Time Out

The Young Chairman

Chairman and orthopaedic surgeon of Pune's Sancheti Hospital, Dr Parag Sancheti (42), is a globe trotter, who has traversed almost 25 counties

The offspring of the rich and famous always face this tough task to emerge out of the shadow of his parents- so that he can carve a niche on his own merit. The story of Dr Parag Sancheti, Chairman of Pune's renowned Sancehti Hospital and son of Dr KH Sancheti (who was responsible for the development of orthopaedics as a specialty in Maharashtra), is no different. He deliberately chose the hard way out at every point in his career. With hard work and ambition on his side, Dr Parag today has managed to emerge as a winner in his professional career-not only as a renowned orthopaedic surgeon but also as a leader of his father's dream hospital.

Early this year, Dr Parag took the reins of this well-known orthopaedic hospital as a Chairman and the hospital is already buzzing with the latest addition of New Joint Replacement Centre of 50 beds, which was inaugurated by President Pratibha Patil.

Dr Parag completed his schooling from Loyola High School, Pune. He still remembers the tiff between his parents over which medium school their son should be studying. His father wanted him to attend a Marathi medium school to understand the language and culture better. However, his mother was adamant about sending him to English convent school. Eventually, Dr Parag attended the convent school. Yet today, his command over Marathi is commendable.

A self-confessed introvert, as a child he was quite shy and not very ambitious of sorts. "I was a very mediocre student. Till my eleventh standard, I was not serious about studies at all," shares Dr Parag.

The choice of medicine came to him naturally. "I have been seeing and hearing about operations as a toddler. I even got a stethoscope and doctor's apron as a birthday present once," he remembers. Even if his parents did not foist any decision on him, Dr Parag was convinced that medicine is the field he wanted to be in for the rest of his life.

Twelfth standard was according to him, "a reality check of life". "I wanted to get a merit seat in a Government medical college as paying the capitation fees was out of question," he says. He scored 91 per cent in 12th, enough for him to get admission in Pune's BJ Medical College. Initially, Dr Parag had a fascination to become cardiac surgeon, however, later he changed his mind and decided to follow the footsteps of his father and opted for orthopaedics.

After completing MBBS, again there was a decision to make- to select the easy way out and join Sancheti or join a Government hospital. "I knew that if I go to a Government hospital, not only will I garner more experience in trauma care (which I wanted), but I would also enjoy some freedom and gain the required street smartness," says Dr Parag. He thus completed his Orthopaedic residency from Sasoon Hospital, Pune.

Talking about his son, Dr KH Sancheti says, "I am very proud of Parag. I found him to be always a very hard working and independent person with a very strong sense of self. All through his medicine years, he never put my name against his, as he did not want the world to know him just as my son."

Dr Parag with wife and kids

Today at 42, Dr Parag is heading the hospital with an infectious confidence. "I work 14 to 16 hours a day. In a day, I give less than 10 per cent of my time for administrative purpose and policy decision making. However, my heart truly resides in my professional orthopaedic practice," shares Dr Parag. He also enjoys teaching and also likes to build efficient teams around him. So, what is his recipe for success? "I am a complete team player and I never use the word 'I' while dealing with people."

With Pune city expanding at a fast pace with many bigwigs in healthcare entering this emerging market, Dr Parag is clear that he wants to expand the hospital through the franchisee route. "I want to cash on the brand name of Sancheti in the healthcare industry, where we will give our brand name to other hospitals and start a chain."

He is inspired by his father's principles and way of working and follows him in his professional life too. Says Dr Parag, "Patient's today come with blind faith in us. However, only if the patient really requires, then only we do the surgery. If they want to take Ayurvedic treatment, I won't say no, as ultimately the patient should get alright. I myself believe in Ayurvedic medicines."

Dr Parag is a fitness freak. According to him, his fondness for sports and exercise are the reasons for his happy and energetic appearance. In his college days, he was a good basketball player. Now, he hits the gym every day. Yoga and Pranayam are his daily tonics for mental and physical fitness. How Dr Parag developed the love for the art of yoga and pranayam is an interesting story. Once Ramdevbaba, the renowned yoga teacher, visited Sancheti Hospital to meet his disciple who was admitted there. During his stay in Pune, Dr Parag got an opportunity to meet Ramdebaba who gifted him the CDs on yoga and pranayam. That's how Dr Parag got hooked to yoga and pranayam.

He is a total family man. In 1995, Dr Parag married Archana, a Home Science graduate from Chennai. "Mine was an arranged marriage and I was clear that my wife should not be a doctor as later it will be difficult to giver proper attention to the kids," says Dr Parag. They are blessed with twins -Arman and Anaya (5 years).

Dr Parag loves travelling. So far, he has traversed almost 25 countries, which include the US, England, Germany, Brazil, Hong Kong to name just a few. "I keep on traveling for professional purposes and as faculty for conferences. Recently, I went to Goa with my family and enjoyed every bit of it," he says. In his free time, he likes reading and his all time favourite book is 'The Fountain Head' by Ayn Rand.

The Mixed Bag

Your best prize in life so far
When I got admission in BJ Medical College on my own merit.

Your first day in school
I don't remember my first day in school at all.

Your first ambition
At the age of eight, I wanted to become a pilot.

Your first day at work
Very interesting. I had just completed my post graduation in orthopaedics and realised that all through these years there were people above me to guide me, but now onwards I have to take my own decisions. There was an apprehension that whether will I be able to perform well!

The first time you fired somebody
I fired a nurse for not giving the required medicine to the patient on time. I do get angry, but don't generally fire people.

The toughest decision you have taken
When I decided to get married. I did not want to get married as I did not want anyone to control my life.

The best memory of your childhood
As a child I used to love flying kites. Those days were magical when ignorance was bliss.

Your happiest moment
When I did my first independent knee replacement surgery.

Three things you can not do without
My team in the hospital, my parents and the surgeries.

One trait that you would like to change about yourself
My temper.

Your first vehicle
Luna.

One parental advice that you remember
My father always used to tell me that patients are always right and hence do not argue with them.

Sonal Shukla