Bringing ideas in medicine to life can be very complex so we are always looking for ways to change things for the better.”
Dr. Satyabrata Chatterjee is a cardiologist and vascular specialist who obtained his medical degree in India. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio obtained a fellowship in Cardiovascular Medicine at Los Angeles. His outstanding credentials include licenses in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Medicine, and Diagnostic Vascular Ultrasound. He completed Meaningful Use Stage 1 and 2 making him qualified and compliant to use electronic health record systems as required by law.
Where did the idea for Cardiology and Vascular Specialization come from?
I decided to enter into the field of Cardiology when I was studying at USC. While doing my Fellowship Program in 1988 my mentor Dr. Rahimtoola at the University of Southern California advised me to start a private practice at an institution for a year and then come back to the University for academic appointment. I came to London Kentucky for a year – but never went back . I have never regretted my decision. At the end of the day, life is made worthwhile by the people around you and the people in Ky are just the nicest people that I have met.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
My typical day is spent taking care of patients and filling out paperwork. The life of a doctor! In our line of business we make money by service to suffering patients. If the service helps in relief of symptoms it results in patient satisfaction. Thats an intangible return on investment for physicians. In addition , there is financial reimbursement which comes from the Insurance company.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Bringing ideas in medicine to life can be very complex so we are always looking for ways to change things for the better but it can be difficult as the reimbursement system has changed significantly over the years and not to our benefit.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The continious change and innovation from those in Silicon Valley excite doctors and scare some of the older practitoners.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
Habits that make us successful take me back to my first patient. This gentleman was admitted to the little rural hospital with chest pain and needed a heart cath. I was new in London, Kentucky and since the procedure was new and would be the first to be done here, it was going to be covered by newspapers. I was very excited . However, during the night, the patient left the hospital without telling anybody. All the newspapers came, but there was no patient . I subsequently met the same patient about 18 years later. He was doing well but needed other treatments. He underwent all the procedures as directed and the treatments necessary. It’s the stories like this that excite me along with the many positive reviews and praise I continue to receive from patients.
What advice would you give your younger self?
The advice I would give my younger self is “word of mouth advertisement” really works. .
If one gives. full service to a patient so that he/she is satisfied, he/she will talk to their relatives and friends and that generally double or triples my business .
Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on?
Over and over I think about if it makes sense to continue private practice versus joining a hospital as their employee.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
What I do over and over that makes me successful is my concern about the health of my patients.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business? Please explain how.
Growing my practice has come from hard work and satisfying stories like this one that my 103 year old patient came to my office thank me for all that I had done for him over the last 25 years . He told me that it meant as much to him as the service medals that he got during the war. I should feel proud about it.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
We all make mistakes in life and nobody is fallible. Also remember you can’t believe everything you read as there are two sides to the story.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
One business idea I would give is to stay out of working in medicine unless you are an innovator in Silicon Valley.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
The best $100 I spent recently was on books. Education is a great way to grow your wealth of knowledge.
What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Echocardiographic ultrasound machine, that I use for a lot of vascular work. Since the results are digital
they download the results directly to my computer .
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
The sayings of Sri Ramakrishna who lived. In the nineteenth century. This book inspires me day and night to do what is right.
What is your favorite quote?
“Tomorrow is a new day”.
Connect:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/public/Satyabrata-Chatterjee
Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.