Page 12 - 2022-November-December-Journal-Final

Sarmistha Bhaduri Hauger, MD

2022 TCMS Physician of the Year

By Leanne DuPay

Dr. Hauger and her husband, David Dr. Hauger and family
I
“ was running out from elementary She says, “An infectious disease specialties—at the forefront of course
school picking up my daughter, and practitioner is often a resource for is infectious disease. Why did Dr. Hauger
the school buses were all queued up credible information about infections select this specialty? “Kids get all sorts of
waiting to leave. All of a sudden, I heard and their effect on the community. infections, so it’s a great specialty. Never
honking, and saw headlights blinking! We must research and present credible a dull moment. But, if I could—I would
‘Dr. Hauger!’ Out jumps a bus driver, information—to dispel misinformation.” love to explore many specialties in my
runs up to me, grabs me in a big hug, So, during the pandemic, when lifetime. There is so much more to learn!”
and runs back into the bus! Turns out, information was dire, Dr. Hauger found Dr. Hauger is the child of an
he was the father of a child I had treated herself involved in countless webinars immigrant, Indian family. Her father
for a serious illness a month before!” says and presentations addressing every aspect trained to be an engineer and was part
Dr. Sarmistha Hauger. “That’s why I love of the virus, from epidemiology and of a 1950s “brain drain” out of India.
Austin, it has a small town feel and you vaccines, to the controversial safety Educated citizens were leaving in droves
get to see and feel the consequences of protocols. Her expertise was utilized for opportunities all over the world.
your work. I have practiced here for 26 by the Texas Pediatric Society, Texas Her father was offered grad school
years; I still love it!” DSHS, the Travis County Health opportunities in Russia, England, and

Dr. Hauger is a pediatric infectious Authority, as well as state legislators. One the US. He was told by his professors,
disease specialist at Dell Children’s of her colleagues summarized her role, “Don’t go to Russia—that society will

Medical Center, treating kids with every “Dr. Hauger worked tirelessly during not succeed. Don’t go to England—we

type of infection—and over the past the COVID pandemic for the pediatric have issues with them. Go to the United
couple of years, this includes COVID. patients of Central Texas. The COVID States—that’s where the future is.” He
Her role during the pandemic was much pandemic took a toll on all physicians left his wife and 9-month-old daughter
more than treating patients, however. but her role as the go-to infectious in India and came to the US. Not until
disease expert in pediatric ID was Dr. Hauger was four years old, were she
overwhelming. She took on the challenge and her mother able to join him. “I was
with grace and fortitude. She educated her always told to get as much education as
colleagues, patients, and the community.” I could,” Hauger says. “My parents had
Like HIV did in the 1980s, COVID very high expectations of me. Luckily,
has caused a paradigm shift for how I loved science and excelled academically.”
we live and work. “It has changed the Turns out, Sarmistha Hauger was
world forever. Look at how you and I somewhat of a savant—graduating from

are meeting—virtually. That is here to high school at the ripe old age of 16.
stay,” she says. “These diseases cause College was easy for her as well, and she
chaos and force societal changes. Think entered medical school at age 18, attending
of all that has changed in the wakes of Loyola University Chicago Stritch School
various diseases.” of Medicine. “I combined my love
Obviously, the COVID pandemic of science and my love of people and

Dr. Hauger’s son, Alex and his daughter, Pearl shone a spotlight on several medical decided to become a physician,” she

12 2022 November • December TCMS