Dr. Alok Sharma: Making Effective Diagnosis Accessible To All
Dr. Alok Sharma
Director
Dr. Alok holds a degree in MD in Pathology from Govt. Medical College Rewa and was also positioned as a Senior Research Officer in Renal Pathology at AIIMS Delhi. A former Visiting Clinician at Mayo Clinic, USA, he is currently Director of Renal Pathology & Electron Microscopy and Head of Research & Development (R&D) at Dr. Lal Path Labs. , New Delhi. Dr. Alok is felicitated with various awards for excellence in Renal Pathology & Transmission Electron Microscopy. Dr. Alok Sharma engages in an interactive session with the CEO Insights Magazine, here are the highlights.
Tell us about your professional background and experiences. What motivates you for daily hustle?
My hometown is Bhopal, (M.P.) I completed my MBBS degree from Kasturba Medical College in Mangalore & MD in Pathology from Govt Medical College in Rewa (MP). I then relocated to New Delhi where I finished a Senior residency at Dr. RML Hospital & PGIMER. & subsequently accepted a position as a Senior Research Officer in Renal Pathology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi.
In 2010, I joined Dr. Lal PathLabs and took on the challenge of creating the specialty of Renal Pathology, which at the time was almost unknown in non-academic clinics in India. As a visiting clinician in Renal Pathology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota (USA), I learned invaluable lessons from the most prestigious hospital in the world.
I have also completed the Healthcare Management Program (EPHM) from Indian Institute of Management (IIM) ,Calcutta to sharpen my management and leadership skills.
After much though and deliberations, we pioneered and set up India's first Transmission Electron Microscopy Unit in the private diagnostic sector in 2016. Our work has had a significant impact on the development of Renal Pathology as a separate specialty as well as the clinical practice of Nephrology in India.
My motivation for daily hustle stems from the realization of enormous responsibility towards my patients, as well as the Physicians &Nephrologists who trust my expertise to take crucial and timely treatment decisions.
Brief us about the unique experiences you had while studying at AIIMS. How had you overcome all the hurdles in your journey so far?
The most distinctive aspect of being at AIIMS is imbibing its culture, which pervades subconsciously and inspires everyone to have a clear emphasis on the fundamental principles of medical education, research, and compassionate patient care. It enables one to perceive the humane aspect of a diseased individual, not only as a patient but as a person who expects world class treatment and has great faith in your abilities.
Convincing stakeholders of a unique idea's viability and inspiring the clinician community nephrologists about the importance of our work in ensuring the best possible patient care have been among the most difficult initial obstacles. Keeping up with clinical advancements and innovating at the same time to ensure patients always receive the best diagnosis and treatment is a constant challenge and motivation as well.
How is the laboratory leveraging latest tools and technologies in making healthcare decisions and investigations?
The advent of Digital Pathology has revolutionizedthe field of diagnostics. Diagnoses are becoming more precise,
After much though and deliberations, we pioneered and set up India's first Transmission Electron Microscopy Unit in the private diagnostic sector in 2016. Our work has had a significant impact on the development of Renal Pathology as a separate specialty as well as the clinical practice of Nephrology in India.
My motivation for daily hustle stems from the realization of enormous responsibility towards my patients, as well as the Physicians &Nephrologists who trust my expertise to take crucial and timely treatment decisions.
Brief us about the unique experiences you had while studying at AIIMS. How had you overcome all the hurdles in your journey so far?
The most distinctive aspect of being at AIIMS is imbibing its culture, which pervades subconsciously and inspires everyone to have a clear emphasis on the fundamental principles of medical education, research, and compassionate patient care. It enables one to perceive the humane aspect of a diseased individual, not only as a patient but as a person who expects world class treatment and has great faith in your abilities.
Convincing stakeholders of a unique idea's viability and inspiring the clinician community nephrologists about the importance of our work in ensuring the best possible patient care have been among the most difficult initial obstacles. Keeping up with clinical advancements and innovating at the same time to ensure patients always receive the best diagnosis and treatment is a constant challenge and motivation as well.
