“To those who trust us with their hearts — your faith keeps ours beating stronger.
Introduction
I was not born with a stethoscope in hand or a white coat waiting in the closet. I was born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, the youngest and only son in a family of five daughters. My childhood was filled with warmth, tradition, and the kind of love that only a big Indian family can provide. I was pampered, protected, and encouraged to dream without limits. I didn’t know then that life would demand not only dreams—but the grit to rebuild them from scratch.
Growing up in India, education was a non-negotiable value in our household. I was passionate about the sciences, fascinated by how the human body worked, and determined to understand its mysteries. That passion led me to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Madras University, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Pharmaceutical Marketing and then a master’s in marketing management. I began my professional journey in the pharmaceutical industry, where I climbed the ladder from Medical Representative to National Sales Manager, working with respected companies like Cadila, Lupin, and Raptor Crossbred. At that time, my path seemed firmly set—I was rising quickly and steadily.
But life had a different plan. In 2004, I was given the opportunity to immigrate to Canada. It was a decision that came with deep thought and heavy emotion. I was leaving behind not just my career, but the country that had shaped me. I arrived in Canada with credentials that were admired in India—but barely recognized here. I had to accept that everything I had achieved would need to be re-earned. That realization hit hard. Still, I didn’t allow that to break me. Instead, I took it as a challenge, a second beginning.
In Canada, I started in the laboratory sector, putting my biochemistry knowledge to use. I worked diligently for over a decade in laboratories across Ontario—from Dynacare and CML Healthcare to Mount Sinai Hospital. I worked in Histopathology, Microbiology, and Biochemistry departments, learning a new healthcare system from the ground up. It wasn’t glamorous work—but it was essential, grounding, and humbling. The more I worked, the more I missed the deeper connection of clinical care. I knew I needed to return to my original calling—cardiology.
I began pursuing Canadian credentials in Cardiovascular Sonography Technology, dedicating myself to a full academic re-entry. While my peers settled into long-standing careers, I became a student again. I spent countless hours in clinical placements, volunteering, and training, determined to earn my place. It wasn’t just education—it was transformation. Eventually, I received my certifications through Sonography Canada and CMRTO, and began working as an Intern Echocardiographer at Cardiacare Diagnostic Services, as well as at multiple healthcare institutions across the GTA.
Every step of this journey came with setbacks, sacrifices, and sleepless nights. But with each step, I also discovered more about myself. I wasn’t just becoming a new professional—I was becoming a stronger, more compassionate version of myself. Along the way, I continued to perform and master procedures like ECGs, Holter Monitors, Doppler imaging, Stress Tests, TEEs, and Transthoracic Echocardiograms, among others. I learned to treat not just the condition, but the person behind it.
Phase 1 : My Roots in Chennai – Childhood, Family, and Early Aspirations
“A heart that seeks to serve will always find the right rhythm.”
I was born in Chennai, one of the most culturally rich cities in South India, where tradition walks hand in hand with ambition. My childhood was nothing short of a blessing. I was the youngest of six children—the only son—raised by a father who worked tirelessly and a mother who nurtured us with grace and warmth. Growing up in a household with five elder sisters, I was loved, sheltered, and often affectionately spoiled. Whatever I asked for was given without question, and I learned early what unconditional love looked like.
Our family didn’t have wealth, but we were never short of values. My parents were not formally educated in a modern sense—my mother was a devoted housewife, and my father a hardworking man—but they held a vision for their children’s future that was far ahead of their time. They believed in education as the key to a better life, and that belief became the foundation of everything I’ve achieved.
Losing my mother when I was in Grade 12 was one of the most painful chapters of my life. She passed away while I was preparing for one of the most important academic exams of my early life. Her absence created a void I could never fill, but it also lit a fire within me. I realized that life could change in an instant—and that I had to honor her sacrifices by making mine count.
Academically, I was always curious and drawn to science. The intricacies of how the body worked fascinated me. I had a natural inclination towards biology and chemistry, and I knew early on that my life’s work would be connected to the human body, to healing, to helping. This passion led me to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Jaya College under Madras University. I was among the first in my family to step into higher education in the sciences, and the pride in my father’s eyes when I brought home my graduation certificate is something I will never forget
Beyond academics, I was also deeply influenced by the spiritual culture of South India. Temples, prayers, and festivals were all an integral part of our lives. Even as a child, I found peace in early morning prayers, and this spiritual discipline has remained with me throughout my life. It’s what kept me grounded during the hardest times, and it’s what helped me stay composed when life demanded more than I thought I could give.
