Nina Ahuja, MD
Tell Us About Your Career Path
My inclination towards wanting to care for others revealed itself at an early age – my parents often had to replace their stock of bandages since my dolls always seemed to need them to make them feel better. In school I enjoyed the sciences which continued into high school and university. After completing my undergraduate degree at University of Waterloo, I completed medical school at McMaster University, residency in ophthalmology at University of Ottawa, and started my surgical practice in 2003, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
With a passion for teaching, I was a key contributor in establishing the Ophthalmology Residency Program at McMaster University, a program that began in 2005. Over the years I received several awards for excellence in teaching, and for contributions to residency education including as past Program Director. After completing my term as Program Director in 2015, I took a brief hiatus from formal leadership roles to focus my attention on being a “bonus mom”. While I maintained involvement in various committees and boards, I returned to formal leadership in academia in 2018 and continued to progress along this path. Currently, my involvement continues as President of the Association of Canadian University of Professors of Ophthalmology (ACUPO), as a national examiner for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and as Academic Division Head for Ophthalmology at McMaster University.
In addition to my roles in academia, I was also interested in hospital leadership and administration. I have held several executive positions including Medical Staff Association President at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton (SJHH), and member of the SJHH Medical Advisory Committee and SJHH Joint Board of Governors. I am currently a member of the Board of Directors at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation.
As I progressed through my leadership journey in both academic and healthcare organizations, I noticed a range of leadership capabilities in fellow leaders, and especially in physician leaders. Some were excellent while others were ineffective, creating toxic work environments for those around them. Having observed negative ripple effects of ineffective leadership, my commitment to address the gap in leadership training in medical education was ignited. I pursued formal leadership education at leading business schools in the country and have earned my Excellence in Executive Leadership Certificate from Rotman School of Management (University of Toronto), my Certified Health Executive designation from Canadian College of Health Leaders, and my certification as an EQ-i 2.0® Certified Emotional Intelligence Instructor. In 2019, I established my own organization called “Docs in Leadership” and began creating and delivering a curriculum on emotionally intelligent leadership to physicians and medical trainees.
When the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic hit, government mandated closures of all elective medical and surgical activities impacted my practice significantly. While my leadership activities continued, the non-urgent closures offered an opportunity for personal and professional reflection. My academic leadership role brought my awareness to the stresses faced by faculty, medical students, and residents. To challenge our culture of silence in medicine around talking about stresses we face, I felt inspired to write my book, “Stress in Medicine: Lessons Learned Through My Years as a Surgeon, from Med School, to Residency, and Beyond”. A thoughtful collection of reflections and lessons that I have learned over the course of my medical career, the book was an Amazon bestseller upon its release and was recognized as a “Recommended Read” by the National Business Book Award in Canada. An invited guest on several podcasts, I was offered an opportunity to write a blog for Psychology Today (“Striving High”). These avenues have provided me with opportunities to increase awareness of our unique stressors, and to advocate for wellness in our profession.
Presently, I continue to enjoy contributing to our field as a surgeon, educator, academic leader, and advocate. I’m looking forward to the rollout of my new Docs in Leadership online programs: For learners, “Managing Stress in Med School and Residency: Set Yourself Up for Success as an Emerging Leader in Healthcare” (Spring 2022), and for physicians-in-practice, “Conquering Stress in Leadership: ADMIT® Your Stress to Increase Your Effectiveness and Have Impact Beyond What You Imagine” (late Fall 2022). To learn more about these programs or to receive updates, visit www.docsinleadership.org
Since childhood, I have been blessed with a loving family, always willing to offer advice, celebrate successes and support me through challenges. I attribute much of my success to this foundation, along with key mentors, a positive attitude and growth mindset. There have been rocky times along the way – a first marriage that ended because of a patriarchal undercurrent that became intolerable, as an example. From challenges however, I have emerged more self-aware, confident, and with greater clarity in who I am and the direction I wish to pursue. Blessed with a wonderful husband who believes in mutual respect and equality, we support one another and work together to further strengthen the bonds of our blended family.
Can you Cite Any Particular Instance or Individuals that influenced your choices?
A former highly effective and productive administrative assistant felt she had no choice but to find a new job, after a physician she was working with was not made accountable for his repeatedly bad behavior. Senior physician leaders who were responsible for managing the situation did not do so therefore the behavior was enabled. This led to significant anxiety for the administrative assistant who felt abandoned and unsupported. Knowing how strong and competent she was, I did my best to support her and advocate for change. I am committed to contributing to leadership education for physicians – and especially during their medical education – so that the physicians-in-practice and those we produce are not only medical experts, but emotionally intelligent leaders as well.
What Challenges have you Faced in your Medical Career?
While I have always loved medicine, it took me a while to connect with my own identity as a physician. My high expectations and perfectionistic tendencies made me especially hard on myself, often preventing me from internalizing professional competencies I had achieved. Other times I faced situations where my concerns as a female leader felt dismissed, particularly when it came to calls for accountability for patterns of bad behavior. While challenging, these experiences culminated in the creation of Docs in Leadership, advocating for emotionally intelligent leadership and wellness initiatives for all healthcare professionals, and especially those in training.
Have you had an Ah-Ha moment? Or is there anything else that has impacted your career trajectory or work within or outside medicine that has been a significant influence?
When I was a third-year resident in ophthalmology, I got out of bed one morning and met my first step with excruciating pain. I reached out to a former rheumatology supervisor who soon diagnosed me with rheumatoid arthritis. As the pain spread to my hands and feet, I saw the surgical career I was working towards flash before my eyes. Thankfully treatment resulted in remission of my condition, and despite occasional ups and downs, I am grateful to continue to feel well today. Having a chronic medical condition has contributed to greater appreciation for the work we do; a deeper sense of empathy for my patients; an increased ability to keep things in perspective and maintain personal and professional balance more effectively; and an increased willingness to seek support and share my experiences to help support others.
Given your lived experiences, do you have any advice for women in medicine?
While balancing home life and career is challenging, it is possible and largely dependent on expectations you set for yourself, and support systems you have in place. Take time to reflect on what is most meaningful to you and set your path accordingly, remembering to do so authentically and without fear of judgment from others.