Did you know that Dr Pervez Ahmed, CEO, Max Healthcare Institute Limited, is an ardent reader of comparative religion and also loves adventurous sports? We give you a glimpse of his private world outside meetings and boardrooms.
He is a man who follows his heart. Piggybacking the success of his politician father (former President Late Fakhruddin Ali), he could have been a politician, but he chose to follow the profession of his grandfather, who was a medical professional during the British times.
Dr Pervez Ahmed, CEO, Max Healthcare Institute Limited, grew up in Shillong, nourishing the dream of becoming a doctor. A firm believer in ‘you will get what you want, provided you are ready to work for it!’, he left Shillong in 1964 for pre medical at Hindu College, Delhi University. He later joined AFMC, Pune for MBBS. He came to Delhi and joined Safdarjung Hospital. In 1972, he went to the US (SUNY Downstate and New York University) and finished his PG and fellowship in cardiology.
He wanted to come back to India after his studies, but decided to stay back on his father’s insistence that he garner practical experience. In the US, he was physician In-charge of ICU and Director of Critical Care Medicine at Brookdale Hospital Medical Centre, New York. He returned to India in 2005 and served as a Board Member of Max Healthcare from 2005 to 2007 and then in the capacity of Executive Medical Director from 2007-2009, before being designated as the CEO of Max Healthcare in January 2009.
So why did he decide to come back? “The desire was to impart the knowledge acquired in the other part of the world here,” he explains. As a CEO of one of the most popular names in healthcare, he wants to bring about a cultural change which starts by changing the mindset of people. He wants to reinforce teamwork, transparency, accountability and patient-centric approach. He affirms, “Today, healthcare should be safe, timely, effective and affordable and designed around a patient keeping these parameters in mind.”
So how important is money? “If money was important for me, I wouldn’t have returned to India,” he says. Besides, his efficiency and skills, he is also blessed with values like perseverance, hard work and integrity. Self-admittedly a very emotional person, he is known to be approachable at work— be it for professional or personal. He is known to be able to handle very crucial matters with utmost calmness.
This quality may be attributed to his deep inclination towards comparative religion (a field of religious study that analyses the similarities and differences of themes, myths, rituals and concepts among the world’s religions) and his deep faith in God. A self-confessed God-fearing person, he believes in giving his best to life and leaving the results to God. He believes that if one takes care of one’s body and soul, there can be a better home and in turn a better society.
Because he is passionate about studying comparative religion, he reads books on Sufism, Islam and other religions and compares them. Right now, he is reading ancient Hindu culture. “Forget the politics, the two religions (Hinduism and Islam) are quite similar,” says the liberal administrator. He also appreciates God for giving him a very comfortable childhood and supportive parents.
A complete family man, his family is the centre of his life. He is blessed with two daughters. The elder one, Talaiya Ahmed (33) is an IT professional but runs her own business and the younger one, Asema Ahmed Amanat (30) is a lawyer and runs a law firm. Both are settled in the US. Besides studying comparative religion, it’s spending time with his grandchildren that gives him immense happiness. “One of the happiest moments in my life was when my grandson was born,” he confides with a sparkle in his eyes.
This sensitive person possesses an adventure streak too! He enjoys outdoor sports like golf, squash, tennis, fishing, hunting, shooting, trekking, hiking, and traveling. Once he retires, he wants to travel more with his family. His fathers’ political streak may still show up sometime. He may follow the footsteps of his father and become a politician once he retires. For now, we make him share some of his life memories with us.
The Mixed Bag
Your best prize in life so far
My children.
Your first day in school
My school was in Shillong. My first day was terrible. I joined school at the age of two and a half. I had a miserable day.
Your first ambition
To become a doctor.
Your first day at work
At Safdarjung Hospital, I was getting a salary of Rs 150 per month, which was quite decent at that time.
The first time you fired somebody
I have always fired people on issues of integrity. I have zero tolerance for any kind of dishonesty.
The toughest decision you have taken
To return back to India. There were so many aspects to it. I was leaving behind my children, my two grand children and I didn’t know exactly how things would turn out here.
The best memory of your childhood
Quite a materialistic one! The first time when my father went to the US as an UN delegate (in 1950’s), I gave him a whole list of the comic books. When he arrived back, he had all of them. I am fortunate to have a good childhood.
Your happiest moment
I have a very strong and supportive wife. When I first met her, she was an intern at Safdarjung Hospital. The fact that I still remember what was she wearing then, it must have been a happy moment.
Your funniest moment
Quite a few. It is very difficult to recall the one which stands out.
Three things you can not do without
My wife, freedom of choice and opportunity for personal growth. I can live without all material things.
One trait that you would like to change about yourself
I don’t hide my emotions. I always cry while watching a Hindi film (smiles).
Your first vehicle
With my own money, Dodge Dart (1973) was the first vehicle that I purchased.
One parental advice that you remember
Study-this advice has always helped me.
Sonal Vij
source: http://www.healthcare.financialexpress.com / Financial Express / Express Healthcare / Home> Weekend> Article> Time Out / by Sonal Vij / April 2009