Welcome to yet another interesting DocScopy session, a fascinating conversation with Dr. Abha Agrawal, MD, FACP, FACHE, Chief Medical Officer at Humboldt Park Health and MedBound Times.
Dr. Agrawal is a powerful personality and a force to reckon with!
Let's see what she has said about her journey from teaching at Harvard Medical School to running Humboldt Park Health (a 123-year-old safety-net hospital). This passionate conversation between Dr. Abha Agrawal and MedBound Times [Parul Soni and Atika Sharma] will inspire everyone.
Parul: Ma'am, please tell us about your life and professional journey.
Dr. Agrawal: I'm based in Chicago. I've been in healthcare Executive leadership roles in the US for the last 20 years and I enjoyed those roles. It allows me to make a wide impact on the patients as well as the Community that we serve.
I am very passionate about how we make the quality of care and safety of care the best possible for every patient that is here at Humboldt Park Health. So that's briefly what I do presently. I was born and brought up in Kosi Kalan, district Mathura. I went to medical school at S.N Medical College in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. I got top-notch medical knowledge from this college. My hometown and my medical college had a profound impact on my life's trajectory. I am grateful for all the values and knowledge I got from there. I came to New York to do my residency training. I was a Chief resident at State University New York. I did a Fellowship in Health Informatics at Yale University. I was a junior faculty and researcher at Harvard medical school. I came back to New York in various leadership roles in hospitals. Then 10 years ago I moved to Chicago where I was recruited as a part of turn around to save this hospital. It was on the verge of bankruptcy. It was in the news that this hospital is not going to make it.
You know there is a saying, "Once you lose a hospital, a community loses its service!"
Dr. Abha Agrawal, Chief medical officer, Humboldt Park
And years later this hospital is still standing and fully functional. Recently, we as a hospital got an award for the Top 10 Percent in patient safety among thousands of hospitals in the country. I am very proud of the work that has taken place in building up this hospital again over the last ten years.
In addition to this, I also love to read and write. I published my first book with Springer in 2004. The second and third editions have been published. Books include, "Patient Safety: A Case-based comprehensive guide" and "Health IT and Patient Safety: A Clinical case series". I have two startup companies; one is in the New York health IT space and the other is in India called A4 clinics on Robotic Neurorehabilitation.
Parul: What are you passionate about?
Dr. Agrawal: I'm passionate about healthcare technology as I am trained in Healthcare IT and health technology. I'm passionate about the impact of healthcare technology in the present as well as in the future. I am interested in Artificial intelligence, Machine learning, and the opportunities to transform healthcare. When it comes to technology. These are very, very exciting times ahead in the last several decades. And I'm excited to be a part of the transformation.
Parul: What are the challenges you are facing in your career and the start-up?
Dr. Agrawal: We at A4 clinic came up with the thought of providing advanced, accessible, affordable, and adaptive care for neurological cases. It is a state of art robotic neurorehabilitation and brain stimulation center. This is an Indian Venture, and the most common challenge we had was a lack of awareness.
Not among patients but among healthcare professionals, there is a lack of awareness of rehabilitation. There is also a lack of medical insurance among citizens. The family of patient feels a constraint in providing good healthcare because they can't afford the treatment. But I am optimistic about India's trajectory toward healthcare. Many things are changing in India, for the better of course. In ten years' time, there will be great development and India will become advanced in healthcare.
There is no medicine for Rehabilitation, you have to go through the process.
Dr. Abha Agrawal, Chief medical officer, Humboldt Park
Parul: What do you think about raising awareness about rehabilitation and healthcare insurance in India?
Dr. Abha Agrawal: We have to work tirelessly toward raising awareness and the government has to take steps toward providing health insurance. This is going to take time and effort from people like you and me. A lot of advocacy, planning, and efforts will eventually make it happen. This will not happen in one day, but change will happen.
Parul: Do you remember any incident which made a huge impact on you?
Dr. Abha Agrawal: There were some incidents I distinctly remember an old couple who came to the clinic in India. The elderly man had parkinsonism, they saw us for several months, and improved tremendously so much that he regained all his activities before Parkinsonism. There was this pregnant lady who came to us for Neuro rehab, she had some psychiatric disorder and was taking psychotropic drugs. The drug was not meant for a pregnant lady as it would damage the baby. She completely recovered and birthed a beautiful healthy baby. We became friends after her therapy.
Another beautiful thing happened here at Humboldt Park Health. A female patient came to us in much distress, she had severe depression. She regained custody of her two daughters after completely recovering from her depression. She did not have healthcare access previously and could not take care of herself and her daughters while having depression.
Parul: Were there any disappointments in your professional journey so far?
Dr. Agrawal: Well, there are tons of things. Like some patients who come to you, under your care, and discontinue. I have seen families with lots of resources ignoring elderly people and then losing all the improvement. When it comes to disappointments I try to implement one thing in my life which is from Mahabharata. I live by this quote when Lord Krishna explains to Arjuna the theory of Karmas. He said to believe in yourself and do your Karma (action) and success will follow you automatically. That is the secret of my life.
Karmanye Vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana - Shri Krishna
Dr. Abha Agrawal, Chief medical officer, Humboldt Park
Parul: What do you have to say to the young doctors, the budding professionals?
Dr. Agrawal: I am extremely positive about healthcare development in India. But I am concerned about the current scenario in India, the violence towards medical professionals. I condemn it and how are you going to keep the patient in the center of your universe when the patient doesn't trust you. The lack of trust has to be built up again. Our new and dynamic doctors can do it! Both doctors and society have to work towards it. But I say it again, the violence has to stop! A non-tolerance policy has to be in action. Immediate action has to be taken against the perpetrators.
There can be no trust-building as long as violence continues.
Dr. Abha Agrawal, Chief medical officer, Humboldt Park
Parul: Where do you see yourself two years down the line, what are your future goals?
Dr. Agrawal: My goal are to get all the possible help to people and patients. My ultimate goal is to make things better for the vulnerable, the quality of care better for all.
Parul: Do you miss India, having lived in the U.S.A for such a long time?
Dr. Agrawal: You know, you can't take India out of an Indian. India is in my heart forever! I am extremely proud of my heritage! I just got an award, the Chicago health executive forum award for Diversity, equity, and inclusivity. Our heritage teaches us so much about inclusivity and I don't miss an opportunity to reflect on that! And I miss everything about India, especially my family.
Parul: What is one food you would eat all year long?
Dr. Agrawal: I am a staunch vegetarian, nothing like mom's food. Maybe dal roti sabzi every day.
Parul: What would be an alternate profession for you?
Dr. Agrawal: I enjoy the long hours; I enjoy my profession. I would still be making an impact if I was not a doctor. I believe in making an impact. You can still make an effort wherever you are!
Thanks for reading!
