Dr. Shreeya Shrestha has bagged Women Leadership in Healthcare Award

Dr. Shreeya Shrestha has bagged Women Leadership in Healthcare Award

• July 03, 2022

I am from the land of brave Gurkhas with an immortal history, the country that celebrates unity in diversity, the country that flaunts the highest peaks of the world and birthplace of Lord Buddha, Nepal. My parents are indeed the biggest inspiration and the core strength of my existence. They always taught me that compassion and empathy make world a better place to live in, hence I have always yearned to make a difference and contribute to my society in a best way possible.

I am Dr Shreeya Shrestha, born and raised in a Newari joint family in my beautiful home town Dhulikhel with authentic culture and heritage, temples and shrines, glorifying the scenic elegance of majestic mountains and tranquility of fascinating forests and high hills.

I accomplished my schooling from Dhulikhel High School which acted as the foundation to shape me into the Leader, I believe I am today. My journey towards Leadership started when I got appointed as the female School Captain of my School and as Chartered Secretary of Interact Club of Dhulikhel in the year 2010. I was sound in my academics and I had equal love for dance, music, poetry and arts.

Coming from a family of health care professionals, I had always aspired to become a Doctor. I was admitted to one of the most prominent universities in Nepal Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences and I graduated to become the first doctor in my family.

Despite the challenge of overwhelming, complex syllables and study load as a medical student, I still actively participated in extracurricular activities, social service and volunteering jobs from the beginning.

During my tenure as President of the Rotaract Club of KUMS in Rotayear 2018/19, I struggled to revive the down falling club.

With the support of my hardworking board members, club members, my family, mentors along with the perpetual guidance and assistance of our sponsoring club Rotary Club of Dhulikhel despite all the challenges and hurdles on our way, I as a president along with my team were able to revive the club and accomplish 100+ projects in one year.

We were able to commence sustainable and impactful projects like Swastha Jagaran, a radio health awareness program broadcasted by Radio Namobuddha. Health on the web is a digital health awareness project dedicated to aware people on different health-related issues through various social media platforms.

I believed that everyone deserves to enjoy proper health care facilities and no one should be forbidden from this privilege due to financial crisis, so we carried out different fundraising events to establish my dream project Sahara, a poor patient fund for the financially challenged patients in Dhulikhel Hospital. So far, Sahara has assisted many economically challenged patients to get better health care services. One of our impactful and the closest project to my heart of Rotaract Club of KUMS  Female on the field comprising three major campaigns.

Hamro Garima; Dignity to Menstruation'' which aims to educate many young girls about Women's Reproductive Health, Menstrual Hygiene, and be familiar with the menstrual tools, and help them manage their long-term sexual & reproductive health.

Every individual has the right to make autonomous, informed choices regarding their reproductive health. Therefore we have promised to take a step towards providing correct knowledge of laws, health care services and providers in the hope to better the mindset and social context for the exercise of these essential rights through our another campaign “PRO-CHOICE: Matritwa ra Garva prati mero purna adhikar" empowering human right to possess full autonomy over choices regarding reproductive health and safeguarding the dignity, bodily integrity and overall life opportunities of women and girls.

Female on the Field team have also united to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality by improving maternal and neonatal health through preventive activities as well as by addressing avoidable factors that cause death during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum period through our campaign Matri Syahar; Maternal Health.

Similarly, we were able to conduct many general and dental health camps, health awareness programs and school health programs in rural settings.

Rotaract Club of KUMS were awarded with Platinum Citation by Rotary International and awarded by Rotaract District 3292 Nepal Bhutan for various accomplishments during my tenure as President in Rotayear 2018/19.

With all my experiences and dedication, I was elected as Zonal Rotaract Representative of Zone IV Rotaract District 3292 and also got the opportunity to participate and represent Nepal in the Rotary Youth Leadership award Manali.

As pandemic hit the world, I worked as a Covid Frontliner in the tertiary care and pioneering community-based hospital in Nepal established with the vision of ‘Quality Health Service to all'. Dhulikhel Hospital is an independent, not-for-profit, non-government institution with over 1,550 staff and 18 outreach centres in different rural parts of Nepal. Dhulikhel Hospital attempts to address health issues in remote areas through a holistic approach; quality service delivery; rational community-based methods; innovative public health interventions; and effective partnership programs.

I believe that to develop the health sector and to ensure quality health care services and exceptional patient care, we need to have global healthcare leaders with expertise in leadership in the field of medicine. As I was keen to discover and learn more about leadership in the Healthcare setting, I was captivated by the excellence and integrity of Harvard University. I was fortunate to be accepted into the course Leadership in Medicine' at Harvard Medical School.

Starting from early childhood, throughout adulthood and beyond, I am looking forward to yet another journey of learning, working and accomplishing my goals with an incredible sense of bonding and shared vision of Serving above the self.

I endeavoured to help my people in need. Joining Rotaract and Dhulikhel Hospital made me realize the impact each individual carries in the development and betterment of the community we live in.

Reminiscing on the journey, my aspirations walked alongside my learning and failures and have derived the courage to be meticulous and passionate about things I believe to do. While unfolding various layers of hindrances, never losing hope has always been my strength since Day one. I always thought that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I am a woman who challenges her fear and overcomes all the hurdles in her way.

I am much honored to receive "Women Leadership Award In Healthcare "globally. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Women Icon Powered by Times Women and World Women Council (WWC) for acknowledging, encouraging and empowering women worldwide. I am equally gratified to my institution Dhulikhel Hospital Rotaract Club of KUMS, Rotary Club of Dhulikhel Kathmandu University school of Medical Sciences, my family, teachers, friends seniors and juniors, my dear students and every person for modeling into the individual I am today. I believe that all it takes is consistency in your dream, dedication and determination and nothing and no one can stop you from succeeding in your journey.

Thank you

With best regards

Dr. Shreeya Shrestha

Founder/ Female on Field

President (2018/19)/ Rotaract Club of Kathmandu University Medical School

Medical Officer/ Dhulikhel Hospital