Many Indian women thinkers, pioneers, innovators, entrepreneurs, engineers, and doctors are celebrated nationally and internationally for their pioneering personalities and monumental achievements. Dr Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi (1865 to 1887) was India’s first female doctor as she studied western medicine in the United States and received her MD in 1886, setting an example for others to follow.
Dr Anandibai Joshi was soon followed by Dr Kadambini Ganguly, who was fortunate enough to become the first to have a career as a practicing doctor. Dr Kadambini was followed by Dr Rukhmabai Raut, Dr Haimabati Sen, and many more such tradition breakers and path setters.
Following in these legends’ path, Dr Vanita Arora chose Cardiac Electrophysiology as her area of specialization when most people (including doctors) did not know about it. Dr Vanita has been 38 years in the medical profession and has been practicing Cardiac Electrophysiology for the last 25 years.
She is the first lady electrophysiologist in the country. She proudly pioneers many techniques that she brought to India over her tenure as a Cardiac Electrophysiologist. She started the technique of 3D mapping of arrhythmias at Escorts Heart Institute, New Delhi, after training at St. Luke & Aurora Heart Hospital, WI, USA.
She has revolutionized the management of heart failure through device therapy in India. The therapy of leadless pacemakers pioneered by her has propagated because of the workshops and training sessions she has taken.
She has done first Live Case of a Leadless Pacemaker at TCT India Conference in 2016. Conduction system pacing has taken the world of pacing with a huge change in concepts and techniques. And after having had proctorship training from Rush University, Chicago, Dr Vanita has been enhancing the technique for benefitting challenging patients.
In celebration of her many achievements, accolades, and honors as ‘Best Of 5 Cardiologist To Watch – 2023,’ team Insights Success had an exclusive interview with Dr Vanita, where she spoke heartily, elaborating on her role as the Senior Consultant of Cardiac Electrophysiologist and Interventional Cardiologist at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi. The Highlights of the discussion are given ahead.
Ma’am, please tell us something about your area of specialization.
Cardiac Electrophysiology is a super specialty of cardiology that deals with the heart’s electricity or heartbeats. It deals with the slow heartbeat, fast heartbeat, and devices for heart failure. This branch lacks awareness in India as it is a difficult and challenging branch of cardiology, so a smaller number of cardiologists venture into it. But over the last decade, the progress and awareness of this branch have been good.
What was your inspiration behind venturing into the Cardiac Electrophysiology niche?
The inspiration behind taking cardiac electrophysiology as my carrier has been my passion for the subject. It fascinates me to date to understand the genesis of arrhythmias and make a correct diagnosis while others keep wondering, which gives me a thrill par excellence. I love cardiac electrophysiology and could not have asked or opted for a better branch. Every case is a challenge, and solving it is just magical.
What are the USPs that highlight your hospital as a leading name in Cardiology Solutions Industry?
USPs of Apollo hospital lies in the vision of the top management to always aim to use the latest technology available in any part of the world to be brought to Apollo hospital for the benefit of Indian patients. Venturing into the future with AI (Artificial Intelligence) says much about this vision.
What were the initial challenges after venturing into the field, and what are the challenges now? How do you overcome them?
Being the first female to have joined the “Man’s” field of Cardiac Electrophysiology was not easy and required a lot of hard work, patience, intelligence, perseverance, and strength.
A Lady is not accepted in a male-dominated field. I often had to face bias, use, and mental abuse. But it was my inner strength that kept me going. The promotions and privileges were often delayed or denied due to only one factor – being a “Female.”
The strength to prove oneself has to be strong, and one has to be relentless, or else one fades away amongst the crowd.
Where do you envision yourself eventually, and what are your future goals? How do you plan to embrace the changes happening in the healthcare industry?
My future goals are to be the biggest and the state of art Cardiac Electrophysiology department in the country with the latest technological advancements for the benefit of the patients. The amalgamation of AI with arrhythmia care of Cardiac patients will be amazing.
What would be your advice to the aspirants willing to venture into the cardiology field?
My advice is to join Cardiac Electrophysiology only if you love this branch, as there are no shortcuts in training and learning. It is a long career course with fewer financial rewards but huge satisfaction at the patient outcome level if you complete your training in a good way. In this career, sacrifices may be involved with your personal life, but rewards in the form of thrill, success, and patient satisfaction are humongous.
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