As I sat down to pen this feature, the age-old expression “An Apple A Day Keeps a Doctor Away” crossed my mind. Being a doctor, I haven’t given it much thought. However, now that I think about it, my hypothesis emerges: “Children are afraid of needles and often dislike fruits. Since doctors administer injections, the phrase ‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away’ whimsically captures two ghosts with one ghost trap. A heartfelt high-five to the clever mind who created this phrase.
Moving on.
I am Gaurav, and I proudly bear the title of an Abdominal Transplant Surgeon.
My journey in the world of medicine began at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College in Indore, India, where I earned my MBBS, equivalent to an MD. Little did I know that this was just the first chapter in a story destined to span across continents.
But, before I take you to an inter-continental journey, I would like to share experiences that molded me into the person I am today.
I was born in Jabalpur, a fairly small town in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. I was nurtured in an environment that believed in ‘improving with the community.’ The seeds of hard work, karma, fairness, and resilience were sown in my mind during the formative years of my life.
Above all, the concept of ‘Karma’ for me was not merely a religious or philosophical take, but a practical principle. This beautiful idea of the cosmic dance of give and take helped me understand that actions echo through time and will influence my life. It became the bedrock of my moral compass, guiding me in both personal and professional spheres.
My parents were, are, and will always remain a source of inspiration. They taught me that there are no shortcuts to success. This lesson became the cornerstone of my work ethic, a belief that has pushed me through the challenges. They taught me the art of bouncing back from setbacks, and thanks to them, I learned that failures are not endpoints but opportunities for growth.
But Who Am I?
To answer the question simply: Before the surgical suite, awards, and titles, I am a simple human being who is courageous, adventurous, and energetic. I am driven by hard work, passion, and unwavering honesty. I consider myself a down-to-earth individual with no room for arrogance, a staunch believer in teamwork and positivity. Just like you, my journey is marked by challenges, failures, and successes.
I began my journey in the realm of medicine at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College in Indore, India. Armed with foundational knowledge in MBBS, my pursuit to excel led me to the United Kingdom. This new nation, her people, and the landscape opened my eyes like never before. Here in the UK, I underwent extensive training in various aspects of surgery, marking a significant chapter in my growth as a surgeon.
The pivotal moment during my fellowship occurred at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in the USA, where I delved into the complexities of Abdominal Transplant and Hepato Biliary Surgery.
In the years following my fellowship, my ‘cap’ was adorned with an array of feathers, each contributing to my professional identity. Navigating the corridors of the Wessex-Severn FTTA SpR Training rotation in the UK, I sharpened my skills in general surgery. The journey continued as I embraced the challenges of abdominal transplant and hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery at esteemed institutions like Iowa Methodist Transplant Program and Advocate Aurora St. Luke’s Transplant Program in Milwaukee, WI.
I feel extremely honored to stand before you not merely as a surgeon but as a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) since May 2021. I don’t think, as a kid wandering the streets of Jabalpur with my father, I would have ever thought of achieving what I did. Soon, my relentless dedication and commitment made me Board-certified in General Surgery by the American College of Surgeons.
I believe awards are not milestones of personal achievement but affirmations of collective efforts. I was honored with the ‘Poster of Distinction Award’ at Digestive Disease Week in Washington DC (2015), the ‘Best Poster Presentation Award’ at the Pancreatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland, and the ‘Ethicon Grant for Fellowship in Laparoscopy and GI Stapling’ in India (2005). These are not accolades for me alone but acknowledgments of the dedicated teams I have been privileged to work with.
As a lifelong learner, I believe that teaching, learning, or mentoring cannot be confined within four walls. My role as a clinical assistant professor and my involvement in shaping the next generation of surgical minds underscore my belief in the power of education. My commitment to education extends beyond the confines of clinical instruction to include leadership in surgical courses and participation in initiatives like the ‘Online Certificate Course in Medical Education Program’ at the University of Dundee, Scotland.
As the Director of Medical Student Rotations in the transplant program, Director of Protocols in the St. Luke’s abdominal transplant program, and a national liver review board reviewer for UNOS, I am dedicated to shaping the future of transplantation. I also had the opportunity to initiate the robotic donor nephrectomy living donor kidney transplant program at Iowa Methodist Medical Center and perform the first robotic liver resection for cancer in Iowa.
There is much more I would like to share. The stories I have recounted here are but fragments of chapters that have shaped my identity as Dr. Gaurav Jain, and there is so much more to unveil.
Before I end, I would like to say that I aspire to create an environment where knowledge blooms and innovation becomes the way of life. I envision a future where collective efforts propel us to new horizons of medical excellence.