Episode 14: The Years It Took to Be a Doctor During the Pandemic with Khalid Pasha
Synopsis
Khalid Pasha is a cardiologist who found himself working at a hospital in New York City in early 2020 when Covid-19 hit. He could never have predicted what would then happen, but the journey to get there and to have the opportunity to save people was grueling.
Doctors go through lots of school, lots of test, lots of practice, lots of good and lots of bad to get where they are. Over the course of the interview Khalid talks about how naive he was entering the medical field in the first place, and how much he’s learned along the way. As tough as it is to be a doctor, there are few things as hands on and gratifying as saving people.
Together with host Greg Martin, the two discuss why Khalid chose his path, the ins and outs of medical school, choosing his specialty and what it was like to transform a hospital in New York in the early days of the pandemic.
Key Takeaways
Khalid is cardiologist, practicing now in Toronto after working over ten years in the United States
He got into medicine through a strong desire for a profession that made an impact and used his hands
Even through the years, still incredibly humbling every day as part of the job
Inspired by trips to Sri Lanka and the time his mom had a heart attack
Endless options and challenges within medicine based on personalities and lifestyle
Had a late start getting into medical school which brought him in a non-traditional path towards his field
Hit hard by the pandemic as part of his last year fellowship in New York City in a perspective changing experience
Unique impact of Covid-19 from a medical professional perspective
Khalid’s Background
Current practicing cardiologist in Toronto
Cardiology Fellow at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City with Donald & Barbara Zucker School of Medicine
Former Resident at University at Buffalo, Internal Medicine Residency Program
Completed medical school at Ross University
Undergrad at the University of Toronto in Biology and Biological Anthropology
Watch below an interview with Dr. Pasha from New York City during the early days of the pandemic.