Happy Doctor's Day: The first patient stories doctors will never forget

India Today

01-07-2025

The stethoscope felt heavier that day. The coat a little too white. The corridors a little too long. Somewhere, in a room just ahead, a patient waited — not knowing they were about to become someone's very first. That's how many doctors remember the moment they stepped into their new identity — not just as graduates, but as healers. The first patient is rarely forgotten. Whether it was a routine check-up or a case that left them sweating bullets, that first encounter is stitched into the fabric of every medical journey. On this Doctor's Day, we asked doctors to rewind the clock and revisit that defining moment — raw, real, and unforgettable.advertisementDr. Ameesha Mahajan,Consultant Dermatologist, Eden Skin Clinic"When I joined MD Dermatology, I imagined a life of treating acne, pigmentation, and making people look better. But on my very first day, I was faced with a 70-year-old woman suffering from Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis - a rare, life-threatening skin condition. Her entire body was peeling, like a burn victim. I had only seen such cases in textbooks, never in real life. As a new resident, I was overwhelmed, but I knew I had to give her the best care possible. Her family had immense faith in us, and that faith pushed us harder. With top medicines, dedicated care, and perhaps God's will, she recovered in 10 days. A decade later, her family still comes to me - not just for emergencies, but for everyday skin concerns too. That first patient taught me that dermatology isn't just cosmetic. It's life-saving. And being able to heal - that's the true privilege of being a doctor."Dr. Sukhjinder Singh Yogi, Sexologist, 4 Generations Legacy Yogisayurveda Clinics & Panchkarmaadvertisement"My first case was reported in 2003-a 28-year-old man, married for 3 months, with bilateral 3-4 grade varicocele, active sperm motility of 3%, and scrotal pain, along with a feeling of heaviness in the evenings. Interestingly, he gave a history of snake bite on his right foot toe about 1.5 months before the development of symptoms. He worked in JCT, Phagwara.
The condition was already assessed at a well-known institute in Chandigarh, and he had asked for further management from us. On a thorough clinical evaluation, we advised a four-month treatment protocol with modifications to treat the varicocele and related symptoms. After treatment protocol, the patient also showed a noteworthy improvement. His active sperm motility improved considerably from 3% to 65%, and his symptoms such as swelling of the scrotum, pain, and evening heaviness all resolved fully.We are tremendously thankful for this successful result and believe it is an outcome of both hard work and God's favors in the recovery of the reproductive health of the patient."IVF Expert Dr. Jaydev Dhameliya, Director & Founder of Candor IVF Center"I never planned for IVF; it wasn't a passion at first, but an inner ambition to understand patient flow beyond numbers - to see the emotions behind every couple walking in. One case changed everything. Around 2013-2014, while working as an LIC agent, I met my first IVF couple. Ironically, during routine check-ups for my wife's unrelated health issue, she reminded me we were childless after 7 years. Joking aside, I realized how deep that longing runs.advertisementWe didn't have our own IVF setup then, so I took the patient to another hospital. Despite their missteps, the cycle succeeded, resulting in a healthy 2.5?kg baby born on the mother's birthday. That photo of the newborn was emotional. The couple had faced a strained love marriage with little family support, but the baby changed everything - strengthening bonds and even boosting the husband's LIC career to Double MDRT.That moment taught me IVF is not just medical treatment but a life-transforming journey that reshapes families emotionally, socially, and financially. Destiny, not design, brought me to IVF - and with every couple, I find purpose in bringing them the joy of parenthood."Dr. Vivek Srivastava, Senior Vice President: Innovation -Business Strategy and Scientific Affairs, Zeon Lifesciences-"The role of a Doctor combines Wisdom, Education, and Humanity - alongside selfless Philanthropy that a true doctor embodies. I consider myself lucky that the Almighty has selected me to meaningfully transform lives and serve as a small channel for healing and endorsing psychosomatic wellbeing. One of my first cases was a chronic seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis patient who had suffered for around 10 years to no avail with the standard over-the-top therapies. I resolved to help him overcome this disease. It all began with instilling confidence in the patient and assuring him that after fighting for a decade, he could trust me for just six months, which turned out to be a pivotal moment. His patience and faith in me facilitated the process.advertisementI observed a transformation from scaly patches to smooth, red skin, ultimately achieving a complexion free of inflammation. My treatment approach combined Ayurvedic medicine, dietary changes, mental wellness, and supplementation, which fostered a profound sense of satisfaction and confidence. "While academic knowledge qualifies a Doctor to serve society, it is equally crucial to appreciate the purpose I have embraced. This approach is grounded in treatment principles that aim to achieve and maintain a balance of mind, body, and spirit, recognizing the uniqueness of each individual "Years later, after countless patients, procedures, and prescriptions, it's still that first encounter that lingers — a reminder of why they chose this path in the first place. Behind every confident doctor is a moment of uncertainty, a memory of learning, and a patient who unknowingly shaped a career. This Doctor's Day, we honour not just the white coats and the wisdom, but the beginnings — humble, human, and heartfelt.- Ends
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