We recently connected with Alisha Bhatia and have shared our conversation below.

Alisha, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

It was 2009 I had just graduated from Naturopathic Medical school in Portland, Oregon. All my classmates were preparing for the Clinical Board exams to get their license to practice natural medicine, however, I was preparing for the Basic Science board exams.

Rewind a couple years prior and we had all taken that first set of boards in our 2nd year. However, unlike the majority of my classmates, I didn’t pass the Basic Science boards.

While it was a happy moment to be graduated, it didn’t mean anything unless I got a medical license in my opinion. I felt behind, and struggled with self doubt.

During my 3rd year of medical school I made another attempt at the Basic boards, which are comprised of 5 subjects and individual tests: anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, and immunology.

I had failed anatomy the first round, so I studied harder. On my 2nd attempt, I passed anatomy, but failed physiology. I was now on my 3rd attempt at passing the basic sciences, and reclaimed focus on physiology, while still staying on top of the other subjects.

I decided that perhaps I had a test taking problem, and started to work with a professional who did some assessments and told me I was a kinesthetic learner, as opposed to audio and visual. With this in mind, I started studying with walking and listening to material, or using flash cards.

My 3rd time, which I hoped and prayed was going to be “third times the charm”, was not, failure, again.

I was now in my 4th year, with my classmates having been 2 years past taking and passing their Basic boards, and I was approaching my 4th attempt!

I was facing fear over repeated failure, I was scared at what my future would hold if I couldn’t overcome this test. I didn’t feel enough, I kept missing the mark with various changing science subjects, making my target more elusive as to why I wasn’t capable of passing.

My 4th time, I was met with another failure, I don’t recall which subject it was that time. Each time, I’d pass 4 of the 5 subjects, and fail one.

I came across a Japanese Proverb, “Fall Seven Times, Stand up Eight.” I didn’t know at that time that I only had so many tries, before they don’t give you any more.

I had employed different counselors to help me overcome my possible mental block. Looking back it wasn’t a knowledge based deficit, as the failed subjects were always changing. I had to do something different, I had tried, tried, tried and tried.

Four failures under my belt. I was feeling down, and struggled mentally. I started to question if I could even be a doctor with feelings of depression, was that even “legal”, I asked myself? Could you be a depressed doctor, it didn’t seem “right”.

I don’t recall where this came from, but surrender was my new mantra. I had to let go of my desire to be a doctor, even though I wanted it more than anything, I felt like my life was defined by my career choice. I couldn’t even fathom another career, but something inside, told me I needed to let go, and not be attached to the outcome of passing this test.

It didn’t mean that I stopped studying, it meant I released the pressure, and I tried to take one moment at a time, and be in the present.

A favorite quote during that period of time, was

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery, today is a gift, that is why we call it the present”.

I decided to try to live by that.

And guess what, the 5th was the final, and I passed my Basic boards, and was able to pass the 2nd set of boards, the Clinicals on my 1st time!

This was one of my defining moments, failure isn’t permanent, give it your best, and surrender.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Naturopathic medicine is like going to a primary care doctor, where you get to tell them your health concerns, but instead of just a prescription, we give you a myriad of treatment options that include: Diet and Lifestyle counseling
Botanical/Herbal
Homeopathic
Vitamin therapy (IV’s or shots)
BioIdentical Hormones

We look for the root cause, we teach you about your body and health, we provide a guide to help you feel your best.

My motto is to Educate, Enhance and Empower You!

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

No! I feel so lucky that being with a patient, reviewing labs, discussing health concerns, is a pleasure, and doesn’t feel like “work”.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

I think it’s important to treat others with respect and uplift them. I have given my medical assistant a questionaire to learn what she likes best-some like kudos, paid time off, gift cards, raises, thank you cards, etc.

Try to speak their love language, and compliment regularly.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.DrAlishaND.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralishand/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrAlishaND/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQdujDn1tMpTEAuDBydBG1g
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/alisha-bhatia-nd-temecula-3?sort_by=date_desc