Samara Mahindra, the visionary founder of Carer – Personalised Cancer Care, emerges as a stalwart in the healthcare sector, pioneering transformative changes in cancer care. With over a decade of dedicated experience, she has redefined the landscape of cancer treatment, emphasizing personalized and comprehensive support for patients and their families. We at EliteX are proud to introduce Samara Mahindra as one of the Transformational Women in Healthcare, 2024.
Samara’s journey into the healthcare industry began as a personal quest, witnessing her mother’s battle with cancer. The limitations of conventional treatments sparked her determination to develop a holistic solution, culminating in the inception of Carer. Through her leadership, Carer stands at the forefront of integrative oncology, offering a multidisciplinary approach to cancer care. In the context of healthcare transformation, Samara defines it as fundamental improvements in care delivery and outcomes. She underscores the indispensable role of women in driving this transformation, citing their diverse perspectives, leadership, and advocacy for patient-centered care.
Reflecting on her transformative initiatives, Samara highlights the challenge of addressing the lack of awareness, misconceptions, and financial barriers prevalent in India’s healthcare landscape. Despite the hurdles, she remains steadfast in her mission to change mindsets and establish evidence-based practices. When discussing the challenges women face in leadership roles, Samara acknowledges the conflict between career aspirations and personal growth, particularly in balancing motherhood with professional endeavors. While she hasn’t personally encountered gender-related obstacles in her career, she recognizes the broader struggle for gender equality and recognition in authoritative roles.
To young women aspiring to excel in healthcare, especially in transformative roles, Samara offers invaluable advice:
- Perseverance is key – Stay committed to your goals despite challenges.
- Timing is never perfect – Seize opportunities as they arise, even if the timing seems imperfect.
- Support assumptions with evidence and data – Ground your decisions in thorough research and analysis.
- Follow your intuition – Trust your instincts and vision, even in the face of uncertainty.
Samara Mahindra’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of women leaders in healthcare shines through her advocacy for crucial initiatives and programs. Recognizing the significance of mentorship, she emphasizes the importance of pairing aspiring female leaders with experienced mentors who can provide guidance, support, and networking opportunities. Additionally, leadership development programs tailored to cultivate essential skills such as communication, negotiation, and strategic thinking are instrumental in empowering women to ascend to leadership roles. Samara underscores the value of networking events and conferences as platforms for women to connect, share experiences, and forge professional relationships, fostering a supportive community within the industry. Moreover, she advocates for gender diversity initiatives to promote inclusivity and equal opportunities for career advancement, alongside educational scholarships and sponsorships to support women pursuing education and training in healthcare leadership roles.
“An equal balance is almost impossible. There are times when your team, company, and work require all the attention and that’s when you have to put your personal life on the back burner. However, other times could be the opposite. For me, this is the constant balancing act I am doing and it seems to work.”
Balancing the demands of professional and personal life remains a perpetual challenge for Samara in the dynamic healthcare landscape. Acknowledging the inevitability of prioritizing work during critical junctures, she navigates this delicate equilibrium with flexibility, recognizing that there are times when the demands of her team and company necessitate her full attention. This constant balancing act underscores her resilience and adaptability in managing the inherent complexities of her dual roles.
Unlocking the Potential: Medical Cannabis in Cancer Care
Within the realm of cancer care, the emergence of medical cannabis presents a promising frontier for patients and healthcare providers alike. In regions where traditional treatments may be inaccessible or financially burdensome, the therapeutic benefits of cannabis offer a more affordable and accessible alternative. Samara Mahindra recognizes the potential of this burgeoning industry, as ongoing research continues to unveil its efficacy in alleviating cancer-related symptoms such as pain, nausea, and loss of appetite. Moreover, the evolving regulatory landscape surrounding cannabis worldwide signifies a significant shift in attitudes, paving the way for further exploration and integration of this alternative therapy. With the potential for explosive growth, particularly in regions yet to embrace its benefits fully, medical cannabis stands poised to revolutionize cancer care and improve patient outcomes in the future.
Mentorship and networking stand as pivotal pillars in advancing the careers of women in healthcare transformation, according to Samara. Mentors provide invaluable guidance, sharing their experiences and insights to navigate career challenges effectively. Networking facilitates connections with peers, industry leaders, and potential mentors or sponsors, fostering opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and career advancement. Through mentorship and networking, women can amplify their voices, advocate for gender diversity, and catalyze transformative change in healthcare leadership.
Samara Mahindra exemplifies the essence of transformative leadership in healthcare, inspiring countless individuals to pursue excellence and innovation in the industry while her unwavering dedication to championing women in healthcare transformation underscores her commitment to fostering an inclusive and empowered future for the industry.
“Perseverance is key. Timing is never perfect. Always support your assumptions by evidence and data, but never forget to follow your intuition.”