Self-belief and flexible innovative mindset will be the main drivers of growth and success trajectory
How is the laboratory leveraging latest tools and technologies in making healthcare decisions and investigations?
The advent of Digital Pathology has revolutionizedthe field of diagnostics. Diagnoses are becoming more precise,
dependable, and clinically actionable because of the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in pathology. At Dr. Lal Path Labs, we leverage technological advancements like whole slide imaging for communication and opinion-sharing among our extensive network of labs.
In Renal Pathology, the use of digital electron microscopy and the most recent panoramic grid scanner technology has permitted higher diagnostic accuracy.
What are the solutions for people’s disturbed lifestyles?
Striking the right balance between work priorities, health, and lifestyle decisions is a constant challenge in today's fast-paced world. The tried-and-true habits of getting good sleep, doing light exercise (at least five times per week), quitting smoking, and maintaining weight and BMI that is appropriate for height will help oneavoidmost lifestyle diseases. Finding and engaging in your hobby in spare time is, in my opinion, one of the best ways to reduce stress.
As per your wide experience, what advice you would like to give young aspirants who are aiming to be future leaders in the healthcare sector?
As I've said, the main forces behind growth will be self-belief and an adaptable, innovative mindset. These qualities are essential for success in the healthcare industry, which is undergoing a rapid technological transformation presently. Additionally, I firmly believe that before healthcare workers & professionals advance into leadership and strategy-building roles, they need to get adequate fundamental core domain-related expertise.
Dr. Alok Sharma, Director, Dr. Lal Pathlabs
Having vast expertise in Renal Pathology & Electron Microscopy, Dr. Alok Sharma is working tirelessly to provide modern and the best Nephropathology diagnostic services to patients across India.
• Hobbies: Music Cricket, and Cooking
• Favourite Cuisine: Indo-Chinese
• Favourite Book: The Emperor of All Maladies (Siddhartha Mukherjee)
• Favourite Travel Destination: Himachal Pradesh
• Awards and Recognition: *Dr. V Ramalingaswamy Memorial award (Research work in Renal Pathology)
• *Dr. HD Tandon memorial award (Clinical & research work in Renal Pathology)
• *Dr. VR Khanolkar memorial national award (for best-published research work in Pathology)
In Renal Pathology, the use of digital electron microscopy and the most recent panoramic grid scanner technology has permitted higher diagnostic accuracy.
What are the solutions for people’s disturbed lifestyles?
Striking the right balance between work priorities, health, and lifestyle decisions is a constant challenge in today's fast-paced world. The tried-and-true habits of getting good sleep, doing light exercise (at least five times per week), quitting smoking, and maintaining weight and BMI that is appropriate for height will help oneavoidmost lifestyle diseases. Finding and engaging in your hobby in spare time is, in my opinion, one of the best ways to reduce stress.
As per your wide experience, what advice you would like to give young aspirants who are aiming to be future leaders in the healthcare sector?
As I've said, the main forces behind growth will be self-belief and an adaptable, innovative mindset. These qualities are essential for success in the healthcare industry, which is undergoing a rapid technological transformation presently. Additionally, I firmly believe that before healthcare workers & professionals advance into leadership and strategy-building roles, they need to get adequate fundamental core domain-related expertise.
Dr. Alok Sharma, Director, Dr. Lal Pathlabs
Having vast expertise in Renal Pathology & Electron Microscopy, Dr. Alok Sharma is working tirelessly to provide modern and the best Nephropathology diagnostic services to patients across India.
• Hobbies: Music Cricket, and Cooking
• Favourite Cuisine: Indo-Chinese
• Favourite Book: The Emperor of All Maladies (Siddhartha Mukherjee)
• Favourite Travel Destination: Himachal Pradesh
• Awards and Recognition: *Dr. V Ramalingaswamy Memorial award (Research work in Renal Pathology)
• *Dr. HD Tandon memorial award (Clinical & research work in Renal Pathology)
• *Dr. VR Khanolkar memorial national award (for best-published research work in Pathology)