Below is an excerpt of Dr Mugdha’s exclusive interaction with Women Entrepreneur Review magazine.

Tell us about your educational journey. What motivated you to foray into the field of healthcare?

My journey into healthcare began with a deep-seated passion for making a meaningful impact in people's lives. Despite excelling in math & science and having the option to pursue engineering, my innate desire to aid individuals in their most vulnerable moments drew me steadfastly toward medicine. By securing admission at KEM Hospital in Mumbai after my MBBS, I embarked on my educational journey with a clear vision to specialize in obstetrics and gynecology. The prospect of guiding patients through their fertility journeys and witnessing the joy of successful pregnancies filled me with profound satisfaction. During my MD program, a transformative exposure to reproductive immunology through a pioneering project from Oxford University of my teacher expanded my horizons. This pivotal experience solidified my commitment to advancing healthcare through innovative treatments, particularly for couples facing challenges such as repeated miscarriages and IVF failures.

My educational path has been marked by dedication, seizing opportunities for growth, and a steadfast determination to make a positive difference. It is this steadfast passion that continues to drive me as I navigate the dynamic field of healthcare, striving to bring hope and transformative care to those in need.

Take us through the prior industry experience that you bring to the table as a Gynecologist and Obstetrician. What were some of the most crucial junctures throughout this journey?

My journey as a gynecologist and obstetrician has been marked by several crucial junctures. The first significant step was choosing to pursue medicine, driven by a deep-seated passion for helping people. Specializing in obstetrics and gynecology allowed me to bring joy to families through their fertility journeys, which has been incredibly motivating and fulfilling. After completing my MD, my father encouraged me to start my private practice immediately, providing unwavering support and motivation. This early push was instrumental in building my confidence and establishing my career. Working alongside my husband, also an obstetrician and gynecologist, we dedicated ourselves to providing comprehensive care and eventually founded our own hospital.

A major turning point in my career was pioneering clinical reproductive immunology, focusing on helping couples with repeated miscarriages, unexplained infertility, and IVF failures. We developed a patented and copyrighted process called ImmuLIT, which addresses the immune tolerance necessary for successful pregnancies. This journey, from starting as an obstetrician and gynecologist to becoming a leader in reproductive immunology, has been incredibly rewarding. It reflects my commitment to innovation and patient care, bringing profound fulfillment to my professional life.

Introduce us to Dr. Raut’s Centre for Reproductive Immunology. What are the various responsibilities you shoulder as a partner of the healthcare institution?

Our center, Dr. Raut's Center for Reproductive Immunology, is dedicated exclusively to clinical reproductive immunology, helping couples develop immunological tolerance to pregnancy. As a registered startup, we also conduct extensive research in this field. Starting with our main center in Mumbai, we gradually expanded to multiple centers in Nagpur, Pune, Delhi, Bangalore, and Hyderabad.

Our work has gained referrals not only from patients but also from doctors and IVF specialists who encounter challenging cases. We employ our patented ImmuLIT therapy to help these patients and then refer them back to their original doctors for continued care. Our individualized passive immunomodulatory protocol ensures seamless treatment and successful outcomes for patients across various cities. This approach has allowed us to make a significant impact in the field of reproductive immunology, bringing hope to countless families.

In your opinion what are some of the most critical challenges you encounter in your current role? What steps do you undertake to overcome these roadblocks?

One of the most critical challenges I encounter in my current role is the lack of awareness about reproductive immunology among both doctors and the general population. Despite our extensive work and successes, many are still unfamiliar with this field. To overcome this, we actively participate in conferences and share our research. We write articles and give talks and interviews to create awareness about Reproductive Immunology among the masses. We run a registered charitable trust, Dr. Raut's Immunotherapy Foundation, which conducts awareness programs in the field of Reproductive Immunology. I am the trustee of the foundation.

Another challenge is the difficulty in collecting comprehensive feedback and data from patients post-treatment. Many patients do not follow up, making it hard to track outcomes and improve our methods. We are working to establish a more robust registry system and improve communication channels with patients and their doctors to ensure better data collection and continuous improvement in our practices.

"A major turning point in my career was pioneering clinical reproductive immunology, focusing on helping couples with repeated miscarriages, unexplained infertility, & ivf failures"

Throw light on the most significant professional milestone you have achieved throughout your professional journey. What has your success mantra been over the years?

A significant milestone in my professional journey was being awarded the Fellowship in Clinical Reproductive Immunology by the American Board, a recognition my husband and I both share. Out of the 36 gynecologists worldwide who have received this honor, we are proud to be the only two from India. This achievement highlights our dedication and expertise in reproductive immunology. Another notable achievement was being invited by Springer, a prestigious international scientific publishing house, to write a book on lymphocyte immunization therapy. This book, the only one of its kind published by Springer, marks a significant contribution to the field.

Furthermore, my success mantra has always been perseverance, continuous learning, and a deep commitment to patient care. These principles have guided me through my career, allowing me to achieve these milestones and make meaningful impacts in reproductive immunology. I am deeply grateful for the support of my family, who have been my pillars of strength throughout this journey.

How do you foresee women’s representation in leadership roles in the Indian healthcare landscape evolving going forward?

I believe that equal representation of women and men in leadership roles is crucial for the evolution of the Indian healthcare landscape. Women bring unique perspectives and innovative thinking, which can drive significant improvements in healthcare. While women's representation is still relatively low, it is gradually increasing, like Dr Sangita Reddy from the Apollo Group, who has immensely contributed to the healthcare field. Historically, India has seen strong female leaders, and I foresee more women stepping into leadership roles in healthcare.

Understanding and supporting each other is vital for progress. With more women in leadership, we can expect a more inclusive and holistic approach to healthcare, benefiting from the diverse viewpoints and collaborative thinking that women contribute. This balance will undoubtedly enhance the effectiveness and reach of healthcare services in India.

Dr Mugdha M Raut, Co-Founder & Partner, Dr. Raut's Centre For Reproductive Immunology

Dr Mugdha M Raut is a partner at dr. Raut's centre for reproductive immunology and dr raut's icprm, as well as the managing director of dr. Raut’s women’s hospital. She also serves as a trustee of the dr. Raut's immunotherapy foundation. With her extensive expertise in obstetrics and gynecology, dr. Raut has pioneered reproductive immunology in india. Driven by a passion for healthcare, she leads initiatives that provide specialized care and hope to couples facing fertility challenges.