Meet Dr. Niranjana Raj Dermatologist, Dermatosurgeon Joint Managing director – YCDC

Humanity has progressed slowly over the millennia trying to come to terms with the mysterious laws of nature by deciphering, unravelling, theorizing, proposing, proving and refuting the basic laws of physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology and sociology to spur humanity forward, by developing relevant applications for the teeming masses.

Although humanity has made great strides against disease, war, famine and other ills that plague humanity from time to time due to natural (like earthquakes) or deliberate causes (politicians deliberately wanting people in another nation to starve and cripple its government), we still have a lot more to do, especially in healthcare.

As technology continues to develop and begins to automate human roles that are composed of repetitive and transactional work but less critical thinking work, it is prudent to say that doctors, surgeons and health representatives, who can work hand in hand with technology, will be very important for society as their skills continue to be in demand.

The health fraternity are an overworked lot, deserving the respect we place upon them to take up the unenviable mantle of anticipating, diagnosing and advocating preventive steps to cure the ills of society. We spoke to Dr. NIranjana Raj, who gave us insights into the type of work she does and what being in the health fraternity means to her, both personally and professionally.

 

 

Tell us about yourself, what do you like most about your field of work?

I have completed MD from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences and have undergone a one-year fellowship program in Dermatosurgery and Hair transplantation from Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute. I’ve done approx 1500 cases of hair transplantation and am in charge of the hair transplantation wing of YCDC. This field is stimulating and interesting. In person I like solving problems of somebody and my profession gives me the opportunity of helping people by solving their issues every day and this gives me ultimate happiness both personally and professionally. As a doctor, I see both humanity at its best and worst.

Your previous jobs/ventures? What were you doing before choosing this field?

As mentioned earlier, I always wanted to be a doctor and it was my ultimate aim. My focus was very clear from beginning itself. So, after completing MD and fellowship I further extended my training under senior dermatologists and aesthetic plastic surgeons. Now, I am currently Joint Managing Director and in charge of the hair transplantation wing of YCDC. In addition to hair transplantation and hair loss management, cosmetic procedures and lasers I also have a keen interest in clinical diagnosis and management of systemic disorders with skin manifestations as well as in treating acne, allergies and skin pigmentation.

How did you land up doing what you do now?

I have grown up seeing my father helping people unconditionally by his profession and that always inspired and motivated me to be the same. So, since childhood, I have always aspired to become a doctor and follow my father’s footsteps. I had no doubt on the fact that I wanted to take up dermatology like my father as I feel since skin disease are visible on the outside it can really affect the confidence of a person as well as emotionally.

If not the current profession, what would you have been?

I have never seriously thought anything about it as I was always sure about being just like my father – A Doctor! If not for the field of dermatology, I was interested in gynecology also during my MBBS days as I was always interested in doing surgeries. I guess it was due to the fact that I was decided to specialize in cosmetic surgeries as I would get to do more surgeries than purely clinical dermatology.

What motivates you to keep going?

The thing that motivates me to keep going is very basic but is also vital for curing the patient. Acknowledging the patient and giving them the chance to express their concerns about life is enormously empowering. This is where we can help the patient just by lending an attentive ear to them. The effort rewards when this small action gives them some relief. Obviously, not all cases are the same. Some are very critical and even with our best efforts the disease becomes lethal but as a doctor it’s a privilege to guide and support both the patient and their family in their toughest times.

Tell us how a day in your life looks like? Your schedule for a day right from the time you get up till you hit the bed at night.

Although, my schedule is quite packed but still I try and maintain it as I feel it prime you for success. As our routine helps us to achieve more in our life, therefore every day I do work that actually matters to me. They keep you from tripping through your day and also make sure that you get things that are most important for you. So, I follow a discipline in my routine to achieve things. Cosmetic surgeries like hair transplantation requires at least 6-8 hours of continuous surgery for which a lot of stamina is required. Most days we do start operating at 6am in the morning. After which I start seeing outpatients for the day. Sometimes squeezing time personal and family in between this gets difficult although I do manage to take breaks in between for that!

Any regrets till now? If yes, will you like to share it with our readers? Nothing that comes immediately

I would say nothing as such professionally but when it comes to personal life sometimes it’s very difficult for me to share some quality time with my family because of some obvious professional reasons but still I don’t regret it as I always wanted to serve to those who needed me. So, I feel offering my time to them is what makes me happier in my life. And I’m grateful to my family that they have always supported me for the same and have never complained about it.

Any message that you want to send to your readers?

It gives me ultimate happiness to help you with your problems and also bring you back to normal. It was always what I wanted to do in my life. So, please feel free to approach us whenever you require us. I would wish for each and everybody’s healthy life so do drink a lot of water, eat green vegetables and fruit, maintain a routine and stay healthy!

 

Know a great startup story or want to share your own? Write to us at bhumikka.yaadav@gmail.com and we will get back to you. For more updates follow Bangalore Insider on Facebook.