Tell us about where you currently live (city/country) and how you ended up in this location.

I live in Sheffield, UK which is now my home. I graduated medicine in India and came to England for higher training. My father who is a General Surgeon and worked in England in the 70s and 80s always told me that the UK training was amongst the best in the world. I went on to train as an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist in Birmingham and completed my subspecialty training in Urogynaecology before being appointed to a Consultant post at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals in 2008.

Tell us about your work - your job title, where you work, how long you've worked in the field, areas of focus or research, etc.

I joined as a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer at Sheffield University 11 years ago. I lead the Laparoscopic Urogynaecology service, Perineal trauma service as well the Paediatric Adolescent Gynaecology Service. My chief research interest is in the field of Sexual Function in women with pelvic floor dysfunction. My MD Thesis was based on Sexual Function in Women with Urinary Incontinence. I have also undertaken the 3 National UK Prolapse surveys. Last year I wrote a book on “Medicolegal Issues in Obstetrics and Gynaecology” which is dedicated to my parents. This is one achievement I am incredibly proud of. I am current Chair of the British Society of Urogynaecology (BSUG) (October 2019) and have served as the Vice chair since 2017. I am also the UK representative of the International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (FIGO), Urogynaecology and Pelvic Floor Committee. I act as a Specialist advisor to the NICE IPG programme and have been BSUG spokesperson to the RCOG since October 2017.

When and why did you decide to join IUGA?

I joined IUGA in 2004. This was the turning point in my career and when I decided I was going to be a Urogynaecologist (as opposed to a Gynae Oncologist). I was working with Paul Moran at the time, and he whet my appetite for the specialty. The rest is history as they say.

What has been your most rewarding or memorable IUGA experience?

My most rewarding IUGA experience has been the opportunity to work on two important IUGA documents i.e. PISQ IR and the Surgery for SUI terminology report. Working on these has made me feel a valued member of the organization.

What was the last book you read or movie you saw? Would you recommend it?

I have been reading Michelle Obamas "Becoming". Hugely inspirational and a lesson in pragmatism and optimism, because life is all about finding that silver lining. I don't really get time for movies, but the movie I last saw which moved me was "The Theory of Everything". This is based on the life story of Stephen Hawking. It taught me how in spite of every possible adversity in life, one can still follow one's passions and dreams.

What are your hobbies? What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I love cycling and if it's in the French countryside, even better. Being alone with my thoughts while cycling is something I find incredibly therapeutic. I also enjoy reading and absolutely love the work of Atul Gawande. A life in medicine has taken over a lot of my hobbies (maybe one day I can get back to them).

What is one "fun fact" about you?

I have two birthdays (yes like the Queen)! Don't ask, long story.