15 Aug 2024 | 4 mins

Breaking barriers: My journey of determination and growth

Article by: Dr Priya Suresh

For South Asian Heritage Month, Dr Priya Suresh shares her inspiring journey from India to the UK and her path to a successful career in medicine.

Early inspirations and medical aspirations

I was born and raised in India, where my journey into medicine was inspired by a personal experience – my father's prolonged hospitalisation due to a hip fracture. Coming from a lower-middle-class family where academics were the priority, I became the first and only medic in my family.

My medical journey began with rigorous preparation for entrance exams, which secured me a place in a reputable medical college in India. My education, conducted entirely in English, provided me with extensive clinical training, exposing me to a wide variety of cases due to India’s diverse population. This experience equipped me to handle complex medical conditions with confidence.

Along the way, I also developed strong linguistic abilities. I became fluent in Hindi, Tamil and Kannada, and I learned to understand Malayalam, Telugu and Sanskrit, reflecting India’s rich cultural and linguistic diversity. The friendships I formed during medical school have endured for over 25 years. We still connect regularly through virtual fitness sessions and reunions whenever I visit India.

Cultural transition and professional challenges in the UK

After an arranged marriage to a cardiologist, I moved to the UK in 1997. Adjusting to the significant cultural differences, especially in social etiquette and communication, was challenging. The experience felt surreal, particularly when moving to a small, quiet town in the North West of England – it was as if I had walked into a silent movie.

Despite the challenges, I pursued a career in radiology, influenced by my childhood experiences. This journey was long and challenging. I had no family in UK other than my newlywed husband (my brother was in India with my parents) and absolutely no friends that I knew! I had to take six exams and work as a senior house officer in medicine before I could apply for radiology; thankfully, I passed them on my first attempt. The process was even more difficult because my husband and I were working in different cities.

Both my husband and I faced obstacles in our training, with advice that it would be difficult for him to secure a consultant position in the UK. Despite being told to lower my aspirations (I was advised to look for a consultant job in a small district general hospital and not aspire to a university hospital job, and also that usually women do not take up MSK radiology jobs), I persevered, and eventually, both of us became consultants in our respective fields.

Love for the NHS and commitment to patient care

Despite the challenges, I have developed a deep appreciation for the NHS, valuing its patient-centered approach over financial incentives. I admire the NHS's ability to adapt to changing health challenges and incorporate innovations to improve patient care, despite its current struggles with underfunding.

Over the years, the UK has become our home. My husband and I have raised a family with strong ties to both Indian and British cultures. My ethos has always been that there is a solution to every problem, and this has guided me through personal and professional challenges.

I love my MSK team in the hospital and all my friends that I have made over the years in the UK. The success of my trainees brings me the utmost joy.

My new role in the RCR as the first international medical graduate to become an officer has been an amazing experience to date. Despite the challenges, I hope I will be able help my Fellows, members and most importantly, our patients.

Family and personal achievements

From being the first doctor in my family, I now have a daughter who has started her medical career and a son who also aspires to follow the same path. My mother has been an integral part of our family, spending several months each year with us in the UK.

Our family shares a love for outdoor activities, including marathons, ultramarathons, hikes and cricket, in the process, raising loads of money for charities. I have also achieved a second dan black belt in karate and have pursued Indian classical dancing (Bharatanatyam) and singing (Hindustani classical), maintaining a deep connection to my cultural roots. I learnt and practiced in the UK that physical fitness is pivotal for mental wellbeing and would strongly advocate to have the work-life balance for professional and personal longevity.

We embrace cultural diversity, celebrating Diwali, Ramadan and Christmas with equal enthusiasm. I believe in the strength of the UK’s multicultural society, which I see as a dynamic and evolving force.

My story is not just about professional success but also about maintaining cultural heritage, adapting to new environments; passing on values of perseverance and dedication to the next generation and helping as many people as one can. I hope it showcases the importance of cultural integration, diversity and the strength of character and inspires many to realise their ambitions.

Article by:

Dr Priya Suresh completed her undergraduate training in India, followed by her MRCP in Manchester. Her radiology training was in Manchester and Plymouth, followed by a Fellowship at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore.

Her work with RCR started in 2011 when she initiated READ and served as the Programme Director. Dr Suresh has also sat on several RCR committees including the Curriculum Committee, Specialty Training Board and Faculty Board. She has chaired the FRCR 2A MSK SBA and is currently the Lead for the MSK module of RITI and SIG Lead for the iRefer MSK guidelines.

She is the Academy Lead for the Peninsula Radiology Academy, Training Programme Director and Teaching Lead for imaging and Honorary University fellow.

Dr Suresh's tenure as Medical Director, Education and Training, Clinical Radiology at the RCR is 2022-2025.