She is the first doctor in the family and is looking forward to serving the people of the country.
Sharon Chandra will be turning 25 in July this year and has graduated from Fiji National University College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences by attainting a degree in Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery.
Originally from Rakiraki, she now resides in Nadi and completed her primary school education at the Wairuku Primary School and secondary education at the Penang Sangam High School in 2015.
Dr Chandra was exposed to leadership from a very young age and was a class prefect between 2003-2008 at the Wairuku Primary School, the assistant head girl in 2009 and head girl in 2010.
Likewise, at Penang Sangam High School she was form captain in 2011 and 2012 and a school prefect between 2013-2015.
“Getting into the medical field has always been a dream of mine especially from childhood and my parents also pushed me towards this career path,” she said.
“My parents and my family were the ones who always motivated me to strive for the best in life. I am utterly grateful to them for always guiding me and encouraging along the way with their words of wisdom.”
Having spent most of her school life in rural Rakiraki, the journey for higher education in Suva for six years was a life-changing experience for Ms Chandra.
“Entering university life and pursuing MBBS was an experience on its own. The transition is something so unique, fun and challenging at the same time that balancing one’s life becomes important.
“I am grateful for my family, friends and colleagues for always being there for me and helping me cope with any form of stress that I faced throughout my six years in medical school.”
Apart from studies, Dr Chandra also took interest in extra co-curricular activities at FNU and was appointed the assistant treasurer of the Fiji School of Medicine Indian Cultural and Religious Association in 2017 and one year later was promoted to the treasurer’s post.
“My role models have always been my parents as they made me realise that through sheer hard work and dedication one can achieve anything in life.
“No matter what difficulties come your way you must always find solutions to it rather than pondering why and how it happened.”
She cherishes passion, sincerity and dedication as her strong personal traits and attributes them in making her a doctor today.
“I am someone who is very passionate towards my goals, someone who is always eager to learn and like to do my work with utmost sincerity and dedication.”
She adds as a doctor, she is a self-motivated and a fast learner, has good communication skills, has compassion and empathy, and possesses the quality of perseverance.
Her six years of studies have handed her all the tools a good doctor must have, that include having good clinical medical and practical skills, diligently listing diagnosis, ability to work long hours and under pressure, good time management and able to work as a team — a team player.
Dr Chandra isn’t stopping yet and has pencilled in further studies in the coming years.
“I would like to do further studies (Postgraduate) in obstetrics and gynecology as this has been something which I loved learning and practicing in my clinical years in FNU.
“But first I am looking forward to starting my work life as a medical intern.”
Dr Chandra lists reading, listening to music, travelling, and surfing the internet as her hobbies.
