Women’s History Month: Dr. Khan’s spotlight!
Many thanks to the Loudoun Chambers of Commerce for giving Mosaic Theory MD’s Dr. Anusha Khan a shout out and a spotlight in this year’s Women’s History Month on their newsletter & blog. Check out Dr. Khan’s answers to some questions:
Where were born and raised and, if it was someplace else, when and why did you come to Loudoun?
I was born and raised in Herndon, VA. My entire adult life other than my medical training has been spent in northern Virginia. When I finished my training, there was no other place I would choose to live other than Loudoun County. Simply put, Loudoun is the best. We have the best of both worlds: city and country life. I can visit national museums or cultural centers, escape to wine country and maybe do a little antiquing on the way or shop in any number of boutiques or major retailers all in one weekend. All of this in a thriving economic community that has cultural diversity, top-rated schools and is rooted in community care. You just can’t beat Loudoun!
Click this link to read the entire piece on Loudoun Chamber’s website
How did you get into this line of work?
Medicine was a very deliberate choice for me. It seemed like a natural extension of who I am. I feel most like myself when I am helping others fix problems or teaching them so they can later help themselves. Being a doctor, I get to do both. When I started working in healthcare and found that outside forces of big pharma, insurance and corporatized hospital organizations were all trying to interfere with the patient-doctor relationship was when I decided to be a disruptor. I started my own private practice that is no longer dependent on insurance or tied to an organization that restricts the care that I give my patients. Now, I am only beholden to my patient as it should be.
Have you had any special mentors or inspirations that guided your career?
So many people have inspired me along the way. It definitely takes a village of mentors/supporters to make a doctor. But the most inspiring have been women, who like myself overcame humble beginnings to be more than what society said they could be. People like Dr Lorimer who became a surgeon over 50 years ago and went on to head the Department of Surgery all while raising 5 kids. Or Dr Marhatta who helped me see that primary care is what has the most impact on our patients and communities. Closer to home is my business partner, Dr Kochendoerfer who I started Mosaic Theory MD with. I met her at a point in my life I didn’t think the dream of becoming a doctor would happen. She helped me see that it is never too late to be all that you are created to be. Truly, I have been blessed with exposure to multiple phenomenal women who have guided me into becoming the woman and physician I am today.
What is the best part of your job and why?
The patients of course! I get the privilege of being trusted with the most intimate details of their life and the most valuable asset they have…their health. One of my favorite aspects of this is when I see them use what I shared with them to make changes in their health. I can’t begin to explain the joy that just springs up in you when you see someone take a broken area in their life and mend it. Sometimes we use medicine or sometimes it takes just sheer will to change old habits. But being there to watch someone reap the harvest of their hard work is priceless.
What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
Like the Nike slogan says, women so often “just do it”. No glory. No parade. The bedrock of our society is all the day to day things women do from getting the kids off to school, a meal on the table, running a small business or helping put a man on the moon. Their work too often goes unrecognized or unappreciated. Women’s History Month is that reminder to take notice, look back and give that nod of respect and gratitude for all those pioneering women who paved the road for me. It is that pause we all should take to re-assess and make sure we are making the world a better, more equitable place for our future sisters.
High-value medical care starts with trusting and long-lasting relationships between doctors and patients. At Mosaic Theory MD I strive to achieve that everyday!
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