Home / News / Women in Medicine 2023 / Nina Vasan, MD, MBA
Women in Medicine: Nina Vasan, MD, MBA
During September, we proudly feature women in our department for
Women in Medicine Month!
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be an architect. The idea of creating buildings seemed magical. My dad loved architecture as well, and father-daughter bonding most often occurred at Lowes. We would take blueprints from books and xerox them, and use scotch tape to mix different components together to build our blueprint dream home. But, it turns out I can't draw, like at all. So now I really love interior design and reading about architecture.
I also wanted to be President; my AIM screenname was USACEONINA, which 4th grade Nina thought was very clever. *enter laughing/crying emoji*
What would you tell other women starting to pursue a career in medicine?
Think about your values and align your time with your values. For me, I really value family and relationships, but the demands of medical school, residency, and faculty life often led to me putting work above relationships, and I regret that. I also found that my physical and mental health took a toll. We learned really well how to take care of others, but not ourselves. Stanford and our chair Laura Roberts have been huge champions of the value of self-care.
Nina Vasan, MD, MBA
What are some of the things that inspire you on a day-to-day basis?
My colleagues and patients are daily inspirations to me. In psychiatry especially, the commitment my colleagues have to advocate and fight for the best, and the vulnerability with which our patients come to us, both are very powerful.
What specific strategies do you use to maintain your own well-being?
First and foremost, time with friends and family. I feel lonely at times; connecting with people and building a community helps enormously. Next, exercise for my body and mind - physical exercise, mindfulness, and gratitude practices are helpful though I always am wishing I would do more of them. And of course, quality sleep is the foundation of a good night and good day.
Women in Medicine
We asked some of the #StanfordWIM in our department to share their stories - what advice they would give someone starting in the field, what well-being strategies they use, and what inspires them. Read what they have to say! #WomenInMedicine
