In conversation with Dr. Chandrika Kambam on her career till date, plans and priorities for the road ahead, as also her approach to life and its myriad challenges.
How do you look back on your early years of upbringing and education?
My father was in a job and mother a homemaker, and both wanted their kids to get good grades and do well in career and life. So, education was always a top priority at home. As for other things, though we might not have had a luxurious life, we had all the basic amenities – food, clothing, shelter – and most important, we enjoyed all the simple pleasures in life, playing with the neighborhood friends, nature walks at Lalbagh and Cubbon Park, and regular trips to our native Kadapa in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh to meet our aunts, uncles, and cousins. Life was never dull. I was the eldest of the three kids, so I assumed all age-appropriate responsibilities and took care of my siblings. Talking of education, I was not a very bright kid to begin with. If you ask me why, I don’t have an answer. It was not that I was not capable of studying, just that I didn’t do it. There are few things in my life that just happened, I could not figure out their cause to this day, this is one of them!
Why do you call your 7th grade your turning point?
As told before, I was not good at studies initially. As you know, back then people evaluated a kid’s worth based on marks, as grades were the only objective parameter to judge a student’s capability. My parents and teachers firmly believed that only the kids scoring good marks could make it big in life. I can’t say they were completely wrong as scoring good marks calls for discipline, hard work, and the ability for delayed gratification, which are crucial for any exceptional achievement in life. My lackadaisical academic performance could also have something to do with my poor health till the 6th grade. I had regular bouts of viral fevers, and missing school became a norm. All this affected my self esteem and confidence. Around 7th grade, my health improved, and so did my report card. I am sure the teenage growth spurt played a key role.
What could have caused the turnaround?
I was always a thinker of sorts. The quality of introspection helped me take a good hard look at my life at an unlikely age. These attributes helped me decide that I have to somehow change the trajectory of my life and become something I deserve. So, I put my heart and soul into my studies and practiced from dawn to dusk, to the extent that my text book pages were imprinted in my brain. During exams, the book lines flashed before my eyes, and answering questions most dramatically became a breeze. I stood second in both 10th and 12th grades and scored 94%. Math, which was my biggest fear and weakness, became my most favorite subject, and I scored 97/100.
My reading habit also helped me immensely. I would read whatever I would lay my hands on. Especially life stories of achievers, whether politicians, film stars, sporting icons, or corporate leaders. I always worked on applying their learnings to my life wherever possible. My house used to be filled with all kinds of magazines - India Today, Week, Filmfare, Stardust, Woman’s Era, Femina to name a few. I was good at reading and grasping concepts. Even today, when I need to do a quality project at work, I gather the bulk of content published on the subject, or if I have medico-legal case to solve, I read the repository of similar cases. In recent times, I have been reading books and periodicals on Boards, Valuations, Funding, Healthtech and the like.
On the flip side, I feel my thinking habit robbed me of my childhood innocence and playfulness. Being rational and practicing self control took a toll somewhere, I guess! The fact that I was from a middle class family, eldest daughter, and only my father as the breadwinner was always at the back of my mind, which fueled the resolve to rise above all odds.
I would like to tell the younger generation that one doesn’t have to be super intelligent to score good marks. Practice is the key to success. Maybe a student with high IQ needs to read a passage 1-2 times, and you may have read 5-6 times to achieve the same result. It is important to recognize one’s IQ level, and put in commensurate effort to achieve the goal. It worked for me, and it can work for anybody. I had to give up on a lot of things, keep my focus, and study several times to achieve the same result while many others would still enjoy social life and study minimally. At the end of the day, it is the outcome that matters.
Who or what was instrumental in you opting for medicine as your vocation?
In 12th Grade , I scored 94% in PCMB and I got 400-something rank in Engineering, and 518th rank in Medicine. In 1993, it was CET in vague and these were my state ranks. Those days, and even today, parents are crazy about their kids taking up engineering or medicine as careers. I had qualified in both, so it was a no brainer that I should go the Medicine way. But since I also had an eye on the need for financial stability, I was worried that the Medicine curriculum would not get me on my feet as fast as the engineering stream could, I discussed my predicament with my father. He was absolutely sure Medicine was the path for me, and he told not to worry about the responsibilities on the home front. In hindsight, I feel this was one point in my life when I needed a mentor to guide me on the apt career path in line with my affinity and aptitude. I strongly feel if I had the guidance, I would have chosen engineering but back then, I simply went with the flow. So this is my humble plea to students of 12th grade and their parents: envision a 10-year trajectory in line with the student’s strengths, weaknesses, likes, and dislikes, before deciding the path. Don’t adopt the herd mentality!
