In a field that has historically been dominated by men, women surgeons are breaking boundaries and becoming more prevalent in the surgical field. These professionals are serving as an inspiration to the upcoming generation of female surgeons. Based out of Germany, Dr Areena D'Souza, a distinguished orthopedic spine surgeon from South India, carved her path in medicine despite not having a family background in the field. Inspired by her father, who affectionately called her his ‘little doctor girl,’ Dr Areena pursued medicine.

Initially unsure about her specialization, she discovered her passion for surgery during her medical training. Although orthopedics was traditionally seen as a male-dominated field, she was encouraged by a professor who recognized her potential. Dr Areena faced skepticism from peers and professors but turned the challenges into motivation. Over time, she found orthopedics' blend of creativity and technical problem-solving exciting, particularly its abstract, mechanical nature. Her growing interest in this field ultimately led her to specialize in spine surgery, becoming a role model for women in orthopedics and spine surgery.

Embarking in an engaging interaction with Women Entrepreneur Review magazine, Dr Areena shares the details of her journey as one of the leading orthopedic spine surgeons in Germany. Let’s delve into it.

Can you introduce Kind im Zentrum Chiemgau and describe the procedures you perform there?

Kind im Zentrum Chiemgau is a beautiful pediatric orthopedic hospital in the picturesque region of Chiemgau, Germany, surrounded by the Alps. The institution is nearly a century old and did not do spine surgery prior to our arrival. I have had the honor of co-founding the spine department here with my colleague, Dr Boszczyk in 2020.

I specialize in pediatric spine deformities and my area of expertise is treatment for kyphosis, scoliosis, and other congenital spine problems in children. We see a wide variety of cases, many of which involve rare syndromes and deformities that bring children to us from all over Germany and even across Europe.

What are the most critical challenges you face as a surgeon, and how do you overcome them?

Our patients range from 12 months to 18 years, and even adults with childhood conditions, especially those with complex conditions such as cerebral palsy or congenital syndromes. Treating children comes with unique challenges, including managing parent expectations and ensuring that the surgeries we perform set the foundation for a good quality of life in adulthood.

Apart from this, pediatric surgery, especially spine surgery, is not as well supported in terms of specialized equipment and instruments compared to adult care. This lack of focus on sick children, who may not contribute economically, presents another hurdle. To overcome these challenges, meticulous planning and continual learning are essential.

What are the most significant professional mile­stones in your career?

The most significant milestones in my career began with completing my spine surgery fellowship at the Indian Spinal Injury Center in New Delhi. I was proud to learn that I was the first female orthopedic surgeon to complete a spine fellowship.

Another milestone was moving to Nottingham, England, where I expanded my expertise in pediatric deformity.

The next major turning point was accepting a consultant position in Germany. This came with an unexpected challenge which was learning German from scratch to pass medical exams. I took a year off from surgery to study the language and eventually earned my medical license, which allowed me to work across Europe.

What has been your success mantra?

My success mantra has been perseverance. At every stage, whether it was breaking barriers as a female surgeon or learning a new language for my career, I have learned that persistence pays off. Even when the road seems difficult, pushing through challenges brings immense growth. I am extremely grateful to my parents for their unwavering support and surgical mentors from Mangalore, Delhi and Nottingham for their training and guidance.

How do you see the healthcare landscape evolving in Europe, and what steps should healthcare lead­ers take to stay aligned with industry trends and requirements?

One of the biggest challenges right now is the shortage of healthcare personnel. At the end of the day, everyone has families to support, and while healthcare is often viewed as a charitable profession, it requires immense hard work and dedication. The industry needs to offer competitive compensation and improve working conditions to retain and attract skilled professionals.

The European time directive limiting working hours further complicates staffing issues. India is gradually moving in this direction too, so it will be interesting to see how that shift plays out.

A business leader you admire: I greatly admire Richard Branson for overcoming the challenges of dyslexia and achieving remarkable success in both his personal and professional life.

Advice for aspiring women entrepreneurs and business leaders: My message to female surgeons is to embrace their strengths as women and not feel the need to emulate their male counterparts. Stay headstrong, believe in yourself, and know that you don’t need to adopt a ‘rough and tough’ approach to excel.

Dr Areena D'souza, Orthopaedic And Spine Surgeon, Kind Im Zentrum Chiemgau

Dr Areena D'souza has extensive training in complex spine surgeries, including pediatric deformities, spinal trauma, and degenerative spine conditions. She completed advanced fellowships at the University of Nottingham and the Indian Spinal Injuries Center. She has received numerous awards, including the NASS 20 under 40 recognition in 2018, and is the first female Indian orthopedic surgeon to be awarded a Fellowship in Spinal Surgery by ASSI. Dr Areena has also presented her work at various international conferences and is a member of the prestigious Scoliosis Research Society.