Healthcare has grown to be one of the largest sectors of the Indian economy, both in terms of employment and revenue. Over the last five to six years, India's healthcare industry has grown at a compound annual growth rate of roughly 22%. As this further grows and evolves, there will be a greater need for individuals to be aware of the preventive aspects of health care. Earlier, people were solely concerned about communicable diseases, but non-communicable diseases account for roughly half of the disease burden and are responsible for 60% of fatalities in the country. Today, everyone has realized the significance of preventive health care and medicines to not only remain healthy but eliminate the disease before it becomes serious or life-threatening. Catering pragmatically to the present-day healthcare needs as a national chain, CARE Hospitals has always been at the forefront of providing quality healthcare to the patient community in non-metro cities and is well poised to play a critical role in advancing patient care in these regions. With an expertise of over 35 years, in the healthcare industry, Ms. SanjulaVerma (Vice-president - Nursing services) is a vital contributor to the ongoing growth and success, and customer experience of CARE Hospitals. Here are the highlights from our exclusive interaction with Ms. SanjulaVerma.

Can you tell us about the prior industry experience that you bring to the table?

In 1986, I started my professional career as a critical care nurse with the armed forces and as of now, I have over 35 years of experience in nursing services. In 2012, after my pre-mature retirement, I joined Columbia Asia Hospital as unit chief of Nursing Services and then moved to a regional post. Soon I found myself working with Max Hospital as General Manager - Chief Nursing Officer. In 2020, I commenced my journey with CARE Hospitals group as Vice President - Nursing.

What are the various roles and responsibilities that you shoulder and also tell us your primary focus areas in terms of leading the team?

The nobleness of nursing as a profession is rooted in the way they bring the personal touch to caregiving. Selfless as they are, they are not only compassionate about in-patient care but are also known for extending the same to fellow healthcare caregivers around. Nursing is a critical resource in the healthcare industry. My core responsibility is to provide an efficient and collaborative environment for the nurses with attention to quality standards and adherence to ethical medical practices. I work around continuous development of the knowledge & skills of my team members to improve patient safety, quality of patient care, employee safety, compassion, and the patient experience. I also design the nursing architecture and guide the team to deliver high-quality nursing services to the patients. Strategizing is a key responsibility of a nursing head to improve clinical outcomes. Training is an integral part of nursing services and I ensure that we provide continuous nursing education to our caregivers. To be a good leader, you must be emphatic, understand your team's requirements, and be able to prioritize their demands before your own. The ability to motivate and inspire others will help you reach your goals as a team.

Throughout your professional journey, what has been the most significant milestone that you have achieved so far? What has been the driving force behind your success as a business leader?

Nurses nurture a synergized relationship with patients and stand tall as the back-bones of the hospital. They are often envisaged as support systems for the patients & families carrying hope and happiness. The Covid-19 pandemic was a stark reminder of the vital role nurses play. Without nurses and other health workers, we wouldn’t have won the battle against outbreaks. They are often the first and sometimes the only health professional that people see. The quality of their initial assessment, care, and treatment is very vital for a patient’s recovery. For me, the greatest milestone is and always will be that I can create a strong, highly skilled, and compassionate team of nurses who are working24/7 towards a humanitarian cause and betterment of the society.

"To be a good leader, you must be sympathetic, understand your team's requirements, and be able to prioritize their demands before your own"

What's your vision for the growth of Care hospitals shortly? And also, how do you keep the hospital well aligned with all of the industry's current developments?

CARE Hospitals is one of the long-standing icons of quality medical care in non-metro cities. Wellrecognized and looked up to with trust, CARE Hospitals embodies the values of transparency, excellence, compassion, equity, education, and teamwork. It is with these values that CARE Hospitals has been able to instill a sense of confidence and comfort in the hearts of the people. CARE Hospitals has built an enduring legacy of healing and recovery and its only motto throughout the journey has been ‘putting patient first’. Apart from serving patients, CARE Hospitals has also made its mark as an industry leader and innovator. Today CARE Hospitals has transformed into a complete healthcare ecosystem that not only provides healthcare delivery but also participates in training, development, and research.

What would you advise to the women aspiring to foray into the business and become business leaders and entrepreneurs in the future?

I would advise all young women to always believe in themselves - work hard, take risks, prioritize, believe in your potential and don’t be afraid to speak up. Always push yourself to learn as much as possible, empower those around you and establish trust in the people you work with. Empathy is one of our best and most powerful traits as humans, so be emphatic, resilient, optimistic and look after your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Col. Sanjula Verma, Vice President, Nursing, Care Hospitals

Ms. Sanjula Verma is the vice president of nursing services at CARE Hospitals, and she has over 35 years of nursing expertise. She is a nursing leader who has received numerous awards for her expertise and sound clinical services.