We were lucky to catch up with Amitha Kalaichandran recently and have shared our conversation below.

Amitha, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about the best boss, mentor, or leader you’ve ever worked with.

The best boss I ever had was Dr. Rob Sargent, my supervisor during my third-year medical school clinical rotations. Dr. Sargent was an incredible teacher—humble, kind, funny, and a person of great integrity. He deeply understood the perspective of students, treated everyone with fairness, and was an outstanding advocate. Above all, he was an inspiring role model for what it means to be a great physician. He sadly passed away a few years ago after a long battle with brain cancer and my book On Healing is in part a dedication to him.

Amitha, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am an integrative medicine-trained physician with a master’s in global disease epidemiology and control from Johns Hopkins, completed prior to medical school. I’ve also pursued a journalism fellowship and founded a children’s health app, combining my passion for data-driven, science-informed solutions with innovation and communication. My approach to health emphasizes addressing root causes and embracing the whole person, while ensuring that clinical content and communication remain central to driving impact.

Currently, I work as a health tech consultant, partnering with startups in the health and wellness space to develop strategies that are science-based, accessible, and effective in achieving key milestones. Additionally, I am now an author—my book On Healing releases January 14th and explores modern approaches to healing. I am honored that it recently received a coveted Kirkus Star review, a distinction awarded to fewer than 10% of books and only 2-3% of indie-published works. This recognition reflects my commitment to excellence in both writing and research.

I’m most proud of my ability to blend clinical expertise, innovative thinking, and effective communication to drive meaningful outcomes in both my consulting work and personal projects. More about me can be found at DrAmitha.com and OnHealingBook.com

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

No, I wouldn’t choose the exact same path, but I would still choose medicine. If I could go back, I would be more discerning about where I went after medical school, ensuring that the environment aligned with my values and supported innovation and thriving. While I don’t regret pursuing integrative medicine or journalism—both of which have enriched my perspective—I now understand the critical importance of being in a culture that aligns with your values. Such alignment is essential not only for personal and professional success but also for providing the best patient care and fostering meaningful innovation.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

My journey of resilience is best illustrated in my book On Healing. I found myself working in an academic hospital environment that was deeply misaligned with my values—characterized by low morale, lack of collaboration, systemic biases, bullying/mobbing and unspoken burnout that was acknowledged only after the fact. The toxicity of the workplace ultimately led to my diagnosis of workplace-induced anxiety and depression, entirely rooted in that environment.

Healing from this experience was a profound testament to resilience. It required faith, introspection, and a commitment to optimizing various aspects of my life, including nutrition, sleep, and social support. I also became more discerning about workplace culture, ensuring alignment with my values in subsequent roles. This journey not only transformed my health but also reinforced the importance of thriving workplace environments for mental, emotional, and physical well-being—an experience many Americans share, as up to 75% encounter toxic workplace cultures. My story resonates with those navigating similar challenges, and I hope it inspires others to prioritize their health and values.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://DrAmitha.com
• Instagram: @DrAmithaMD
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amithakalaichandran/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrAmithaMD
• Other: https://OnHealingBook.com

Image Credits

Cover design: Mykola Shelepa
Headshot photographer: Andre Toro