Today we’d like to introduce you to Rukmini Rednam.
Rukmini, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I have always been a very goal oriented person and from the time I was young, I felt inspired by my grandmother who was a pediatrician to go into medicine. So, I have spent my time in school really focused on making that happen. I was privileged to become a Conley Scholar earning my medical school entrance from high school at the University of Missouri-Columbia. I spent my four colleges and four medical school years at Mizzou then traveled to Lexington, KY where I completed my integrated plastic surgery residency. After my six years in Kentucky, I spent an additional year in Florida refining my skills in an aesthetic fellowship. After completing 15 years of post-high school education, I moved to Houston where I started practicing and have been loving it ever since!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Deciding to go into surgery, I knew I had challenges ahead. Though more and more women are choosing a surgical career, it is still very much a man’s world and learning how to navigate it was and can still be challenging. During my training, I struggled a lot with balancing being assertive and being taken seriously as a surgeon at 5 feet with a quiet voice, but I pushed myself to be heard and to be an advocate for both myself and my patients. The best advice I could give to a young woman hoping to go into a competitive career is to stay true to yourself. Challenges will always be there but as long as you do not lose sight of who you are and keep your eyes on your goal you can achieve anything.
Please tell us about My Houston Surgeons.
I have built a broad plastic surgery practice within my group practice where I offer facial, breast and body plastic surgery procedures.
While I offer everything from hair transplantation to breast augmentations. I specialize in breast reconstruction (especially microsurgical DIEP flap), skin removal after massive weight loss, mommy makeovers and transgender top surgery. I love what I do and I feel that shows through my work. I tell all my patients that once I take care of them, they become a part of my work family, and I truly mean it. My staff and I take care of each of my patients like we would a member of our families and I truly feel that is what sets us apart from others.
Do you think there are structural or other barriers impeding the emergence of more female leaders?
There are a number of barriers to female leadership in my field but one of the biggest I’ve encountered is the stereotypical idea of what an excellent surgeon is: male, aggressive, work focused, educator and unwavering confidence. This sterotype is not hard to imagine. It’s everywhere. On tv, movies, books and unfortunately, in many people’s minds both in and out of the surgical field. While many women surgeons possess these qualities deemed desirable in a leader in the surgical world, at the end of the day, just being a woman requires her to be even more to prove that she is just as good and an equal.
Contact Info:
- Address: 9303 Pinecroft Ste 390, Conroe, TX 77384 (Woodlands office)
9230 Katy Freeway, Ste 600 Houston, TX 77055 (Spring Valley office) - Website: www.drrukminirednam.com
- Phone: 713-791-0700
- Email: drrednam@myhoustonsurgeons.com
- Instagram: @dr.rednam
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dr.rednam/
- Twitter: @dr.rednam
Image Credit:
dr. rednam and various staff of dr. rednam’s
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