She is, at present, in her final year of the Residency programme at Government Medical College (GMC) Amritsar. When she joined Apeejay School, Mahavir Marg, she was a quiet student and lacked confidence. The school helped her grow, not just academically but as a person. Her personality development happened there, and she credits the school for this. Meet Dr Ritika Vij.
In an impromptu interview, she talks about why she chose gynaecology, among other things.
A life-long lesson learnt at Apeejay School.
I learnt that to succeed in life, scoring high marks is not enough. You need confidence. You must be able to communicate well, discuss your thoughts, and ask for help when needed. A submissive student cannot achieve much because they may not even recognise where they are lacking. The belief that you can do it and that there is always a solution to a problem is something I learnt at Apeejay School. That attitude still guides me.
Was there any particular reason you chose gynaecology as your specialisation?
During my internship, when I began my duties under the Gynaecology Department, I realised how special this branch is. You bring life into the world almost every day. It is a moment of joy. Most of the time, the outcomes are positive. Unlike other branches where patients may be critically ill or bedridden, here, many patients are going through a natural physiological process. Families are hopeful and waiting for something beautiful. Even though it is a hospital setting, the environment is often positive and full of anticipation.
Medicine is demanding. How do you balance empathy and professional detachment?
You should not become overly sympathetic because that can affect your decision-making. If you get too emotionally involved, your judgment may suffer. But being empathetic is essential. Without empathy, you cannot truly care for your patients. There are times when you have to stay with a patient the entire night. It is exhausting. If you are not empathetic, you will not find the strength to keep going. When you genuinely care for your patients, the energy comes from within.
Does empathy come with experience, or is it something you have to work on?
It comes from within. It is not something you can simply learn from someone. I have seen colleagues and seniors who detach themselves easily. They prioritise other commitments and do not always stay back for patients. That shows it is subjective. It differs from person to person. But if you want to excel in this field, empathy is important.
Do you have any fond memories from school?
One memory I can never forget is from my admission interview in Class VI. As I mentioned, I was under-confident. The Principal at that time told me that I would soon discover a new version of myself. I did not fully understand it then. Later that year, there was an Inter-school karate competition. I was asked to participate. I trained at school and ended up winning a Gold. When I went to receive the medal on the stage, I was reminded of what was said during the interview. That moment changed me.