A pediatrician, a mother & a friend to all. A woman who always finds the time to be there for her family and her patients and has gotten so many of us through difficult periods in the face of Covid. We are proud to name Dr Rania our Woman of the month for January.
We asked Dr Rania some interesting questions for you all to get to know her better...
I was always interested in chemistry and biology at school. Medicine was a field which combined those principles, together with helping people, so it made sense to apply. I always thought I would become a dermatologist or an ophthalmologist. I then stumbled upon Pediatrics during an Emergency Medicine rotation, where I was the only female doctor out of 8 junior doctors. Any pediatric case which came through the door was sent my way as the most naturally "maternal" of the group. This of course used to annoy me, but helped me find my calling: looking after children and helping alleviate their parents' worries and concerns. I now can't imagine ever doing anything else!
2. What would you say are the main challenges that you face in your industry on a regular basis? How do you overcome them?
A pediatrician is a child's advocate: we put the child's best interests and needs above all else. Doing this, while managing parents' expectations and concerns is often extremely challenging. There's always a fine balance between doing the best by the patient (the child) and reassuring their parents that they do not need that extra investigation, or medication or do not have that worrisome condition. I always feel like I have two patients: the child and the parent, and I strive to care for both to the best of my abilities.
3. How do you manage your daily routine, a family and prioritize tasks & patients?
The short answer is: I don't! Or should I say, I don't think I do this very well.
One of the biggest challenges I face is trying to be accessible to my patients, while balancing other aspects of my life. Maintaining a work-life balance is a challenge which people in all industries have, but it is exceptionally difficult to do this as a pediatrician, especially as a parent myself. Regardless of what time of day I receive a message from a distressed parent, I feel the deep urge to respond and help, even at the expense of more pressing matters or obligations.
I have been working hard on finding a better balance though, and the key to this is in prioritizing and delegation where possible. One aspect which I don't do very well yet is making more "me time", but I'm working on this.
These last two years have been "interesting" to say the least. COVID hit immediately after I established the clinic, and with the sudden drop in footfall and increasing fears related to the virus, I found Social Media a great way to reach patients and the community in general, to spread awareness and dispel myths, when there was very little out there in the way of information. Anyone who knows me knows I can talk and talk and talk some more. What better way than to talk to the camera and help people in the process? My job helps me keep my finger on the pulse, and gather the questions people have and the gaps in their knowledge. This is what inspires me to try and guide them and put more posts and videos out to do this.
5. What are your biggest achievements personally and professionally?
Personally, my biggest achievement is of course my family. I feel blessed to have found a soulmate in my husband Joe, and am in awe and grateful every minute of every day for him and our three beautiful children.
My biggest achievement professionally, so far, is fulfilling my dream of establishing a Circle Care Clinic. This feels like an even bigger achievement considering the challenge of the last two years. I am so proud of the team I work with and what we have built together. I have plans for so much more, so watch this space...
6. What is your favorite piece of jewelry that you can’t live without?
This would have to be my tennis bracelet. It's value is way more sentimental than it is physical for me, as my husband gave this to me at the birth of our daughter and first child. It symbolizes my becoming a mother.
7. Which jewelry piece from the new collection at Vik Jet Fine Jewelry are you currently loving the most?
I love the Star Malachite and Diamond Charm. It's simple and elegant enough to stand alone or be styled with other pieces.
See more from Dr Rania: @drraniadxb
