Dr. Nivedita Patel, Hospitalist at Halton Healthcare, shares her unique perspective on being a woman in the medical field. From navigating the challenges of balancing career and family life to learning the importance of self-care and compassion in patient care.
Dr. Patel’s journey highlights the significance of strong female representation in healthcare. She offers invaluable insights on how women can inspire one another, break through barriers, and maintain balance in a demanding profession, all while advocating for gender equity and work-life harmony.
1. Why is it important to have strong female representation in healthcare?
“Strong female representation in healthcare has been shown to improve patient outcomes, enhance inclusivity, and foster gender equity. Female presence helps address gender-specific health needs as female patients may feel more comfortable discussing certain concerns with female providers, leading to better diagnoses and treatment. Additionally, strong female leadership promotes fair pay, career growth, and inspires young girls to pursue careers in all fields of healthcare.”
2. What challenges have you faced as a woman in your field, and how have you overcome them?
“I've been fortunate not to have faced many challenges in my career so far, but this past year has brought a new one—balancing family life and career. We welcomed our first baby last year, and navigating this new reality has been both rewarding and challenging. As a new mom, I often feel pulled in multiple directions, trying to give my all to both my patients and my family. Striking that balance is tough, especially when I'm passionate about my career but don’t want to miss out on precious moments with my little one. Being truly present when I'm with my son has helped, but I’m still figuring out how to navigate this journey.”
3. Who is a woman that has inspired you in your life or career?
“One of the most inspiring women I’ve met in medicine was a physician I worked with during my obstetrics/gynecology rotation during training. She is not only an exceptional clinician but also a compassionate woman who treats her patients, colleagues, and learners, with genuine kindness. Every day that I worked with her, I saw her prioritize high-quality patient-centered care while also prioritizing her family and interests outside of medicine. She taught me medicine as well as advocating for work-life balance—a lesson that has shaped my approach in medicine.”
4. What is one lesson you’ve learned as a woman in your profession?
“I've learned that being a strong woman in medicine isn’t about pushing through at all costs, it’s about balance. Medicine is a marathon, not a sprint, and taking care of myself is just as important as caring for my patients. I used to feel guilty setting boundaries, but I now realize that prioritizing my well-being makes me a better doctor. At the same time, strength in this field doesn’t mean being cold or detached. Compassion, towards my patients, colleagues and myself, is one of the most powerful tools I have,”
5. If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
"Believe in yourself, you are capable and deserving. There will be times when imposter syndrome creeps in, making you question if you belong, but trust in yourself and the process. You’ve worked hard to be here, and you are more than enough - so step forward with confidence and own your place in this journey."
