From MBA to Acupuncture: An Exciting Career Change
Of all the things that I had planned for myself, becoming an acupuncturist was never one of them!
Yes, I had a keen interest in human biology and medicine, which led me to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Human Biology, a Masters and PhD in Pharmacology that prepped me for a life of research. Severe allergies led me to quit lab research and get an MBA with a goal of working in the pharmaceutical industry. For almost ten years I had a stimulating and rewarding career in various roles, all within the discipline of psychiatric drug development. Then I was laid off, and my husband was offered his dream job in Boston. And so we moved to Boston in 2010.
My son started 9th grade in a huge, competitive public school. My husband was travelling 60-70% of the time. I decided to take a year off until things were back on an even keel. But I found myself bored, depressed, and missed being at work, missed my friends, and missed having an Identity. My friend, Dr. Kalpana Patankar, a pediatrician-turned-acupuncturist suggested that I study Chinese Medicine. "Boston has an excellent acupuncture school, the New England School of Acupuncture (NESA)" she said. She went on to tell me that Chinese medicine is like raga music- there is a framework, but then the treatments are individualized, like the improvisational nature of the music. 'It's a journey. It's something you will have with you for the rest of your life'. My reaction was predictable- surprise, disbelief, everything just short of dismissal. Besides, was I ready to invest 3 years of my life in another Masters program in a field that I knew nothing of, and was frankly, skeptical about? Give up my years of training and professional experience and expertise? Then I considered the potential positives: a flexible schedule; interest in the healing arts, alternative medicine; and the secret desire to have my own business. Plus, as my friend said, this was a profession for life.
I'd never had an acupuncture treatment, and, at the time, I was getting some annoying hot flashes. So off I went to the NESA clinic. Two surprises awaited me. The practitioner who treated me was a PhD in Cancer Biology, and was working in the pharmaceutical industry. And my hot flashes went away…
And so, I enrolled. A different approach, the physiological explanations seemed poetic and musical at times yet based in three thousand years of observation, the acupuncture points rooted firmly in anatomy, an emphasis of the interrelationships of the individual with the larger environment, and at all times, patient-centric. Most satisfying of all was that there was no separation of mind and body. No illness was 'in their head only'. The neuroscientist in me was happy. This was personalized medicine at its best. Of course I rebelled initially. My scientifically trained mind could not accept a lot of this. Then I heard Sadhguru’s profound words: Knowledge, he said, is finite, but ignorance is infinite. So why not keep an open mind?
I had the support of my family and friends. My kids quizzed me before tests. My friends in India chatted with me on gchat as I studied at night. Many long hours of soul searching conversations- am I doing the right thing? Along the way, I saw patients get better in the various clinics I assisted at.
Three and a half years later I graduated and was finally licensed by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine- Committee of Acupuncture to practice acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. I was 51 years old.
I started my own practice, and I have been in practice for five years. I see and treat all sorts of illnesses. Most people come to acupuncture after having tried many different treatment options. And very often, they feel better after getting treated. There are many challenges: marketing the practice, overcoming skepticism, getting patients, insurance reimbursement, ability to sustain a practice financially, continuing education, the list goes on. However, the work has been immensely satisfying. Meeting different people, hearing their stories has given me a much wider appreciation for the human condition. I am humbled to be able to help them resolve long-standing issues, humbled to be carrying on a 3000 year old tradition. I’ve always been surrounded by can-do people: my grandmother, mother, relatives, and friends. And so I know, I can, and I’m never too old to start something new!
Bio: Dr. Suraja Menon Roychowdhury is a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese medicine practitioner with a PhD in Pharmacology. She has her own private practice, Crossing Point Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine in Lexington, MA, USA. She has given several community talks on TCM and is passionate about spreading the word regarding this powerful, safe treatment modality. To this end, she has served as the Massachusetts State Chapter Chair for Wholistic Health Alliance. She currently serves on the board of Vision-Aid, a nonprofit organization providing Vision Rehabilitation Services in the under-served areas in India. She loves Japanese short form poetry, is an award winning published poet and teaches Advanced Haiku online. She continues to train in Hindustani classical music, a life-long passion.