Can you recount the highlights of your US stint for higher education?
TIMING has been a key factor in many of my decisions in my life, especially during the post MBBS span. At a crossroads after MBBS, I had the option of pursuing a Postgraduate course in India or abroad or marry a US bound engineer and settle in the US in line with the 90s trend. Many of my seniors and cousins had happily taken the latter route.
To this day, I don’t have an answer as to why I thought marriage was the ticket to study overseas, or why I didn’t do it on my own. I only blame myself for not having spoken to enough people who would have given me the right direction, knowledge, and understanding of the Post-graduation voyage; yet again, the absence of a mentor hurt my prospects. So, I landed in the US through the beaten track, finished my qualifying exams, and got into residency. Studying in the US broadened my horizons, training here was more application based and helped us in critical thinking, system-based learning, and process-oriented action. It truly laid the foundation for my career and shaped me as a person as well. I became more objective, unbiased, systematic and learnt how to solve problems based on systemic and process improvement, rather than based on an individualistic approach. It also helps me to stay apolitical and aligned to the organization rather than to individuals.
How were the early days of working as a Hospitalist? What made you come back to India amid opportunities of making it big in the US?
Life of a doctor after post graduation definitely gets better in the US. They are able to access better support systems to practice Medicine. Also the pay scale is in the top 1% of the income bracket. Life was hunky dory there, and yet I came back to India due to family reasons. Working as a Hospitalist was like a seamless extension of my residency with the reassuring comfort of a good salary. I had a very short stint of one year there, so before I could get my feet entrenched and reap the fruits of my labor, it was time for me to pack my bags and return to my homeland. As I said earlier, timing has played a key role in my life decisions. Our daughter was about to start her schooling, so it was the right time to settle at one place and witness her childhood years in a stable environment, in the company of her grandparents, cousins, and other relatives.
What was the trigger that made you opt for a degree in medical law and ethics besides securing an MBA?
When I came back to India, I implemented a similar concept by tweaking it to the Indian context in one of the corporate hospitals. But I realized I could do more and craved to apply my knowledge of process-based approach to help improve systems back home. For that, I had to get into administration. So it was natural for me to learn concepts around business, law, quality, and leadership which further strengthened my system and process based approach. My vision kept widening as I set and achieved higher goals for myself.
I never knew I had this constant drive and curiosity to learn, grow and keep doing something, be part of solutions rather than crib about problems. I never knew this part of me until I finished my MD and started working. Till then my goal was just to secure a degree and start my own practice and continue it till I die. But no, I found myself a different person, wanting to do more, learn more and make a difference in some way or the other. I found good mentors which made all the difference for my career in India. I would bounce off my thoughts to them, discuss pros and cons, and put concepts into practice. There was no looking back for me since then.
I also changed the mechanics of my introspection. In my new avatar, I spent little time in analysis. For instance, when I read an article from some renowned and revered person on any macro topic like leadership, finance & investing, or Healthtech, I just follow their advice; I don’t rack my brain on validating their spoken word. Once I am sure of my source of knowledge and information, I just follow the advice. This agility has helped me in many ways: I no longer waste time, I don’t spend energy overthinking, and I am willing to take calculated risks.
So, in a way, you were born anew.
Absolutely! The new approach helped me follow the rules unconditionally. Ever since, I always think of how to make things better in the given framework, rather than break the rules and take risky shortcuts. It is prudent to follow the traffic rules of life rather than look for ways to bypass them. I am also against using Jugaad; I would rather partner with a team to come up with long-term systemic solutions to resolve sticky challenges. I also trust people to empower them. When we understand the team players’ strengths and weaknesses and build on it, magic happens.
It is better to let the team explore possibilities in the area of their strengths while supporting them in their area of their weakness. As regards new-age tech, I quickly made friends with it rather than crib over potential downsides or loopholes. I respect the founders of disruptive tech and I relish using the gadgets and devices to my advantage. I make it a point to use a product following the manual to a tee to make the most of its value prop. I am amazed how many people don't think twice before misusing a product (defying every instruction on its proper and intended use) and then claim refunds (just because they are easily available) or haggle for discounts and freebies. I hate when people take out their frustrations on the poor delivery guy.
I don’t know whether my approach is good or bad. Am I too naive or straightforward? Am I overdoing things? … only time will tell. What I am sure of is that I am certainly not stupid, considering my achievements till date.
You have been a strong proponent of clinical governance. Can you elaborate on your conviction and strides in this crucial area?
