Interview by the students – Prof Dr Aisha Rafi

Students of Shifa have started a series where they are interviewing the Shifa family. For this purpose, they interviewed Prof Dr Aisha Rafi. 

Interview – Prof Dr Aisha Rafi

Let me introduce our next member of Humans of Shifa: Dr Aisha Rafi!

Q1) How and when did you join medicine? Were there any influences and support along the way?

Ans) I entered Med School about twenty-six years ago. At the time, there weren’t many options and a high achiever could either go for medicine or engineering. My siblings had opted for MBA, Law, etc. therefore I chose medicine. There was no compulsion from my family to enter medicine. It was solely my decision that I had made early in my student life. I was inspired by my mother’s best friend, who was a leading gynecologist. Seeing her interacting with patients and her compassion and integrity towards her patients left a very positive impact on me.

Q2) Which college did you complete your degree from, and was there a dream college you wished to attend?

Ans) At the time of admission in a medical school, my father was not in favor of sending me to a hostel, far away from home. so I stayed in Islamabad and did my MBBS from Rawalpindi Medical College. I did six months of my house job at Benazir Bhutto Hospital, which was, at the time, known as Rawalpindi General Hospital. After six months, I got married but I was extremely passionate and did not want to stay behind my batch fellows so I resumed my house job at Polyclinic after one month’s leave.

Q3) How challenging was balancing your new house job with your personal life?

Ans) It was indeed very challenging but I soon realized that my five-years journey of medical school had exposed me to many different types of struggles, be it the problems of a student or of a patient. Hence, I think medicine has made me extremely strong and resilient. It helped me in finding solutions to problems rather than creating problems.

Q4) How important has your professional life been to you?

Ans) Extremely. People in my family pursue various fields but my husband and I, being doctors, have the privilege to have a very close relationship with everyone around us in our family and friends. I feel great to be of help to each and every one of them.

Q5) How was your journey from house job to specialization?

Ans) My life took a sharp turn after getting married. I had decided from the very beginning that I had to prioritize my children, partly due to the fact that my mother was a housewife and she is my role model regarding upbringing the children. I realized the difference in the grooming and upbringing of children whose parents gave them adequate time and attention, to those raised by maids and guardians. I started preparing for FCPS-I when my daughters had started going to school. It took a long time to convince myself for specializing in basic medical sciences in Anatomy. I looked through the lens of a mother and wife, as my husband was senior registrar in surgery and he would be on call most of the time. Since I valued and truly cherished my relationships with my loved ones, I realized that it would be difficult to maintain these valuable relationships if I had to pursue clinical medicine. Hence, I chose to study anatomy, which was another challenge that I opted. I was lucky to work with a supervisor who not only taught me how to be a good anatomist but a great human being too. I can relate it to my medical school teachers as well. They acted upon what they said and were great role models and inspirations during my student life at RMC.”

“Q6) After FCPS, what did you pursue further and how did you end up in SCM?

Ans) Specialization in anatomy was very rare. At the time there were only thirteen to fourteen FCPS Anatomy professors in Pakistan. I got many offers from colleges, and I ended up joining IMDC for 6 months. I left IMDC and joined my husband who was appointed professor of Surgery at Sheikh Zayed Medical College.

When principal Sheikh Zayed medical college, R Y Khan came to know that I did FCPS Anatomy, he offered me a job at the same day. After spending 3 years there, I return back home and joined Shifa in 2013.

Q7) What has been your most memorable moment in Shifa?

Ans) The best moment for me is probably when I saw my students become consultants. It is a matter of huge pride and makes me feel like I had a part to play in their success. They are the seedlings that I had sown.

Q8) During this time, was there any student that stood out?

Ans) For me, all of my students are the same. I try and follow the teachings of the professors at RMC. Hence, I neither hold grudges nor do I set favourites. If my students perform well then it makes me happy and if not, then I re-think my teaching practice.

Q9) Is there one message that you would like to give to your current students?

Ans. Never give up in life because downfall starts the moment you give up. Take inspiration from the creations of the Almighty like the ants and the honeybees. They are living examples of hard work and discipline. Lastly, always remember who you are. In the hospital, in the malls or restaurants, driving on the road, and even at home, know yourself and always think about your profession first.

Q10) What are your hobbies?

Ans) At home, when we are all together, we watch movies. I love flowers and plants, so I spend a lot of my free time gardening.

Q11) Is there one thing you want to share about yourself that you think no one knows about you in Shifa?

Ans) I am a very forgiving and very emotional person. My strengths are that I am hardworking but emotional sensitivity is my weakness. With age and experience, I have learned to control it.

Q12) Do you have a favourite childhood memory?

Ans. We went on a family holiday to Naran and Kaghan during the summer vacations. I was in class 9. I always worried about wasting too much time having fun. Therefore, I took my books along with me on the trip. My siblings and cousins hid my school bag and forced me to have fun with all of them.

Q13) Is there one quote or saying that you like?

Ans). Hasbi Allah Ho La Illaha Illa hu, Allah is enough for me. Whenever I am happy or in a crisis, this supplication comforts me.

Professor Aisha Rafi

FCPS (Anatomy) MHPE (Riphah) MHPE (STMU)