What is your hometown?
I was born in Mumbai (India), but have lived in several countries over the years.
When did you join the UI faculty?
March 2004
How/when did you become interested in science and medicine?
I don’t remember how, but knew from about age 5 or 6 that I wanted to be a doctor. Helping others seemed to give me a sense of personal satisfaction like nothing else. In school and college, science and biology, in particular, “made sense.” Other things didn’t seem quite so fascinating.
What interested you to pursue a career in Surgery?
I still remember the look on my father’s face when I announced with all the self-assurance of a 16 year old that I was going to be a surgeon. I was good with my hands and it seemed wonderful to be able to figure out what was wrong and use your hands to fix it. The fact that it was touted as being the “toughest specialty” and something “not typically taken up by women” (at least in my circles) made the decision easier. The choice to pursue Endocrine surgery came much later in training.
Is there a teacher or mentor who helped shape your career?
My earliest teachers were my parents who instilled in me their work ethic and a belief that there was nothing I could not accomplish. My brother exercised his god–given right as my younger sibling helped to keep me grounded and taught me not to take myself too seriously (at least not all of the time!).
I believe that there is no “chance meeting” and that we are the end result of interactions with my friends, teachers, mentors, and yes, even our patients. If I had to pick one person who has helped to shape my career more recently, it would be my fellowship director at UCSF, Dr. Orlo Clark. He set the standard for the kind of surgeon, researcher, colleague, teacher, and above all, human being that I aspire to be.
How or why did you choose the UI?
I was planning to return to Canada after completing my fellowship training. However, due to various reasons, I started to look for a job south of the border. I chose the University of Iowa as it offered me the opportunity to combine my clinical and research interests in a well-known academic surgery department. I was also impressed by the number of women faculty in the Department of Surgery.
What kinds of professional opportunities or advantages does being a faculty member at Iowa provide? What about challenges?
One of the greatest advantages Iowa has to offer is the opportunity to interact and collaborate with experts in pretty much any area of study one is interested in. People are very friendly and compared to other places I have lived and worked, there is virtually no traffic!
Please describe your professional interests.
My main area of clinical interest in Endocrine Surgical Oncology. I see and treat patients with tumors of the thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands. I also have an active Breast Surgical Oncology practice.
In addition, I conduct bench research with a primary focus towards studying novel diagnostic and prognostic genetic markers for thyroid cancers.
I love teaching and consider it a privilege to be able to contribute to shaping “the next generation.”
What are some of your outside interests?
Photography, music, reading, walking, and spending time with family and friends
Do you have an insight or philosophy that guides you in your professional work?
In general - If you’re going to do something, do it to the best of your abilities or don’t bother doing it at all. In patient care – Don’t lose sight of the whole in treating the part – take care of the individual and not just their illness. Also…listen to your patient and treat them and their families the way you would want to be treated if the situation was reversed.
If you could change one thing about the world (or the world of medicine), what would it be?
Universal healthcare - equal and timely access to all who need it.
What is the biggest change you've experienced in your field since you were a student?
Evidence-based approach to patient care has come to the bedside, which in turn, has been made possible by the advances in informational technology. This has allowed us to critically evaluate what we do as surgeons and bring the best and latest knowledge for use in the best interest of the patient.
What one piece of advice you would give to today's students?
Don’t train for a particular fantastic job or life. Find something that excites and fulfills you and do it…..and that fantastic job and life will find you.
In what ways are you engaged with the greater Iowa public?
I’ve participated in a radio interview on Thyroid cancer during Thyroid cancer Awareness month. I also give talks off campus to primary care practitioners and other related personnel in my area of expertise. As I get more settled in my professional life, I hope to be more active in this regard.