Dr. Harit Chaturvedi
MBBS, MS - General Surgery, MCh - Surgical Oncology
- In 2009, I moved to Max Healthcare with the dream to build a
strong oncology
program which focus on quality, academics, research on the DMG
model with
empathy and care at the core. Over the next three years we
built a consensus
amongst professionals and in 2012, I was designated as
Chairperson for Max
Institute of Cancer Care (MICC).
Max Institute of Cancer Care (MICC), was conceived by me in
2012, with the
vision to contribute in the global war on cancer by
strengthening best clinical
practices, attracting and nurturing young talent and
contributing in cancer
research. in ten years we have earned respect for our
organization in the
oncology world. We identified, six pillars on which this vision
could be
executed, Disease Management Group based clinical model,
Balanced Score
Card to ensure research and enhance collaboration, Clinical
Admin forum to
bring shared responsibility Research and academics, IT and
technology and
patient experience. The first three pillars were brought in for
the first time in
any cancer institution in private sector in this part of the
world. It required a
huge shift from the prevailing practices in that time. We
prepared a vision
mission document through a collaborative process. A roadmap was
carefully
prepared and executed, through several town halls, leadership
workshops and
consensus building, which could win the confidence of the team.
This model
helped in contributing to research and innovation. As a result
of this journey,
we have over hundred oncologists at MICC, spread over 12
hospitals. Today,
we have one of the finest and largest oncology programs in this
part of the
world. We treated close to 28000 cancer patients last year and
as a group had
over 85 publications in peer reviewed journals. We partner with
industry at
multiple levels for innovation and research. Our partnership
with GE, Pfizer
and Roche has created multiple avenues. At the National Cancer
Grid (NCG),
we are the only organization other than Tata Memorial Hospital
to host the
national virtual tumor board. Today, MICC is the strongest and
most respected
brand for Max Healthcare and contributes close to 25% of Max
Healthcare pie.
MICC led from the front and has inspired so many groups and
hospitals to
create a roadmap for organ based specialization.
- In 2004 I moved to Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute, a dedicated
facility for
cancer treatment, which was the largest facility in northern
India. Within a
couple of months of my joining, we executed the sub
specialization model in
surgical oncology. As the facilitator for this, I accepted the
breast, thoracic and
sarcoma unit and worked relentlessly to strengthen the surgical
processes,
evolving multimodal practices and patient experience. I
initiated the Video
Assisted Thoracoscopy Surgery (VATS) program. Within six months
of
specialization in surgical oncology, it was initiated in
medical and radiation
oncology, and the Disease Management Group (DMG) model started
taking
shape. Within three years, we moved on to organ based tumor
boards. I also
believe, this laid the foundation for the growth of RGCI.
During this tenure, we
could bring focus on patient care beyond treatment and the
beginning of
support groups for our patients and their care givers. I feel
that besides the
patients, the doctors and nurses also learnt a lot on empathy
and care. The
power of hugs, gentle touch and caring words were absorbed
across the
institution in a very hands on way. We organized a national
level conference
on thoracic oncology with a surgical workshop.
- I joined Indraprastha Apollo Hospital when they were ready to
install their
radiation therapy equipment with a detailed plan of oncology
service
structure. Even though we could mobilize consensus on major
issues,
however, because the start of the department got delayed by a
year and half
the whole momentum was lost. Yet we had a well-oiled Tumor
Board
functioning there. My zeal to strengthen oncology awareness
among primary
physicians motivated me to conduct a full day conference for
them. Under the
aegis of Delhi Medical Association, we did ‘Oncocon 2003’. I
was in-charge of
the oncology session of the 45th Annual Delhi State Medical
Conference 2002
which was also directed for primary physicians. For the 2007
annual event of
DMA I was the chairman of the oncology session.
- Within three months of joining Batra Hospital, Delhi, I
prepared a three-page
draft of how a cancer service should be, to cater to the needs
of our patients
with focus on structure, processes and professionals to make it
happen. This
was an amazing learning ground for me. On one side, I worked to
keep up
with new science and new technology and ever evolving
multimodal practices
in oncology world, on the other I realized, that without a
team, it was not
possible to build a strong program with empathy, science and
research at the
core. Working with colleagues across departments, I learnt a
lot about team
building. Gradually, the draft addressing different processes
and strategies for
a great cancer center evolved into a much detailed document. I
moved to
Apollo Hospital, Delhi to attempt a new beginning. My north
star was sub
specialized, dedicated clinical work, on Disease Management
Group model
with focus on quality, research and academics. Empathy and care
were as
important, if not more than the science and infrastructure. At
Apollo, we
succeeded in strengthening our tumor boards and execution of
multimodal
treatment and a collaborative team approach. A comprehensive
oncology
program started taking shape in my mind.
- The opportunities at Kidwai Institute of Oncology, Bangalore
and Cancer
Institute, Chennai, helped shape my life to this cause. I was
inspired by the
missionary zeal of Dr S Krishnamurthy and Dr V Shanta, at the
Cancer Institute,
Chennai, where i did my formal Surgical Oncology training. The
empathy,
patient care, scientific pursuit to solve the cancer problem
for our masses,
were very central to the Cancer Institute ecosystem. I spent
five years at the
Institute. It was a rare privilege to learn the science and art
of oncology from
the master himself. It gave me a direction and a purpose to
contribute at the
national scene with every opportunity to strengthen cancer care
in a selfless
manner. I came to Delhi in 1995 with the knowledge and skills
to treat cancer,
but more importantly with an attitude to learn and empathy for
our patients
and their care givers.
- I did MBBS and MS (Surg) from GSVM Medical College, Kanpur and
thoroughly
enjoyed the clinical and social challenges. The environment
was hierarchical
with several problems related to patient care and student's
education and
training program. The desire to solve these challenges,
motivated me to start
a fortnightly newsletter by the name of 'Charcha’, which
brought the voices of
all stakeholders together. This helped us solve few important
issues, which
were buried under the carpet for several years. It also helped
me develop
problem solving skills at an early age and ability to build
consensus, which
came handy later in life. I went on to be elected the president
of our student’s
union and contributed in shaping of residency program for the
state of Uttar
Pradesh. During my long drawn posting at the cancer ward, I was
inspired to
dedicate my life to the challenge of cancer.