My early schooling shaped not only my intellect but my character. I was fortunate to have had school teachers who didn’t just teach—they mentored. They recognized my potential, encouraged my ambitions, and instilled in me the value of discipline, empathy, and continuous learning. These teachers became the first mentors in my life, people who saw more in me than I saw in myself at the time.
Phase 2 : Educational Foundations and My Indian Professional Breakthrough
“Every wire I handled, every beat I studied — built the foundation of who I am today.”
After completing my Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Madras University, I stood at a crossroads—my love for medical science urged me to go deeper, to pursue a future that blended both academic knowledge and practical impact. I didn’t stop. I moved forward with conviction, enrolling in a Postgraduate Diploma in Pharmaceutical Marketing from Pondicherry University. It was a critical step that opened my eyes to the larger world of healthcare—not just the clinical side, but the strategic and business side of medicine.
Fueled by curiosity and a deep desire to contribute to the healthcare industry beyond laboratories, I pursued a Master’s degree in Marketing Management from Alagappa University. This program transformed the way I thought. I wasn’t just studying subjects—I was gaining insights into how the world of pharmaceuticals operated, how research turned into real-world solutions, and how communication and empathy were as important as medicine itself.
While my academic journey gave me the credentials, it was my early professional years that truly molded me. I began as a Medical Representative in a respected pharmaceutical company. I still remember the first time I walked into a hospital, portfolio in hand, not as a patient but as a professional. I was nervous, but determined. That was the moment I realized healthcare is not just about what you know, it’s about how deeply you care.
With each passing year, I rose steadily. From Medical Representative, I climbed to the role of District Manager, then to National Sales Manager. I worked with Cadila Pharmaceuticals, Lupin, and Raptor Crossbred, contributing to national-level projects, leading large teams, and representing breakthrough medicines across regions. It was a time of rapid growth and professional maturity. I wasn’t just part of the industry—I was shaping how medicine reached people.
These roles demanded more than just medical knowledge—they required leadership, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. I learned how to build trust with doctors, how to interpret complex data into usable strategies, and most importantly, how to lead with integrity. It was during this time that I began interacting with cardiology professionals across India. I found myself particularly drawn to their work—the intricacy of the heart, the life-and-death decisions, the technology involved. The spark for cardiology was lit during those years.
Another defining element of this phase was the mentorship I received at every stage. My college professors were more than just academic instructors—they were visionaries who inspired me to think critically, question assumptions, and never accept mediocrity. Later, in my pharmaceutical roles, I was mentored by General Managers and Founders who saw something in me and helped shape it. Their trust and belief in my capabilities allowed me to step into bigger roles with confidence. They weren’t just teaching me how to lead—they were teaching me how to build a legacy.
Phase 3 : The Leap to Canada – Letting Go to Begin Again
“Every wire I handled, every beat I studied — built the foundation of who I am today.”
In 2005, I left India—a land where I had grown, succeeded, and thrived—for a country where I would have to start all over again. The decision to move to Canada was not made lightly. At the time, I had already achieved a well-established career in India’s pharmaceutical sector. I had climbed the ladder from Medical Representative to National Sales Manager, and my path ahead was paved with opportunity. I could have become a CEO or Vice President in the coming years. But something inside me longed for more. Not more in terms of position or pay—but more growth, more challenge, more purpose.
I remember boarding that flight with a heavy heart. I wasn’t just leaving behind a job—I was leaving my identity, my network, and a familiar life. I had my wife and children with me, and though that gave me strength, it also added to the weight of responsibility. In Canada, we had no relatives, no fallback plans—just faith and determination.
The reality of immigration hit hard and fast. Despite my degrees, experience, and years of service, none of my Indian qualifications were accepted in Canada. It was like being told, “You’re starting from zero.” I was not just in a new country—I was in a new world. The healthcare system here had different standards, licensing processes, and protocols. Even if you had been a doctor in India, you wouldn’t be considered one here without going through their entire system from scratch.
I had two choices—either feel defeated or get back to the grind. I chose the latter. I began working in clinical laboratories, first as a Laboratory Assistant, later moving into specialized departments such as Biochemistry, Histopathology, and Microbiology. I joined companies like CML Healthcare, Dynacare Medical Laboratories, and Mount Sinai Hospital, slowly rebuilding my credibility from the bottom up.
It wasn’t easy. I had to go back to school, apply for evaluations, wait for months just to have my degrees assessed. I had to study alongside students much younger than me, all while working and supporting my family. There were times I felt invisible, overlooked, even underestimated. But I reminded myself daily—I didn’t come this far to give up.
Those early years in Canada taught me humility, patience, and perseverance. Every job I took, every class I enrolled in, every application I submitted—was a step toward reclaiming the identity I had left behind. I knew I wasn’t starting from zero—I was starting from experience. And that made all the diference.