes everything in your control. You have to be soo invested and dedicated in Your profession. 

People always say you have to have the passion to be a doctor, as true as that is, I think having " compassion " is something that is going to make your work better and be a better doctor with every passing day and going to inspire you to surpass any adversity that comes your way.

6. What does your typical day look like and what do you like to do besides work?

Currently, My typical day consists of my covid ward shifts and a lot of study sessions. It gets tedious and long and sometimes overwhelming but Spending some time with my dog, doing some mandala Art, making videos for my Instagram, and reading good books is something that helps me get refreshed and pumped up for the next day.

7. What are your hopes for the future? 

I hope in the future our healthcare systems get stronger. as someone who got her education in a government college and practicing in government hospitals, I got to know the troubles and economical problems the majority of the society faces. so that made me understand the importance of Generic medicines & I hope I will be able to spread awareness about generic medicines in society so healthcare will be accessible to everyone.

Dr. Disha Suryawanshi - MBBS Doctor

Interviewed By: Farhana Khatoon

This interview is sponsored by Plus91 Technologies, a leading Digital Health firm.