On Doctors’ Day, we usually think of white coats, long hours, and life-saving decisions. But behind every doctor is a personal story, of how they got here, what keeps them going, and the moments that made it all worth it.
Some of these stories unfold in the spotlight. Others, like those in Interventional Radiology (IR), remain largely unseen. Most people have never heard of it, and even fewer can explain it. Yet IR is where some of the most advanced, minimally invasive medical miracles happen. Doctors in this field perform extraordinary procedures through tiny openings, often no bigger than a pinhead. They stop internal bleeding in minutes. They dissolve clots, drain abscesses, and unblock vessels. All without ever making a cut.
And within this already under-recognized specialty, women are even rarer. For women in medicine, especially in complex, lesser-known specialties like IR, the journey can be even more layered. It’s not just about learning the science. It means being the only woman in the room, and still speaking up. It means mastering high-end technology while managing 3 a.m. emergency calls and 7 a.m. school drop-offs. It means paving the way for those who come next.
This Doctors’ Day, we spotlight four women who chose the road less taken, and stayed on it, not just to heal, but to lead. These interventional radiologists are changing what it means to be a doctor today. Their stories aren’t just about medicine. They’re about mentorship, resilience, quiet confidence, and the power of showing up again and again.
Dr. Pujitha Vidiyala
Assistant Professor, NIMS Hyderabad
For Dr. Pujitha, the spark came during her radiology residency - a moment of awe watching real-time interventions change the trajectory of a patient’s life. “What drew me in was the immediacy and impact. You could diagnose and treat in the same moment,” she recalls.
As the first female interventional radiologist with a DM degree from the Telugu states, she’s not just breaking barriers, she’s mentoring others to cross them. Her journey hasn’t been without challenges, but she’s turned every obstacle into a platform for leadership and visibility.
She credits her mentors, Dr. Rammurti Susarla, Dr. Sanjeev Kumar, and Dr. Priya Jagia, for shaping her practice and self-belief. “Their support helped me grow, not just as a clinician, but as a person,” she says.
Her most rewarding moment? Performing a high-risk liver procedure for a young woman under the Telangana CM Relief Fund. “When the family held my hands in tears, I knew, it’s not just about catheters. It’s about restoring hope.”
Dr. Geetika Sindhwani
Interventional Radiologist, Delhi NCR
For Dr. Geetika, IR was a second calling, one that emerged during a fellowship in Diagnostic Onco-Radiology. “Simple biopsies became gateways to something bigger: vascular and oncologic interventions that could change lives.”
Mentorship has been a cornerstone of her journey in medicine, and she considers herself fortunate to have found godsent mentors who introduced her to the world of Onco-interventions and Peripheral Arterial Disease. “Forever grateful for that,” she says.
Her journey was anything but linear. Taking another fellowship wasn’t easy with work and family demands. But she persisted, driven by the thrill of precision and the joy of visible, immediate patient impact. “No two days are the same. But that look of relief on a patient’s face, it keeps me going.”
Being a woman in IR meant navigating both demanding procedures at work and caregiving at home. “The juggle is real, emergencies don’t wait, and kids don’t pause either,” she smiles. But a tight-knit circle of women doctors offered strength without judgment.
Whether it's stopping life-threatening bleeding or helping newborns get vital IV access, Dr. Geetika has made a real difference in many lives. “IR is about precision, yes, but it’s also about presence. You show up, you act fast, and sometimes, you save everything.”
Dr. Deepashree
Consultant Interventional Radiologist
It all began with an observership in the UK. “I was amazed watching a senior IR consultant work, it felt like magic,” says Dr. Deepashree.
From the start, she was drawn to procedures like central lines and lumbar punctures, combining her instinct with determination. “IR gave me the blend of skill and purpose I was looking for.”
Being one of the few women in global IR forums didn’t intimidate her. In fact, it inspired her. A turning point was speaking at the Women in IR platform at the SIR Conference in Atlanta. “That moment made me realize that my journey wasn’t just mine. It could open doors for others too.”
Dr. Deepashree’s work, from stopping heavy bleeding after childbirth to helping people move again without pain, shows her just how powerful Interventional Radiology can be. “The tools are small. But the impact is massive.”
Her message to future women IRs? “Own your space. Seek out good mentors. And let your excellence do the talking.”
Dr. Ritu Verma
Consultant Interventional Radiologist, Max Hospital
Some of the most rewarding moments in Dr. Ritu Verma’s career
aren’t flashy, they’re deeply human. “When a patient comes in on a stretcher and walks out of your clinic the next day, that’s everything,” she says.
Her days span demanding emergencies, ultrasound-guided procedures, bedside consults, and counselling. The work is intense, but fulfilling. “Yes, work-life balance is trickier for women. But you learn to balance the scales, sometimes sacrificing family, sometimes career. Either way, it’s about going home to happy faces, including your own.”
Mentorship defined her early career. “I’m here because my mentors believed in me. They pushed me through self-doubt and shaped the doctor I became.”
Her advice to young IRs? “Invest time. Don’t give up if a hospital setup isn’t ideal. Be patient. Be resilient. Great things take root in tough ground.”
The Road Ahead: Smarter, Stronger, More Inclusive Healthcare
On Doctors’ Day, we often celebrate skill. But these four stories remind us to also celebrate the soul.
In a world where more women are breaking new ground in surgical and high-tech specialties, these interventional radiologists are leading not just with expertise, but with empathy, endurance, and example.
Their message is clear: Interventional Radiology is not just a specialty. It’s a revolution. And women are shaping its future: one procedure, one patient, and one powerful story at a time.
