Women Doctors at Fortis Mohali break the glass ceiling by taking up professions otherwise considered as Male Bastion

Chandigarh, March 8, 2024: A growing number of women doctors in India are breaking barriers into the male bastion and opting for medical professions, which until now, were mostly preferred and dominated by their male counterparts. On the occasion of International Women’s Day on 8th March, we celebrate the relentless dedication and contribution of the Women clinicians at Fortis Hospital Mohali, who’ve left a mark in their profession and inspire others to do so.

For Dr Priti Rabadiya, DNB (Diplomate of National Board) in General Surgery at Fortis Mohali, the journey of becoming a doctor wasn’t an easy one[RS1] . Hailing from a humble background and adamant on fulfilling her dream of becoming a doctor, Dr Rabadiya also availed a loan to complete her MBBS. Sharing how the handling of medical emergencies prompted her to choose General Surgery, Dr Rabadiya, said, “I was always drawn to operation theatres as immediate action is required to save a life. I feel content treating patients suffering from life-threatening illnesses and injuries.”

Echoing a similar view, Dr Amarpreet Sandhu, DNB in Neurosurgery Department, Fortis Mohali, said, “Intricacies of the brain and nervous system always fascinated me. The human brain is highly complex and treating critically-ill patients gives me immense satisfaction[RS2] as I try my best to help reduce a patient’s suffering. It was hard to maintain work and personal life balance as I have two children but I managed well. One has to have unlimited dedication to deliver the best to patients. This was not possible without the motivation and encouragement of my mentors Dr VK Khosla and Dr Ashis Pathak.”

Talking on similar lines, Dr Sanjana Kamath, DNB in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery (CTVS), Fortis Mohali, said, “CTVS is a wondrous yet challenging field that demands a lot of skill. But being able to treat complex diseases and seeing people lead fulfilling lives after their surgeries, makes it all the worthwhile. Considering that CTVS is fraught with emergencies and long hours, it takes a very understanding and supportive environment for a surgeon, especially a woman, to thrive. I am extremely fortunate to have my family as my source of strength and serenity.”

Giving an insight into her life, Dr Shivan Duggal, Senior Resident, Cardiology, Fortis Mohali, said, “Being a cardiologist is a rewarding experience. As a doctor, I get the opportunity to make an impact to peoples’ lives and treat patients better.”