The Inspiring Journey of Dr. Rini Kuruvilla from Humble Beginnings to Medical Mastery
Welcome to AllAroundWorlds.com! Today, we are pleased to feature an exclusive interview with Dr. Rini Kuruvilla, a distinguished gynecologist and laparoscopic surgeon based in Dubai. Dr. Kuruvilla's remarkable journey from her humble beginnings in India to her current practice is a testament to her dedication, resilience, and passion for teaching.
With over 15 years of clinical experience, Dr. Kuruvilla has dedicated her career to spreading knowledge and skills in minimal-access surgery, especially targeting doctors from low-income countries in Asia and Africa. She has trained over 500 doctors globally and is the proud owner of the School of Endo Skills, approved by the Healthcare division of the National Skill Development Council of India for its unique training concepts.
Dr. Kuruvilla's goal is to ensure the provision of minimal access surgery to even the most underserved populations by training, teaching, and treating with empathy. Her passion for imparting knowledge on disease prevention and healthy living further underscores her role as a beacon of knowledge and empathy.
In this interview, you'll discover the inspiring story of Dr. Kuruvilla's career, including the challenges she faced and her innovative approach to laparoscopic training. Her insights into balancing professional and personal life, her advocacy for women's empowerment in the workplace, and her commitment to making a difference in the world are invaluable lessons for anyone striving for success.
Early Life and Background
Can you tell us something about yourself, your early life, and your education?
Dr Rini: Born to a family of working women, especially teachers, I was fortunate to have the proper direction and support to grow. My basic education was in my mother tongue, Malayalam, in a modest school run by the Catholic Church in Vaikom, a place renowned for its culture, communism, and historic, religious, and scenic beauty. I was among the rare individuals in my native place who chose to build a career before choosing a partner and family.
Growing up in a joint family, I learned the importance of mutual care and support. This environment gave me the freedom to choose against the socially accepted norms regarding the age of marriage, a strong will against dowry, and a plan to prioritize my career.
Overcoming Challenges
How have your early challenges, unique career path, and experiences in teaching and gynecology shaped your approach to medicine and leadership in your venture?
Dr Rini: Choosing to be a doctor was a significant step, different from my entire family's choice. The first challenge was convincing myself to leave my town for a bigger city full of strangers when I joined MBBS. The next challenge was dealing with the low marks in my first year of MBBS, a humbling experience that taught me to accept life's ups and downs. As the sole member of my large family to pursue medical education, I faced moments of confusion and desperation that even my family and friends struggled to address.
After becoming a doctor, I subconsciously searched for a way to teach and find purpose. I joined a medical college to teach and a palliative care team to provide home care and support to cancer patients, especially those in their final stages, children with cancer, and those with HIV. Choosing to become a gynecologist was a shift from breaking bad news to sharing happy news. However, I realized that the knowledge and skills we acquire are meaningful only if we impart them to others. The best way to do so is by teaching.
When I decided to start my own venture, the first thing I trained myself and my team in was positive thinking and a progressive attitude, acceptance of criticism, and hard work in the right direction. This approach helps us handle work pressure, high demands, and even fake reviews and targeted cyber attacks.
Business Overview and Competitive Edge
Can you provide an overview of the business and its presence in the target market?
Dr Rini: I do not see myself as running a business. What I am doing is what I believe I know best and love the most. At RK School of Endo Skills, we believe that learning is the primary process.
We help learners simplify the steps for themselves. There is no place for arrogance, setting limits, or negativity. Despite being in the early stages of growth, we have trained over a thousand doctors, including gynecologists and surgeons, through our various training programs, workshops, and CMEs in the past two years.
We offer high-quality training in laparoscopy, ensuring that even someone new to the concept can understand, learn, and acquire the skill and passion for what we teach. We have never turned away anyone seeking knowledge, even those who cannot afford other expensive training programs. Our training takes place in classrooms, labs, and hospital operating theaters, ensuring that the asepsis of the environment, patient privacy, and ethical aspects of the process are well balanced.
Growth and Expansion Plans
What are some of the growth and expansion plans you have in your pipeline?
Dr Rini: Currently, we provide training in minimal access surgery, including courses in laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, endoscopy, and cystoscopy. In the coming years, we plan to introduce courses in cosmetic gynecology, robotic surgery, and Basic Life Support training for doctors, medical students, and nurses.
Balancing Personal and Professional Life
How do you balance personal and professional life while ensuring that neither feels like a sacrifice and how has your supportive family contributed to this balance?
