I am a graduate and post-graduate in Anesthesiology from MAMC, New Delhi. Like most young doctors, I had little idea about life, career, practice, and simply followed the examples set by my seniors. I joined Government service as it was considered to be an extremely prestigious career at that time. I was posted in Irwin hospital(LNJP hospital), New Delhi for almost 20 years. During my tenure there I worked as an active clinician for 15 years in ICU’s, OT’s and Emergency. Later I shifted to hospital administration as I had a desire to grow in other areas and explore “life”!
I am blessed to have experienced healthcare through different lenses. Starting as a clinician in one of the largest Government hospitals in India, I moved on to establish my own nursing home cum clinic in an extremely remote village in the Himalayas (I wanted to provide healthcare services to the rural poor). After voluntary retirement from government service I joined Corporate hospitals to lead some of the largest hospital groups in India.
I started my corporate healthcare stint with Fortis as a Medical Director with the primary responsibility to bridge the gap between doctors and management. Having domain expertise in both, I was seen as an ideal fit. After a brief stint at Fortis, I worked with Apollo Hospitals as Group COO and later Global Hospitals group (now Global Gleneagles) as Executive Director. I handled P&L responsibility for these groups and lead the teams to achieve 30-100 % growth on top line with 3 to 5 % increase in EBIDTA margins. I was able to turnaround a few hospitals in these groups and additionally developed on of the best-in-class operating model for Apollo hospitals in partnership with Mckinsey called “Apollo Way”.
By accident, I was introduced to Leadership skills training/Organisation Development/ Strategy/Finance. Although this was all non-clinical, I found it fascinating and became a certified trainer in these areas. I took on assignments as a consultant and trainer for non-healthcare companies on subjects dealing with leadership, management, negotiation skills and marketing. Some of my clients were: St. Stephens Hospital, Godfrey Phillips India, Tata Motors, DCM Ltd., KPIT, Hexacom, Nicholas Piramal, National Thermal Power Corporation, Quest life science, Ranbaxy laboratories, Transport corporation of India, Trident Group of companies, Usha Drager, XPS cargo services, Bharti Cellular- Airtel, World Food Programme & UNDP
Presently I have my Advisory role – with PE funds in emerging markets to evaluate hospitals for acquisition. Till date I have evaluated more than 50 hospitals in India, Bangladesh, Turkey, North Africa, GCC and other geographies. I also consult with firms like Mckinsey, E&Y, Frost & Sullivan, BCG. I advise companies and investors looking at starting new ventures or expanding their current operations and am presently advising ITC Group on their healthcare foray. I also chair the CII- Technical Committee on Health.
My current service offerings to hospitals include- Business Consultancy on Growth strategy, improving profitability, streamlining clinical & non clinical operations, incorporating digital technology in Marketing and Leadership training. I also have a team of experienced healthcare professionals who can support hospital managements on execution of these plans.
Observing that Healthcare marketing is struggling to engage with the changed environment- patient behaviour and the power of digital technologies I have created a revolutionary service for doctors and hospitals that completely transforms their Marketing and guarantees unparalleled results. These tools and services are provided by my company Catex Health.
I am passionate about using my diverse knowledge and experience to equip doctors and hospital managers. Through Master Classes on the web and in person training programmes I impart practical knowledge and non-clinical skills that are essential for starting, establishing and growing a medical practice, clinic, nursing home or a large hospital. These are skills that are not taught in a medical college but are critical for success today. These workshops provide practical, actionable education which can help individuals to understand Basics of Finance, Marketing, Leadership, management and use of digital technologies.
Apart from this I am an avid reader of all kinds of books from fairy tales to Management treatises! I also love trekking (was an active mountaineer) adventure sports, travel & food.