Creating Space at the Table

Reflecting on identity, heritage and belonging during AANHPI Heritage Month

When I think about the sense of belonging, especially in healthcare, my mind often goes to the mentors that I have had in my life that have opened up a seat at the table for me. When I entered residency, I was pretty confident I knew what I wanted to do—to be an academic neurologist that spent time in research and clinical care. But as I worked on projects with big names in the field, I couldn’t help suppress the feeling that clinical research wasn’t for me.

I recall being at a crossroads and meeting with the Chief Transformation Officer for the system (Babar Khokhar), asking for career advice. He not only took time to listen, but recommended that I join his team of internal consultants looking at how we can improve healthcare delivery. As I saw how the work that I was involved in positively change the way staff and patients experienced healthcare, I knew that this was something I wanted to do for the rest of my career.

I eventually became a physician lead on that team and decided to also pursue an MBA. My mentor not only helped create an administrative faculty position for me, but made a call to the dean to advocate on my behalf for admissions in the executive MBA program.

I have been incredibly blessed throughout my career to have relationships and mentors that have really made me feel like I belong. I try to remind myself each day that the individual tasks that often take up most of our time will one day fade from memory, but the impact that you have on others will continue to carry on.