Page 28 - EP VOLUME 26
P. 28
A good example is a patient I had seen.
He looked healthy, but there was
something unusual in his lab results.
These infectious diseases were infection is resolved, the patient’s Showed high for Hepatitis A. So, I
particular to India and the lives improved, and I wanted to
surrounding region, and Dr. make that kind of difference in ordered more tests and checked for
HIV, which was my instinct. And he
Sastry says each part of the world someone’s life. I also traveled a lot was positive! To think, they were about
has its own native climate and growing up and saw to release him when this instance arose.
infectious disease issues. In South multiple countries. Wherever I
America it was Zika, but in Africa went I met someone who had Another example was when Hanta
virus was discovered in an area of
the Ebola Virus and HIV present fever, skin rashes or horrible America. There was a Native American
the most significant difficulties. In diseases and I wanted to look into man there, a very popular runner, who
the Four Corners region of the US them further. I knew deep down
(Southwest) the Hanta virus that medicine could help remove took ill and then his family got sick too.
Sadly, they all died. When the CDC
became a threat. In other parts of these problems. came to investigate, they talked with the
the US, Hepatitis B and C were tribal elders. These men were not
widespread, although that has What is the most challenging part
changed recently. of your work? microbial scientists; they spoke from
their instinct. They said it was the rain.
In fact, heavy rains had just come
“I was always fascinated by the I don’t want to get preachy about through that area, and small rodents
exposure and presence of financial or utilization rules, or
infections around the world, and accessibility to the right came out after the rain. The virus came
from their saliva, urine and stool which
the extent of damage that they can antibiotics. Or even things some flowed with the water.
do. Realizing they can be hospitals do to limit the growth of
prevented, treated and even cured private practices. What I will say is
is a big part of what drives me. “ that my biggest challenge is this: Who were some of your greatest
influences and what did they teach
when I recognize significant you?
Learn more about what enthuses illness and know I can help, but I
Dr. Sastry as a physician, don’t have the privilege to do
businesswoman, health advocate anything about it. I don’t see Well of course, the first ones were my
parents. My father grew up in a very
and individual, by reading her patients as a number. I was not rural part of India and worked hard,
interview below. born or raised that way! I want to both at his education and business
make diagnoses, control illness
--Q & A— and help people improve—and interests. He got an MBA and started his
own catering business.
this is what makes me a good
What first inspired you to enter doctor. He also held a managerial position with
the medicine field, and specialize Contact Info:
in Infectious Disease? Instinct vs. expertise: which is the Singer sewing machine company
and brought products in from around
more important and why? the world that would be made into high
The Alchemist Professors
It starts with my personal assets: I end clothes (for senators and the like.)
Vancouver BC V7R2P6
have an incredible amount of These are such wonderful Contact: Dr. Sydney Scott
compassion. I also have a questions! Honestly, for a doctor, My mother earned a degree in Physics,
which was pretty rare for a woman in
Phone: (604) 916-8623
profound understanding of it’s instinct. We are always the 1940’s. My brother became a
Email:
microbiomes--in the world and in thinking and analyzing the surgeon and assisted on one of the
the body, and the interaction symptoms and we act on our sydney@thealchemistprofessors.com
Website:
between the two that causes instincts when we make earliest heart transplants. They all
taught me my values, and how to aspire
infectious disease. When I first diagnoses. When I see a patient, to high goals and work for what I
www.thealchemistprofessors.com
became aware of the number of my instinct tells me things, and wanted.
infections in the latter half of the they get in my head. Without
last century (such as leprosy, TB instinct, you will never figure After that, there were many physicians
and smallpox), and all the deaths things out. The experience part who inspired me. The first ones who
they had caused, I wanted to be comes after, when you do the looked at diseases like Leprosy and
part of preventing and reversing reading and the research and
them. I realized that once an come up with a plan. solved problems. I was very gifted to
EP MAGAZINE | 27
