Leading with Passion and Purpose

Dr Vasundhra Atre, a highly experienced professional, possesses over three decades of experience in the healthcare industry.

She is a trained anesthesiologist specializing in cardiac and liver transplant procedures and also holds expertise in administration, coaching, and leadership. Currently, she serves as the Group Head of Medical Excellence & Strategy at Paras Health.

Dr Vasundhra is known for her passion for communication and leadership, which she believes can be cultivated.

Centred around empowering her team and helping them realise their full potential, Dr Vasundhra, as a leader, believes in providing support and guidance to her team members and encourages them to take ownership of their work.

She is also a best-selling author and has published several books on healthcare and leadership.

The Journey So Far

Dr Vasundhra Atre’s decision to join the healthcare industry was driven by her desire to help people and communicate effectively. “As a doctor, it was about helping people; as an administrator, about leading from the front; as an author, about helping others improve their communication skills and as a coach, helping others reach their true potential,” shares Dr Vasundhra.

Dr Vasundhra has faced challenges as a businesswoman, particularly in the early days of her career. One of the biggest hurdles was being accepted on the basis of professional merit and being treated as a professional equal.

Dr Vasundhra shares, “While mindsets have evolved over time, this was and at times even today is a significant challenge to overcome.” With over three decades of experience in the business industry, Dr Vasundhra has worked with a diverse range of clients, from small startups to large corporates.

Her journey has been shaped by both opportunities and challenges influenced by internal and external factors. She has witnessed the rapid evolution of technology, digital media, changes in legislation, and increasing customer expectations, leading to a constantly shifting landscape.

Despite these shifts, Dr Vasundhra has remained adaptable and responsive, developing a deep understanding of the ever-changing dynamics of the business industry.

Celebrating Milestones

Dr Vasundhra cherishes the love and support she has received from her family, friends, colleagues, and other important people in her life. She also takes pride in the diverse range of professional milestones she has achieved.

“From cardiac anesthesiologist to transplant anesthesiologist, the transition from a clinician to an administrator, and entrepreneur, every book I wrote and released has been a milestone for me,” shares Dr Vasundhra.

Recently, her book ‘One Day at a Time’ was featured on Kindle as a best-seller, representing the latest achievement in her journey.

Her Approach To Difficult Decisions

Dr Vasundhra Atre believes that every decision is based on choices that are made after carefully evaluating the available information and expected outcomes.

She shares, “Every time a decision is made, a choice is exercised. Personally, I don’t believe in problems - only situations that have solutions waiting to be found.

When faced with an intimidating situation, I break it down into smaller parts and work through them methodically.

By evaluating the pros and cons of each option after collecting all relevant information, I make logical decisions that work best given the circumstances and available knowledge.”

It is her positive and methodical approach that has helped her navigate complex situations throughout her career.

Staying Ahead Of The Curve

In the ever-changing dynamic business world, staying current is essential. To stay updated, Dr. Vasundhra practices reading industry publications, attending conferences and workshops, and participating in online forums and discussions.

However, she acknowledges that with the abundance of information available, the challenge now is to sift through it and identify the authentic data and trends for oneself.

Prioritising nimbleness, staying ahead of industry trends, and upholding core values differentiate Dr Vasundhra and her team from others.

Maximizing Productivity In A Fast-Paced Environment

Dr Vasundhra shares, “Given the fast-paced environment where we are all multitasking, understanding the urgency of each task at hand is important.” Her approach involves creating a to-do list, delegating tasks to her team members when necessary and working on a deadline.

“The secret, of course, is to finish well before the deadline; however, one should also be adaptable, situations are fluid, and the level of urgency for a task may change. Not letting change hassle you and staying ahead of the deadline avoids stress and improves productivity,” explains Dr Vasundhra.

Balancing Present Opportunities With Future Vision

Dr Vasundhra says, “I love to have more than one thing on my plate; multitasking actually keeps me alert and on my toes.” At present, she is exploring new business opportunities, developing a training program to improve healthcare professionals’ communication skills with patients, and writing her next book.

Dr Vasundhra envisions a future for her organisation focused on delivering quality healthcare, growth, and setting new industry standards.

She plans to continue expanding her horizons by introducing new technology into healthcare and setting new quality industry benchmarks while being committed to helping others improve their writing, communication, and leadership skills, ensuring that her impact extends beyond her own organisation.

Seeking Inspiration

Dr Vasundhra shares, “I consider myself fortunate to have been born in a time when women have shattered the traditional glass ceiling. Women today are leading countries, organisations, and businesses, and they are breaking into industries and professions that were once considered male bastions.

Every woman I meet, their story of resilience, perseverance and success, serves as an inspiration for me. However, the one woman who has been my strength, inspiration and guiding force during all phases of my life, is my mother. Patience, tolerance and the never say die attitude, are her gift to me.”

Words Of Wisdom

Advising young entrepreneurs, Dr Vasundhra shares, “Embrace failure as a learning opportunity. While the fear of failure is common among those starting out, it is important to recognise it is a natural part of the journey. Instead of being afraid to take risks, reflect on your failures and use them as a chance to learn and grow. Celebrating successes is important, but learning from failures is just as valuable for personal and professional growth.”