As I reflect on my life’s journey, I am truly amazed by how fascinating and challenging it has been. Growing up in a traditional family, becoming a doctor was not just a privilege—it was also a profound responsibility. My father, who was the sole provider for a family of 13, placed great emphasis on the importance of healthcare. This was rooted in the fact that he had lost his own mother to tuberculosis when he was just four years old. For him, providing better healthcare to his loved ones became a lifelong mission, one that he passed on to me.
As the eldest child, my father’s dreams became my duty. But with that came the realization that the journey ahead would be far from easy. As I pursued my medical career, I encountered many challenges that shaped me into who I am today. The path was never smooth, and the obstacles continued to evolve as I adapted to different phases of life, testing my resilience and adaptability.
One of the biggest challenges I faced was navigating the expectations around marriage. In a traditional Gujarati family, a daughter-in-law is typically not expected to pursue a career unless there’s a significant financial need. Initially, I struggled to reconcile this with my own aspirations. However, I was determined not to let my passion for medicine or my parents’ sacrifices go unfulfilled. Despite the difficulties, I chose to continue with my career, and over time, I found a way to balance both my professional and family life.
Today, after more than two decades in the healthcare field, I have grown into an evolving and dedicated professional. With over 20 years of experience, I have focused on leveraging technology to enhance health initiatives. My mission has always been to contribute to a healthcare system that is more efficient, effective, and equitable—one that improves individual health outcomes while also fostering community well-being through proactive health management and informed decision-making.
My journey has changed from being a clinical practitioner to working with private health tech companies, and now I’m proud to be part of the public health ecosystem. This shift has given me the chance to work on meaningful projects that aim to improve healthcare on a larger scale. It truly feels like I’m living my dream.
My journey with the foundation began in March 2023, and over the past two years, it has been a truly transformative experience. Every six months, I was given the opportunity to step into newer roles and contribute in a more diverse manner to the organisation, each bringing its own unique challenges and learnings. It started with designing programs specifically for RMNCHA, then moved into the realm of program product strategy, where I had the privilege of overseeing RMNCH programs across four states. From there, I worked on strengthening the existing product for frontline workers, and today, I am honored to be a part of the Centre of Excellence (CoE) team.
Along this journey, the foundation has also blessed me with wonderful friends—my “cousins”—who have become like an extended family, offering me unwavering support during some of my personal challenges. The Sanghas here have taught me invaluable lessons in self-love, compassion, and the power of reflection. Although the culture here was new to me, it has been nothing short of beautiful, and I am deeply grateful for the growth it has nurtured within me.
As I move forward on this journey, I am deeply thankful for the valuable lessons I’ve learned and for the chance to be part of shaping a healthcare system that is more just and impactful. I have faith that through innovation, teamwork, and perseverance, we can navigate the challenges before us and make a meaningful, enduring difference in the health of our communities.