A Legacy of Compassion: Dr. Varalakshmi’s Journey

“True fulfillment comes not from what we gain, but from what we give” a quote by Dr. Potnuru Varalakshmi, a doctor with MD Gynecologist, she has over 30 years of service, and she has focused on women’s health and community welfare. She is a chairperson of AIDNTDC, chairperson for DNTDC AP, chairperson for IRCS branch(Indian red cross society) and active member in SNEHA NGO. Her journey has been filled with challenges, but each of them has strengthened her commitment to serving others and using both healthcare and education to uplift her community.

Introduction:

Dr. Varalakshmi is a gynecologist and founder of the first multi-specialty hospital in Srungavarapu Kota. Along with her husband, Rajendra Prasad, an advocate, she co-founded several educational institutions to uplift healthcare and education in the community.

Her passion for medicine was inspired by her father’s commitment to service. Growing up in a rural village with limited healthcare access, she was driven to become a doctor. Securing an MBBS seat was a turning point in Dr.Varalaxmi’s life, fulfilling her father’s dream.

Dr. Varalakshmi's role model has always been her father, who was a headmaster with a heart full of compassion. She added “He would bring many poor and needy children into our home, teaching and caring for them as his own. Watching his selflessness had a profound impact on me, and it shaped my approach to both life and medicine. His dedication to uplifting others, despite our financial challenges, taught me the value of service, which has been the foundation of my career”.

One of the major turning points in her life was securing an MBBS seat at Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam. She was the first in her family, the first female in her village to achieve this. This was a pivotal moment that changed her life forever. Despite studying in Telugu medium until 12th grade, which made transitioning to medical studies in English very difficult, she persisted. She struggled through her first year, learning both English and medical subjects simultaneously. By her second year, she had not only adapted but excelled, winning a gold medal in pathology.

After completing her MBBS, financial difficulties forced her to work three shifts in different hospitals while studying during her travels and late into the night. Despite these challenges, she secured a top rank and was admitted to the MD gynecology at Andhra Medical College. Throughout her postgraduate studies, she remained punctual, sincere, and committed to both academics and skill development.

Upon completing her PG, she fulfilled her promise to herself to serve rural areas by returning to Srungavarapu Kota, where Dr.Varalaxmi started a small clinic after selling her jewelry and taking a ?50,000 loan. She was the first gynecologist and the first female doctor in the village. It wasn’t long before she became well-known in the area, as she not only provided medical services but also conducted free medical camps and donated 10% of her earnings.

Many women from nearby villages would come to her seeking help for their husbands’ alcoholism, which led her to start a de-addiction center. She adopted 20 families each month, isolating the males in the center, teaching them life skills, and covering the expenses for their families for the duration of the program.

Later, along with her husband, they expanded their efforts by establishing schools, a physical education college, a teacher training college, and a nursing college. Through these institutions, they continue to offer free education and scholarships to many poor and needy individuals, giving back to the community.

Challenges and Achievements:

Dr. Varalakshmi, the journey was not smooth, it was filled with challenges. During her MBBS, she faced several personal challenges. She lost her father in 3rd year of MBBS and got married in 4th year when both were students, which meant non-earning members but they didn’t want to depend on anybody for their survival. Her father passed away from a heart attack, which deeply shook her. The poor health services in her village contributed to his death, and this tragedy fueled her determination to return to rural areas to serve people who lacked access to proper healthcare.

Another one of the biggest challenges she faced was transitioning from Telugu medium to studying MBBS in English, which required tremendous effort. Also, financial struggles after MBBS forced her to work three shifts while studying. Starting her clinic in Srungavarapu Kota with minimal resources was also tough, but her determination to serve the community kept her going. Dr. Varalaxmi added, “Balancing the responsibilities of running a hospital, schools, and a de-addiction center has been challenging, but fulfilling”.

Dr. Varalaxmi received appreciation from the district collector for her work with the poor and needy, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, she was recognized by both the MLA and district authorities for offering her school and college buildings for quarantine use. She is also proud to be receiving the Global Women Inspiration Award, which is a recognition of her lifelong commitment to serving others. 

Her most significant achievements include establishing the first multi-specialty hospital and the first CBSE school in her area, providing free medical camps for tribal communities, and founding a de-addiction center that has transformed many families’ lives. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she offered her school and college buildings for quarantine purposes, earning appreciation from the MLA and district collector. Additionally, her work in education, offering scholarships to needy students, has been incredibly fulfilling.

Personal Insights:

Maintaining balance is challenging, but she prioritizes time management and sets clear boundaries between work and family. She makes sure to spend quality time with her loved ones, and she also delegates tasks where necessary. 

Her motivation comes from making a difference in the lives of underserved communities. The impact she sees on patients, families, and students keeps her going. Her father’s values and her commitment to service continue to inspire her every day.

Impact and Vision:

Currently, she is focused on expanding the reach of the de-addiction center to support more families struggling with alcoholism, way of deaddiction includes a free trip to Tirumala for those who quit liquor after taking oath on lord Venkateswara. They are also working on enhancing educational opportunities by offering more scholarships and improving facilities at her schools and colleges. In healthcare, she is committed to increasing the scope of free medical camps in tribal areas and exploring ways to provide better maternal care in rural regions. 

Expanding healthcare access in rural areas and continuing to support education for the underprivileged. She also aspires to further develop a de-addiction center to help more families. Ultimately, she wants to ensure that her work leaves a lasting impact on both healthcare and education in the community. She is also going to educational institutions both government and private for counselling the students towards moral living and hard-working nature and confidence build-up.

Conclusion:

Dr. Varalakshmi's advice to young women is to have courage and confidence in their abilities. She says “Don’t let obstacles deter you—every challenge is an opportunity to grow. Surround yourself with people who uplift you, and never forget the power of education and perseverance. Most importantly, lead with compassion, and always strive to leave the world better than you found it”.