Having traversed the healthcare industry in the last 16 years, I feel robust Clinical Governance is the next pivotal need for our country. Leaders in the 80s established private and corporate hospitals. In late 90s and early 2000, we sensed the need for quality and accreditations and worked towards forming various bodies and organizations. These were the foundations or the building blocks. As we move towards Universal Coverage and Insurance products covering all aspects of care delivery, it is important to monitor and guide the clinical practice through a fool-proof Clinical Governance system, failing which we cannot but control costs. Consequently, Universal Coverage and Extended Insurance products won’t sustain. Hence, the next-gen leaders in the healthcare industry have to take the baton from the stalwarts and and take excellence to the next level. When India has UPI, AADHAR, ABHA and so on and so forth, why can’t we have clinical protocols that are applicable to all, that would help monitor our care delivery systems in terms of clinical outcomes and cost of care.
Where do you think the world and India are at the moment in terms of gender parity at work? Are women professionals finding it easier than before to make their mark in their chosen spheres?
This is a very complex topic involving, social, cultural and economic angle, deep roasted beliefs that have been there for centuries. There is no one size fits all solution for this. Are more girls going to school, may be yes, are more girls graduating from college may be yes. Are more women working in unorganized and organized sectors, maybe yes. But are they growing in their chosen field and contributing equally the answer is NO. The reasons are multifactorial, starting from women themselves not wanting to do so, to systemic issues, biases and interpersonal problems, which broadly can be classified as intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Whereas we as society can work together are see how extrinsic factors can be made as less as possible, it is the intrinsic factors that need to be addressed by each woman herself.
Could you share fond memories of your stints like Columbia Asia, HCG, Even and the like?
Columbia Asia was like a second home to me. This is where I found my purpose, discovered myself and realized my potential. The leadership team of Columbia Asia was a Harvard School of Business adapted for our use in real time. I was blessed with a support system of great leaders, good team mates. When you get to spend 13 years of your early career in such company, you absorb their thoughts, knowledge and attitude like a sponge, which I did. Most importantly, these stalwarts taught us to be good human beings, before anything else. I see that ethos reflecting to this day in all Ex-Columbia Asia hospitals. The brand is history but the case study is timeless.
HCG exposed me to a different experience, a different leadership style, and a different environment. It made me a stronger person and helped me experiment with the lessons I had learnt in Columbia Asia to make a resounding impact in terms of outcomes, and sure it did work!
EVEN, my current workplace, has a refreshingly different flavor to it; a definitive Gen Z startup vibe where ‘Cool’ is the in-word and where purposeful risk-taking is the norm. Truly fertile soil for someone like me who is constantly looking for challenges in greener pastures.
Why and when did you decide to turn an entrepreneur?
As I had said earlier, it is all about timing. I was again at a crossroads when I had the luxury of a settled life –doting parents, happy sisters, and a teenager daughter full of starry-eyed ambition. I worked tirelessly for close to two decades and built a cozy cocoon for me and my family. Now I envisioned before me another two decades of productive work life. I thought this was the right time for me to start something on my own, which would be my vision, my brain child.
So, I invested in a sunrise startup and began my entrepreneurial journey. Being in the healthcare industry, and working closely with healthcare professionals, I sensed the need for a credible and comprehensive platform to address career needs, be it job-seeking, upskilling, or finding mentors. That was the origin of anastomos.com. The platform brings out the power of collaboration, it's like the whole universe coming together for the benefit of each other, a place where you not only get something out for yourselves but also contribute to the benefit of your clan. Hope healthcare professionals across the globe weight the value prop and reap the benefits for themselves and make this product a resounding success!
Any other thoughts that come to mind?
Working towards human capital development in healthcare, adding value to careers, and grooming professionals in key life skills and core competencies is a compelling passion of mine. No one actually teaches us these skills, unless you have parents and mentors who have been there and done that and also have time and inclination to impart this critical knowledge. I deeply value the contribution of my mentors and elders to my life and career, which has made all the difference.
I would like to tell the enterprising people among the younger generation that it is not necessary to start out as an entrepreneur right out of college or by dropping out of college. Age is no barrier to entrepreneurial ventures and voyages. In my case, the initial phase of my career was all about ensuring financial well being. As I accomplished goals one after another, I acquired the intent and ability to broaden my horizon, which is when I took calculated risks for giving back to society in a meaningful way.
I also wish to share a thought for the benefit of the younger generation: if you are not ready to put in the hard work, or you feel being a leader is not your cup of tea, it's perfectly ok. Be genuinely happy about where you are, and what you are doing. If you have carefully calibrated your materialistic needs within the framework of possibility, there should be no disconnect between your actions and aspirations. In life and work, strive to leave no room for regret and resentment.