Dr Sarandeep Marwaha is a British born Indian doctor with an interest in promoting health awareness.
She comes from a non-medical, working-class background and attended a state school prior to gaining her medical degree. Her determination and willpower enabled her to graduate with a medical degree from St George’s University and an Honours degree in Cardiovascular Sciences from Imperial College of London and eventually become one of very few, female Cardiologists. She also took part in charitable and medical work in Mexico and Brazil and gained an interest in research whilst she was studying. She trained in general medicine and general cardiology and is currently doing her research PhD in heart disease, sudden death, and athlete’s heart.
1) Which place, or city or country do you most feel at home in?
Wherever my toothbrush is. Being a doctor I have moved around many times for training. I have learnt to ground my inner self and be happy wherever I am and make myself at home anywhere. Being British born I have the best of both worlds and have the opportunity and freedom to go anywhere, therefore I am privileged to be able to experience anyplace/city and it is a blessing for me.
2) What are your proudest achievements? (50 words response)
Putting a smile on someone’s face, whether that’s my parents/ siblings or the patients I treat. Still giving compassion and kindness in an environment of animosity or ruthless competitiveness. Most of all in moments when I’ve been strong willed and held my own when kindness is seen as weakness.
3) What inspires you?
Knowledge and my parents’ resilience.
4) What has been biggest obstacle in your career?
Gender Bias. I wouldn’t say discrimination but subconsciously we fall into gender bias. Changing people’s judgement or initial impressions of me have been hard. Missed opportunities due to not being the obvious choice and rather than it being down to experience or knowledge but due to the gender bias. It has made me work harder, but I feel I have gained more in the long run as nothing has come easy, I’ve had to carve my own path and not take the obvious route.
5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
God.
6) What is the best aspect about your current role?
After I have had a consultation and a patient tells me they finally understand what is wrong with them after not understanding, they make the changes we discuss, and I see the improvement. I take pride in my communication skills, and I think empowering patients, brings greater change than doctors giving just medication.
7) And the worst?
Losing to God. When someone dies it’s always hard, but who better to lose to. We all belong to him.
8) What are your long term goals?
Finishing my PhD firstly. To always learn, to not be the same person I was yesterday. To be able to promote health internationally and make heart disease more easily understandable, as prevention is better than cure. Most importantly have fun doing this and meet new people, new cultures, and learn new ways.
9) If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
I would want to reduce the inequality gap and promote education; wisdom comes from knowledge and experience. By imparting education this will deal with the knowledge aspect.
10) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why.
I wouldn’t want to spend my time with a historical figure. History is an interpretation of the past through someone’s views to make us learn. Those people were required for that time and not meant to be in my time. I would choose to either spend it alone to self-reflect or spend it with a loved one who would make the island experience a memorable one.
