“I was born and raised in Nallajerla, a small village in West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh. My father worked as a farmer, and my mother managed the household. While they didn’t have formal education, they placed a strong value on learning and did everything they could to ensure my siblings and I had good opportunities. Their unwavering support, along with the encouragement from my sister and my mom’s sister, has always been a source of strength for me.

Growing up in a small village, I saw the challenges of living in a region with no proper healthcare facilities. People had to travel long distances to receive even basic medical care, which was both expensive and tiring. This experience had a big impact on me and shaped my decision to pursue medicine. I wanted to make a difference, especially in rural areas like mine, where access to healthcare was limited.

I was always good at science, and in my 10th grade, I scored 100/100 in math, which earned me a scholarship from Sri Chaitanya Educational Institutions for the MPC program. However, my focus remained on medicine, and I chose the BIPC program instead. After completing my intermediate studies, I prepared for the EAMCET and secured a rank of 323, which earned me a seat at Andhra Medical College (AMC), one of the oldest and most respected medical colleges in the country.

At AMC, I was surrounded by brilliant professors and had access to a vast range of resources. Despite limited internet access, our professors often emphasized that true learning happens in the wards and from real-world patient interactions. This hands-on experience in the wards helped me realize how much I could learn directly from patients, far beyond what textbooks could teach.

Initially unsure about which speciality to pursue, I developed a strong interest in orthopaedics after working with trauma patients during my internship and early postgraduate years. I was inspired by the work of Dr. Vyaghreswarudu, the first orthopaedic professor at AMC. His innovative surgeries and the respect he commanded in the field encouraged me to pursue a similar path.

During my MBBS years, I volunteered with several organizations like the Ramakrishna Mission and the Eye Foundation. I even participated in several healthcare camps in rural areas like Srikakulam and Vizianagaram. This experience gave me a deeper understanding of the struggles people face in accessing even basic healthcare and solidified my commitment to helping underserved communities.

In 2020, I joined Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Hyderabad for my MS in Orthopaedics. This was also the time when the COVID-19 pandemic began. As an orthopaedic resident, I never imagined I would work in COVID wards, but the situation required it. During the second wave, I found myself managing long hours, taking calls from my village, and working to arrange hospital beds and ventilators. It was a tough period, but it helped me develop crucial skills in time management, teamwork, and staying calm under pressure.

Residency has been demanding but immensely rewarding. My research interests focus on arthroplasty and arthroscopy, with a particular emphasis on improving recovery for patients with joint problems.

For my thesis, I concentrated on arthroscopic ACL reconstruction, a procedure often used to treat ligament injuries, particularly in athletes. ACL injuries can severely affect mobility, and my research explored minimally invasive techniques to speed up recovery. By assisting in surgeries, I gained practical experience, which deepened my understanding of knee anatomy and helped refine my surgical skills. I also participated in the Gold Medal paper presentation for postgraduates at Oasiscon 2022 held in Kurnool. This practical exposure further cemented my passion for orthopaedics and my commitment to restoring mobility to patients.

Throughout my residency, I’ve been fortunate to receive invaluable guidance from my Orthopaedic faculty, at Apollo Medical College. Their guidance has played a key role in shaping my journey, and I’m deeply grateful to have learned from someone with such expertise and dedication.

Now, as a senior resident at Apollo, Jubilee Hills, I continue to focus on honing my knowledge in Orthopaedics, particularly in arthroplasty and arthroscopy. I hope to contribute to the field by teaching, conducting research, and volunteering in rural areas, where healthcare access remains limited. Through my experiences, I’ve learned that medicine is not just about technical skills but also about empathy, communication, and building relationships with patients.

Medicine has been more than just a career for me-it’s a mission to improve healthcare access and give back to the community that has supported me throughout my journey. I look forward to continuing my work in orthopaedics, making a difference in people’s lives, and helping to bridge the gap in healthcare access for underserved populations.”

• Dr. Satya Gopal Maddipati, MS. Orthopaedics