Mother, doctor, wife

MBBS Graduation

I came across an interesting article by J. A. Hammond on the NCBI website. The title is "Mother, doctor, wife". Hammond talks about how women physicians often play a triple role: mother, doctor, and wife and how these individuals need to strive so much harder if they wish to make each role fulfilling and wish to balance their career and personal life. I found the read a page-turner because it resonated so well.


Looking back at my mom's life, not only was she all that but so much more: a loving and caring daughter, daughter-in-law, sister and aunt. Moreover, she took on these roles voluntarily and happily. Why I decided to write about this today is because I have been down with fever and sore throat since the past few days. As I open my medicine box (so meticulously packed by my parents from my India trips). Each medicine is labeled with symptoms and dosage/prescription. I fondly remember when I fell ill, mummy would make delicious tomato and chicken soups with bread croutons. Her hand on my forehead was such a magical feeling! 


I remember my mom being one of the first people next to relatives' side when they were going through a medical ailment, during deliveries or even at some's death bed The only thing that saddens me is we were not

With Minister of Health, Algeria

not beside her when she breathed her last. Although friends and family ask us to take consolation in the fact that she had such a sudden and painless death. She was at her clinic even a few hours before, seeing patients. Later when one of those patients came for a follow-up checkup, he was shocked to hear about her demise. He had brought sweets to express his gratitude that he was already cured in his first visit. He said that mom was the number one ENT surgeon in foreign body extraction in the area. I felt happy for her:that she managed not only to get a grip back but also  excel in her profession in spite of making our betterment her topmost priority in life. I am so proud of you mom.

My parents met during the third year of med school (MBBS) in SCB Medical College, the premier institute of the state. Later they did their post graduation (MS) from PMCH (Patna Medical College and Hospital) in their respective specialities. My father went for PG first. My mom continued to work as a doctor during that  year and sponsored his education. The following year, she joined PG herself on a DGHS (Director General Health Services) scholarship funded by Goverment of India. Following their specialization, they went on a foreign assignment to Algeria. Mom joined as ENT specialist and father as an Orthopedic specialist. Although they both became very popular in the hospital there they  believed that they learned a lot professionally while working alongside world renowned surgeons who also happened to be posted around the same time. I have very nice memories from my childhood there. Our neighbors and family friends were extremely warm and hospitable people.

Papa and Mummy with their colleagues

After my parents returned to India in the late eighties, they joined Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar. Around this time, although my mother was approved for the specialist position, she forwent that and instead went with the assistant surgeon position. She didn't accept the specialist opportunity for the next decade or so, until I was in college. She chose to take this professional setback so that she could focus on my education. I believe she did a phenomenal job in that she not only was instrumental in helping me settle into the new academic environment but went above and beyond to ensure I was exposed to academics, music, arts, you name it. I owe everything I have learnt to her.

After I got accepted into engineering, she brought her focus back to her career. My father also helped her pick up where she left, e.g. he constantly encouraged and inspired her to expand her experience with different procedures, surgeries, etc. They both retired as Head of Department in the ENT and Orthopedic Division of the state hospital. They took voluntary retirement so that they could focus full-time in the private practice they had been running since years by then. Following Mummy's death, Papa still keeps himself engaged in the same clinic, which they both passionately established and grew during their life time.