Empowered by Purpose and Perseverance: Dr. Sree Sowjanya’s Ascendancy in Emergency Medicine

In the dynamic and demanding field of emergency medicine, few professionals have made as profound an impact as Dr. Patibandla Sree Sowjanya. As the Chief Emergency Physician at Yashoda Hospitals in Hyderabad and the National Treasurer for the Society for Emergency Medicine India (SEMI), Dr. Sowjanya has dedicated her career to advancing emergency medicine, championing innovation, and fostering a more inclusive healthcare environment. Her journey is a testament to resilience, dedication, and innovation, transforming her personal challenges into professional triumphs.

Introduction

Dr. Patibandla Sree Sowjanya has served as the Chief Emergency Physician for 15 years and currently she is working at Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad. She has also been a National Board Member of the Society for Emergency Medicine India for the last 12 years and chairs the Research Committee at the International Federation of Emergency Medicine (IFEM). Her career, marked by significant milestones, has been dedicated to enhancing emergency care in India.

From a young age, Dr. Sowjanya excelled in mathematics and science. Her passion for medicine was so strong that she left her IIT seat in Biotechnology to pursue medicine at M.S. Ramaiah Medical College. A traumatic experience at the age of 10, witnessing her father suffer a massive heart attack, shaped her destiny. During her residency, a severe road traffic accident further directed her towards specializing in emergency medicine, encouraged by a close friend who recognized her potential. Since then, there has been no turning back in her journey to save lives.

Challenges and Achievements

Dr. Sowjanya’s journey has not been without its challenges. As a female in the male-dominated field of emergency medicine, she faced numerous obstacles, from being addressed as "sister" instead of "doctor" to dealing with insubordination during life-saving procedures. However, these challenges only strengthened her resolve. Through perseverance and dedication, she not only overcame these barriers but also paved the way for other women in the field, advocating for gender equity and mentoring young female physicians.

Achievements in Emergency Medicine

Dr. Sowjanya’s contributions to emergency medicine are numerous:

• Standardizing Emergency Medicine Education: She has played a pivotal role in standardizing emergency medicine education in India, ensuring a consistent and high-quality training program for future emergency physicians.
• Examination Standards: As Chief Controller of Examinations at SEMI, she has uplifted and made the examination processes transparent, significantly improving the standards of training in emergency medicine.
• Mentor ship for Women Emergency Physicians: Dr. Sowjanya has been a mentor to countless young female physicians, fostering an inclusive environment and advocating for gender equity in healthcare.
• Quality Standards: Dr. Sowjanya has been instrumental in setting up quality standards for emergency medicine. Her work ensures that emergency departments operate at the highest levels of efficiency and patient care, contributing significantly to better patient outcomes.

Dr. Sowjanya's expertise in quality assessment is highlighted by her roles as an NABH assessor, an internal assessor for Joint Commission International (JCI), and a QAI assessor for emergency department standards. Her experience in these roles is critical for maintaining high standards in patient care and safety, ensuring that emergency departments provide the best possible care.

Technology Integration

• Remote Patient Monitoring: Dr. Sowjanya has been instrumental in developing early warning scores for remote patient monitoring. This innovation allows continuous monitoring of patients from their homes, ensuring real-time data collection and timely medical interventions.
• Artificial Intelligence in Medicine: She has shown a keen interest in artificial intelligence, working on predictive medicine and early warning scores. Her vision includes developing a virtual emergency room (ER) to make emergency care accessible to every individual in the country, leveraging AI to predict and prevent medical emergencies.

Awards and Accolades

Dr. Sowjanya's excellence and dedication have been recognized with numerous awards:

• EPI Star Award by Emergency Physicians India (2015)
• Women Leadership in Healthcare (March 2022)
• Visionary Industry Tech Award by IFEM (2023)
• Healthcare Legend in Emergency Medicine (October 2023)
• APJ Abdul Kalam Award for her work in Emergency Medicine (April 2024)

She also serves as an editorial board member for the National Journal of Emergency Medicine and holds several key positions within the International Federation of Emergency Medicine.

Personal Insights

Balancing a demanding career with personal life, Dr. Sowjanya credits regular meditation and mindfulness practices for helping her stay present and productive. Her core values of compassion, consistency, and integrity guide her both professionally and personally, ensuring she remains grounded and focused on her mission.

Inspire to Innovate

A proponent of digital health technologies, Dr. Sowjanya envisions a future where healthcare is accessible and efficient, regardless of geographical barriers. She believes that strengthening primary care and leveraging technology are crucial steps towards achieving this goal. Her forward-thinking approach is not just about immediate patient care but about shaping a sustainable and inclusive healthcare system for the future.

Dr. Sowjanya's vision includes leading groundbreaking innovations in geriatric care, primary care, remote patient monitoring, and predicting sudden cardiac arrests. She aims to focus on gender-specific medicine, ensuring an equitable healthcare environment for all.

Conclusion

Dr. Sowjanya’s advice to young women in healthcare is to believe in themselves and be resilient in the face of challenges. She encourages viewing challenges as growth opportunities and advocating for oneself. Establishing strong networks within and outside the field is crucial. Life phases like marriage, pregnancy, and childcare should not hinder a career chosen with passion. Seeking support from home and the workplace, advocating for women colleagues, and mentoring young professionals are key to preventing the leaky pipeline of women emergency physicians in their mid-career.

As she continues to lead and inspire, Dr. Sowjanya proves that with determination and passion, one can truly make a difference. Her closing quote encapsulates her mission: "Emergency care should reach every deserving patient in this country." This statement is not just a reflection of her professional ethos but a clarion call for the future of healthcare in India.