Dr Rini: I use time boxing and avoid a strict, monotonous timetable. I believe in doing things I like in a way that I can enjoy the process mindfully. Balancing work, family, and personal time does not feel like an unmet desire. I am blessed with a supportive family, including my 10-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter, who share the family chores.
I believe I have not sacrificed anything in my life. My choices have always aimed to keep me happy and satisfied without negatively affecting those around me. Sacrificing often leads to dissatisfaction in personal and professional life due to unmet expectations.
Organizational Support for Women
How supportive is today’s organizational culture for working women?
Dr Rini: As a gynecologist, I have always felt heard, understood, accepted, and respected by my present employer. As a woman in business, I have faced sarcasm, criticism, and negative marketing, especially when resisting attempts to harass or exploit my skills. Currently, I am part of a team that accepts, respects and understands me. I am grateful to Dr. Rahul Pandey, Dr. Ashish Bens, and Dr. Kishan Rao for their trust and acceptance.
However, not all organizations are supportive. Some still have disparities in pay scales for women and inadequately address issues related to pregnancy, maternity, and menstruation. In 2024, women still face demands for sexual favors, bullying, teasing, and body shaming in various parts of the world.
Strategies for Women's Success
What are the strategies that can help women achieve a more prominent role in their organizations?
Dr Rini: The first step for a woman is to have complete faith in herself, regardless of what others say. Spend time on self-care and self-improvement. Learn and practice at least one thing you enjoy. Do not compare or compete with others; focus on fine-tuning yourself. Quality work and efficiency are key to reaching prominent roles in a progressive organization. If you feel limited despite your best efforts, reconsider your work strategy and the organization's attitude.
Leadership Challenges
What has been the most challenging barrier in your career as a woman leader?
Dr Rini: The most challenging barrier has been targeted marketing, reaching the right people, and creating trust and impact in a concept-based field with a limited population. This hurdle is not specific to being a woman.
Inspirational Figures
Who inspires or inspired you most? Who have your role models been?
Dr Rini: My grandmother, who ensured all her daughters received education and jobs to be self-dependent, inspires me. The women in my family, including my mother and aunts, have motivated me to stay focused, strong, positive, and willing to help other women stay motivated.
Personal Time and Hobbies
Where will we find you on a Saturday and why? What do you do for a hobby? What is your ‘me time’ like?
Dr Rini: You will find me in my office, as I work on weekends for my patients' comfort. During my personal time, I enjoy walking alone to think freely. I also make videos to inspire and inform women or participate in health awareness programs. I ensure I take care of myself in the best possible way.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Dr Rini: I believe in my potential to succeed and my strength to overcome failures and wrong decisions. Juggling multiple courses and activities simultaneously has sometimes affected the quality of my focus. My greatest strength is recognizing that there are many things I do not know, motivating me to learn new things continuously. For instance, during the COVID lockdowns, I completed an MBA, training in cosmetic gynecology, endoscopy, infertility, radiology, yoga, video making, public speaking, and basic AI.
Defining Passion and Goals
What Defines Your Passion? How does your passion help you drive your goals in life?
Dr Rini: My passion and mission have always been to teach. I believe in sharing knowledge and skills with maximum effort and quality. Whenever I learn something new, I ensure it is understood with clarity so that I can teach it with the right quality.
Achievements and Recognitions
Dr Rini: I have been blessed with acceptance and recognition from the early stages of my career. The biggest achievement, I believe, is that people remember me and count on my opinion in health and medical care matters. The recent recognition I received was the UAE Mastermind Award for Outstanding Laparoscopic Surgeon in February 2024.
Advice for Aspiring Leaders
What advice would you give to women who want to start their own business?
Dr Rini: Do things you love, not out of compulsion or influence. Work with dedication and empathy towards those you serve, and believe in yourself. Take criticism positively but ignore negatives and sarcasm. Move forward with faith in yourself and your work process.
Any tips for women who aspire to leadership positions in the healthcare industry?
Dr Rini: Be empathetic towards patients and those who help us in our process. Show compassion towards those in need. Do not hesitate to take up a task that seems difficult, as difficult roads lead to beautiful destinations.
Thank you, Dr. Rini Kuruvilla, for sharing your incredible journey and valuable insights with us. Your dedication to teaching, healthcare, and women's empowerment is truly inspiring.
Stay tuned to AllAroundWorlds.com for more inspiring stories from leaders around the globe.
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