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Chairman's Corner
Chairman's Corner
What do you make?
What do you make?
Ravi Ramakantan
Ravi Ramakantan
It never ever occurred to me that I should do private practice – not as an intern - when I was deciding on a specialty to choose as a career – not today when it appears that private practice will be ‘legalized’ for us.
It never ever occurred to me that I should do private practice – not as an intern - when I was deciding on a specialty to choose as a career – not today when it appears that private practice will be ‘legalized’ for us.
Why? Many have asked me off and on. Those who are close to me and know me well have sort of written me off – “He is slightly off…” they would say and some of you, I am sure, will readily agree- perhaps increasing the “slightly” scale!
Why? Many have asked me off and on. Those who are close to me and know me well have sort of written me off – “He is slightly off…” they would say and some of you, I am sure, will readily agree- perhaps increasing the “slightly” scale!
Over the years, I have easily adjusted to a lifestyle that suits my pocket. I have few wants though one of them is an expensive hobby; but, mostly I make my ends meet with my handsome BMC pay – cuts and all - and my wife supports me when the well runs dry.
Over the years, I have easily adjusted to a lifestyle that suits my pocket. I have few wants though one of them is an expensive hobby; but, mostly I make my ends meet with my handsome BMC pay – cuts and all - and my wife supports me when the well runs dry.
“Why?” many have asked – “Why am I still in KEM? - in the BMC” of all places! The obvious answer would of course be that no one else wants me. And the BMC expects very little of me – I work 9-4 (many will disagree) ; I have unending leave to my credit .. I stay across the road from the hospital and don’t have to find my way through the traffic snarls of Bombay. The plusses are unending. Besides, I am a very selfish guy; I like what I do here and so I am here – QED.
“Why?” many have asked – “Why am I still in KEM? - in the BMC” of all places! The obvious answer would of course be that no one else wants me. And the BMC expects very little of me – I work 9-4 (many will disagree) ; I have unending leave to my credit .. I stay across the road from the hospital and don’t have to find my way through the traffic snarls of Bombay. The plusses are unending. Besides, I am a very selfish guy; I like what I do here and so I am here – QED.
The other day, I was at this social meet attended by the rich and wealthy and someone (not a Doc) asked rather impolitely “ What do you make Ravi?. When I truthfully told him the figure of my rather ”enviable” take-home pay – he sort of snorted and looked at me as if I were out of my mind. A former teacher of mine – a die-hard full-timer - who had joined in on conversation by then chipped in…. “You want know what these guys in the teaching hospitals make? he asked of that five finger diamond-ringed acquaintance.
The other day, I was at this social meet attended by the rich and wealthy and someone (not a Doc) asked rather impolitely “ What do you make Ravi?. When I truthfully told him the figure of my rather ”enviable” take-home pay – he sort of snorted and looked at me as if I were out of my mind. A former teacher of mine – a die-hard full-timer - who had joined in on conversation by then chipped in…. “You want know what these guys in the teaching hospitals make? he asked of that five finger diamond-ringed acquaintance.
“Yes” said the gold mine; “Ravi just told me”
“Yes” said the gold mine; “Ravi just told me”
‘Then now let me tell you what they make’ carried on my teacher.
‘Then now let me tell you what they make’ carried on my teacher.
“ Guys like Ravi” he said “work as doctors in hospitals that cater to the very poor. They bring the wealth of their knowledge and experience to help treat these poor patients. They work against all odds and make these hospitals what they are today”. “Speaking for KEM” he continued. “If you have an emergency, there is no better place than a teaching hospital to seek treatment – even today. The resident doctors who will attend to you there are the best young brains in the country and these guys teach them. They mould and nurture them and make them into good doctors who, years later, will treat you in the five star hospitals all over the country”.
“ Guys like Ravi” he said “work as doctors in hospitals that cater to the very poor. They bring the wealth of their knowledge and experience to help treat these poor patients. They work against all odds and make these hospitals what they are today”. “Speaking for KEM” he continued. “If you have an emergency, there is no better place than a teaching hospital to seek treatment – even today. The resident doctors who will attend to you there are the best young brains in the country and these guys teach them. They mould and nurture them and make them into good doctors who, years later, will treat you in the five star hospitals all over the country”.
He was getting a little animated .. and continued…
He was getting a little animated .. and continued…
“You want to know what these guys make?…let me tell you … They make a difference – difference as teachers – difference as doctors. Very few are blessed to be able to do this in the two noblest of all professions”
“You want to know what these guys make?…let me tell you … They make a difference – difference as teachers – difference as doctors. Very few are blessed to be able to do this in the two noblest of all professions”
By that time, my heart welled with pride.
By that time, my heart welled with pride.
“Yes. That’s it “ I said to myself “It is true for so many of us”
“Yes. That’s it “ I said to myself “It is true for so many of us”
So the next time anyone asks me “What do I make at KEM? - throwing modesty to the winds, I am going to say:
So the next time anyone asks me “What do I make at KEM? - throwing modesty to the winds, I am going to say:
“I make a little money and a lot of difference”
“I make a little money and a lot of difference”
Don’t you too?
Don’t you too?
December 2003
December 2003
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