- Women's Health
- Career Transition
- Obstetrics
- Physician Leadership
- Work-Life Balance
- OB Hospitalist
- Career Inspiration
- Private Practice
- OBGYN
- Mentorship
What does it take to design a career in medicine that truly fits your values, your life, and your goals? On this episode of BackTable Women’s Health, Dr. Nicole Faulkner welcomes Dr. Chitra Akileswaran, board-certified OBGYN and founder of Avaiyar Private Care, for a candid discussion on building a career that breaks the mold. Dr. Akileswaran traces her path from global public health and a joint MD-MBA to leadership in county health systems, digital health startups, and now direct pay practice, sharing how each chapter reflected her changing priorities.
Timestamps
Resources
- Avaiyar Private Care, Dr. Akileswaran's direct pay OBGYN practice
- Cleo, the digital health company she co-founded
- ACOG Well-Being and Physician Support Resources
- AMA Physician Practice Benchmark Survey: Smaller Share of Doctors in Private Practice Than Ever Before
- MGMA Provider Compensation Data Reports, the benchmarking source referenced on air
- Dr. Chitra Akileswaran, UCSF OBGYN Residency Alumni Profile
More about this episode
The conversation explores lessons learned leading hundreds of physicians, overhauling compensation and benefits, and navigating unionization and administrative change. Dr. Akileswaran speaks openly about personal milestones, including pregnancy loss, and how it drove her to redesign her life and practice. Topics include mentorship, apprenticeship, work-life integration, and the practical steps and mindset shifts needed to carve out a fulfilling, sustainable career in medicine.