A dedicated physician and proud Goan, Dr. Priyanka Sinari embodies the perfect balance between professional excellence and personal warmth. Currently working with RxDx Healthcare in Bangalore, she manages the Occupational Health Center at Wipro GE Healthcare (X-ray Division). With an MBBS degree and a Fellowship in Industrial Health (AFIH), Dr. Sinari has carved a niche in the growing field of occupational medicine, where workplace well-being meets preventive healthcare.
A Calling Born from Compassion
From an early age, Dr. Sinari knew she wanted to become a doctor. Helping people came naturally to her, and the medical profession was an obvious path. “Since childhood, I always liked helping people, and caring for others came very naturally to me,” she shares. In 2023, she discovered the AFIH course and recognised its potential as an emerging and impactful branch of medicine, one that aligned perfectly with her desire to improve people’s quality of life in their everyday environments.
Academic Journey and Early Challenges
Dr. Sinari completed her schooling and higher secondary education in Goa before moving to Belgaum to pursue her MBBS. The initial year was demanding, but by the second year, she found her rhythm, excelling in academics and earning first-class results through to her final year. Her internship marked one of the toughest yet most defining phases of her career. “Continuous 24-hour shifts, running for lab reports, collecting blood, and managing critical patients, those experiences truly built the foundation for my medical life,” she recalls.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she joined Goa Medical College as a Junior Resident in the Nephrology Department, managing critically ill patients undergoing dialysis. Working long nights in PPE after full day shifts tested her endurance, but the experience gave her invaluable insight into the resilience, teamwork, and empathy needed in medicine.
Approach to Patient Care
Dr. Sinari’s philosophy of care is rooted in simplicity and equality. “Give patients the best care and treatment you can, in the fastest yet least troublesome way possible. For me, all patients are the same,” she says.
She emphasises building trust and communication during consultations, ensuring patients feel comfortable enough to share their full history. She believes that listening itself can be therapeutic: “Half the time, people feel better after just talking about their problems. Medications are secondary.” When discussing treatment, she ensures that patients fully understand the plan and remain accountable throughout their recovery. By tracking their progress, she helps them stay consistent and engaged in their own healing journey.
Work in Occupational Health
As an Occupational Physician, Dr. Sinari focuses on preventive care and workplace wellness. Her role allows her to integrate medical expertise with lifestyle interventions, encouraging employees to adopt healthier habits, eat mindfully, and incorporate exercise into their routines. “At my company site, I’ve implemented changes to help employees improve their health,” she explains. “These small steps, awareness, diet, and activity, can make a huge difference. I want patient care to start right from their own homes, not just in hospitals.”
Memorable Moments and Human Connections
For Dr. Sinari, the most rewarding part of medicine goes beyond diagnosis and treatment—it lies in the relationships built along the way. She recalls several moving encounters that left lasting impressions.
One such memory is of a young boy undergoing dialysis for a genetic kidney disease. She often spent extra time talking to him during rounds, only to later learn of his passing. “That really disturbed me,” she says softly. “I still have his photo on my phone.”
Another moment of compassion came when she donated blood at night for a child in urgent need. “His father handed me a juice box and biscuits as a thank-you. I knew they could barely afford that, but it meant everything to me.” She also remembers receiving a call from a patient’s son years after treating his mother at GMC. “He called for advice because he remembered the care I gave her. That simple call reaffirmed my love for this profession.”
Facing Challenges with Grit
The journey to becoming a doctor is never easy, and Dr. Sinari has faced her share of challenges. She recalls an incident during her internship in the labour ward, where a patient was bleeding heavily and needed blood urgently.
With protocols delaying the process, she took matters into her own hands, making calls, rushing to the blood bank, and ensuring the patient received the transfusion in time.
“Every challenge teaches you to move forward,” she reflects.
Medicine in the Modern Era
According to Dr. Sinari, the medical field has evolved drastically in the past decade.
“Patients today are much more informed. The internet has made everything accessible, and people even use tools like ChatGPT to understand their symptoms,” she observes.
While technology is empowering, she believes the human connection between doctor and patient remains irreplaceable.
A Message for Future Doctors
Dr. Sinari offers sincere advice to aspiring medical professionals: “Choose medicine only if you’re ready to give it your 100%. It’s not for the faint-hearted. It’s rewarding, but it also takes a lot from you. Be ready to sacrifice, and always give your best to your patients—no compromises.”
Finding Balance and Fulfilment
Today, her role as an Occupational Health Physician allows her the flexibility to balance her professional responsibilities with her personal life. She cherishes time with her husband and daughter, enjoys gardening, cooking, and exploring new cuisines during her travels—all while staying connected to her Goan roots and the slow-paced life she loves.
Looking ahead, Dr. Priyanka Sinari hopes to continue creating awareness about occupational health and inspire others to prioritise wellness in everyday life. Her journey stands as a testament to dedication, compassion, and the belief that true healthcare begins not just in hospitals—but in the hearts and habits of people everywhere.
