2 weeks Ago
Dubai: Dr Shanila Laiju, a Dubai-based Indian dentist and mother of three, has skillfully balanced her personal and professional life to become the group CEO of Medcare Hospitals and Medical Centres. Born in the small coastal town of Eriyad in Kerala, her journey took her to Iraq and Kuwait. After marrying Laiju and moving to Dubai in 1999, Dr Shanila dedicated five years to raising her two sons.
“I wanted to be a hands-on parent. I purposefully took a pause in my career to focus on my family,” said Dr Shanila, who did her dentistry at Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Mangalore. Once her two sons started schooling, Dr Shanila began exploring job opportunities.
However, she made an informed decision to shift from a clinical career to a role in administration. “I understood the responsibilities of being a full-time doctor. With a growing family, I knew I wouldn’t be able to balance my family life and clinical practice.
But I wanted to stay in the healthcare industry. I saw an opening at Aster for an admin role. In January 2003, 22 years ago, I started as a clinic supervisor.
” ‘I thought of resigning’ After joining Aster DM Healthcare, Dr Shanila pursued an MBA in healthcare management. By successfully contributing to new projects and proving her abilities, she rose through the ranks from administrator to Chief Operating Officer (COO), Group COO, and eventually, to her current role as Group CEO of Medcare – a venture of Aster DM Healthcare. “I feel blessed to have had such an amazing opportunity to grow in my career.
I am thankful to everyone who has been part of my journey.” However, when Dr Shanila became a mother for the third time, she contemplated quitting her job. “Initially, I thought of resigning from my role to devote my time looking after my daughter the way I took care of my sons.
But when I saw women returning to work after having children, I decided that I needed to find a balance in my life.” Finding balance is key She underlined that managing a family with three children and a career can be challenging, but finding balance is key to success. “In the beginning, I tried to be involved in every aspect of my career and family.
I would do everything myself, which became overwhelming. It was taking a toll on my life.” Shifting from a perfectionist mindset, where she tried to do everything herself, Dr Shanila began to delegate responsibilities.
“I always wanted to be the final decision-maker, but I soon realised that if I didn’t start delegating and empowering others to make decisions, I couldn’t expect them to make the right ones. Once I started delegating, I found that managing became much easier. It helped me build stronger relationships with my colleagues,” said Dr Shanila, who has managed to strike a balance in life by being disciplined, setting and sticking to deadlines at work.
“Deadlines have helped me complete my tasks efficiently. When I’m home, I can fully focus on my family.” Currently, both her sons are working, her daughter is studying interior design in London, and her husband, Laiju, is an engineer running his business.
Challenges, achievements Reflecting on other challenges, Dr Shanila recalled the difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I had colleagues who would cry, saying that when they returned home, they couldn’t even hug their children because they feared infecting them with the virus. This was a time when I had to comfort our colleagues and ensure our patients were taken care of.
The pandemic was a time when we all stood together, had each other’s backs, and sailed through it as a team.” From her initial role as a clinic supervisor to her current position as Group CEO, Dr Shanila has led her team to achieve major milestones, including establishing Medcare as a premium healthcare brand, from one hospital in 2007 to five multi-specialty hospitals and 21 medical centres, earning Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation, receiving awards for clinical and service excellence, and personally being recognised as a ‘Promising Indian’ and ‘Women CEO of the Year’. Dr Shanila credited Dr Azad Moopen, Chairman of Aster DM Healthcare, as her mentor and role model, and her father for teaching her life lessons in simplicity, leadership and parenting.
She draws inspiration from women leaders like Indra Nooyi, Michelle Obama, Priyanka Chopra, Oprah Winfrey, and Jacinda Ardern..
