146: Neha Majmudar

Physician

The Outpatient practice performed by Dr. Majmudar is widely varied: caring for chronic illness such as hypertension and diabetes, as well as acute care for things such as infections. Her practice is often the front line for psychological care, as well.

This is a teaching facility. So, it is filled with medical residents and med students. Once the pandemic hit, not only did the docs on staff have to learn how to perform telemedicine on the fly, but they also had to teach it to the students as well….all while continuing the care of their patients. This was quite a challenge.

Having the knowledge that the virus was so new and that not enough was known about it, increased the worry of personal protection for her and her staff: Was the PPE working well enough, do we have enough eye gear, and so on. But they persisted and never closed down. Patients were cared for the entire time.

Distributing vaccines was very rewarding. “Some people were crying, when they came in for a shot. They had lost someone through this or they were glad to have gotten through it all and now saw some freedom from it.” She specifically remembers a husband-wife team, who were surprised to receive a shot so quickly. “Both were crying tears of joy.”

These personal challenges were doubled, because her husband is a doctor also and continued to work through this as well. Two teenagers at home and being schooled virtually added to the mix. But she says she is actually thankful for the time they all spent together: dinner every night, more talking and discussions…a chance to “slow down.” “I loved that part of it,” she told us.

Her hope for the future is, “That medicine remains a science and not a political event. It’s a yes or no science. Not about feelings or rights. Respect the science.”