Celebrating The Doyenne: Dr. Karishma Kagodu

“For most of history, Anonymous was a woman.” ~ Virginia Woolf. On this International Women’s Day, Global Spa recognizes and celebrates the women in the industry as we delve into the success mantra they follow, mistakes that have helped them grow, and of course, their WELLNESS philosophy.

Dr. Karishma Kagodu is a Plastic Surgeon, and the Founder and Managing Director of Dr. Karishma’s Aesthetics (Kaesthetics).

What is your wellness philosophy?

Wellness is anything that makes you feel good. Everyone has their own wellness philosophies. It’s a very personal choice. I find what works best for me is to engage in things that stimulate my mind and body, exercising is a huge part of my routine and I am quite the fitness enthusiast. Besides working out, I also really enjoy indulging in self-care routines, I find them to be a self-esteem booster and it encourages me to spend time with myself and take care of myself.

Your success mantra?

The mantra to success is good old-fashioned hard work. Success means different things to different people, but to be able to get there requires a lot of hard work, perseverance and belief in yourself. I genuinely am of the opinion that if you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will. Honing your craft and excelling in your field is another key tenet of success. My mantra has always been to believe in myself and I am constantly on a journey of growth and self-improvement. I am always learning and expanding my horizon, which has led me to where I am today.

A lesson you learned from making a mistake?

Making mistakes is human, we all make mistakes. Learning is impossible without having erred and like any other professional I have made mistakes too. Making mistakes should never hold you back. It’s okay to make a mistake, it’s how you rise above it and learn, that really counts at the end of the day. I’ve always taken into consideration how my mistakes can better me as a medical professional and have made me a perfectionist. I never let myself get bogged down by mistakes, to me, that is an opportunity to learn and grow and I find it to be humbling and grounding. We learn more from our mistakes than we do from instant success.

Any piece of advice for all the women out there?

Believe in yourself. It is of the utmost importance for every woman out there to believe in herself and her dreams. Prioritize your education and career, plan your financial growth, and secure your future. We are living in a brave new world and women are at the helm of everything that is good and great, young girls must take advantage of this and focus on their career, self-improvement and financial independence. Strong, empowered, independent women are the gateway to a truly empowered and able society that is proactive, action-oriented and compassionate.

What has been your biggest pride as a doyenne?

My journey to becoming a plastic surgeon has not been easy. Especially in a country like India where my field of specialization is considered a taboo, it has taken years of hard work to get where I am today. I pride myself in being current. I always stay in touch with the developments and disruptions in my field that will enable me to make procedures safer and less intrusive. Be it attending conferences and seminars or doing extensive research and reading, I make sure I am always ahead of the game and strive to serve as an example to my peers. Besides that, it is a pride and joy to be the only female plastic surgeon in the city to have her own practice. That was a dream my mother had envisioned for me and I am glad I could turn it into a reality. I hope my practice grows and continues to make a positive impact in people’s lives.

Source: GlobalSpa