Posts by manishchandra

manishchandra

Oct 25, 2011

Graduate / 'being Medical Director of a Cancer Hospital' - Review on essay for Executive MBA [2]

Hi,
I am a practicing Oncologist and would like too persue Executive MBA from ISB, India
The topic appears to be very straight forward and I am not sure how to make it flow. I have prepared a draft. review and comments are welcome.

TOPIC: The programme requires a lot of understanding of management theory and mathemetical concepts. It also incorporates examinations and other forms of assessment?
After many years of being away from formal studies, how do you plan to adjust to an extremely rigorous academic life and how can ISB be assured of you successfully completing the programme? (500 words)

Essay:In 1999 I did my post graduation in Radiation Oncology, which is a sub-speciality of oncology dealing with Ionizing radiation in treatment of cancer. Radiation physics and its interaction with matter consist of one third of the syllabus. Radiation dose to the patient is calculated by mathematical formulas. This is not the thing that I learned to get the degree but it is used on a day-to-day basis for treatment time and dose calculations till date.

I have to keep myself updated for recent changes in the field of oncology which includes detailed study of medical journals and recent editions of textbooks. This is the routine I am following for last so many years. If I try to look back, I feel school was the easiest. Apart from Medical books I read about my hobbies like Aqua-gardening and Photography. So for me studying is not an issue, all I need to do is replace the books.

While growing up in a small town like Bareilly where most of the students were studying to get good grades, a small bunch of us were never bothered about grades. I studied because I like studying, so examination never scared me. Till date I can't understand why to be scared of examination or assessment, if you know the subject you are bound to do well. If you don't know about something be clear and accept it rather and giving a wrong answer. "You are never expected to know everything, what is expected from you is logical approach at the time of crisis", I believe in this line and have followed it all throughout. I am also not disturbed by a wrong decision, indecisiveness bothers me more.

As an Administrator and Oncologist I have to apply my management skill and medical art throughout the day and I am doing this for about 10 years. Unlike my medical skills, my management skills not gained from a formal training. They are more from instinct, experience and logical thinking. I am sure learning new thing will be difficult but at the same time it would be interesting to know new things. This will also let me know that the approach I was using in my day to day management has a proper theory and mathematical basis to it.

I have been an active and enthusiastic person till date. Reading comes naturally to me and after being in this profession for about 20 years with 10 years of formal training period, it has become a second nature.

Last decade saw me being Medical Director of a Cancer Hospital, Clinical Radiation Oncologist, Clinical Medical Oncologist, Enthusiastic Aqua-gardening and Photography Hobbyist. Now at this stage of my career when I have a cushy life with no EMIs, I want to successfully complete this course. I have no pressure from my parents/spouse/peer to enroll for this course, this is my choice and this is what I want to do. There is only one way now and that is "complete the course successfully"

Manish Chandra

manishchandra

Oct 25, 2011

Writing Feedback / Do you think it is the good idea for a student to have a part time job? [4]

Hi!
This essay is not going anywhere, Iguess in these type of essay you have to be on one side. Either you agree or disagree with the concept of part time job.

What is the help that you need in this essay and your word limit? I think anyone would need these information to make any further comment

bye

Manish Chandra

manishchandra

Oct 25, 2011

Graduate / 'my promise of starting the hospital' - most significant achievement to date? [8]

dumi
Dear De Silva, Thanks a lot for the help. I am sending the edited version and the main problem with the trustees were their lack of interest in the project, no one wanted to take the ownership of the project and take it forward, they did not trust each other, infighting, ego clashes and promoting their venders. I am not sure how to put this in essay. I know we should describle the problem also but I don't want to have to much negativity in the essay. What is your suggestion about it. Should I mention it in revised form or ignore it.

I completed my Post-graduation in Radiation Oncology in 1999 when this field was mostly limited to state run institutions and had only about 15 centers in Private sector. I wanted to start my independent career in the private sector which had latest equipment.

Within a year of my Post-graduation I came to know about this Trust, which struggled with its project of 150 bedded Cancer Hospital for the last 5 years.

I approached them with my proposal that promised of getting the project on board within a year and they accepted it. My first step was to gather information about the failure of the project by holding discussions with the relevant staff. I also studied the documents and relied more on them because of possible biasness of the staff contents. But I did not discard or ignore their opinions. I had my review report in 10 days in which I comprehensively discussed and highlighted the key issues for the failure together with an action plan for resuming the project.

Although funds were not a major issue, the 17 trustees on the board, had differing business interests and views on the project. However, finally they agreed to my road map of converting 150 beds to 35 beds based on population serviced v/s incidence of cancer with reduced initial investments. On my request several sub-committees, with no more than 3 trustees, were formed and they were empowered to make decisions independently. Their decisions were reviewed on monthly basis with the intention of expediting the process and making them accountable.

I got some strong opposition about my suggestion of reducing the bed number. As per them 150 bed was a suggestion of senior cancer specialist of a premier institute and they have done the construction accordingly. I handled the situation by facts and figure, investment and option of second phase. During presentation I judged their strong financial knowledge/banking background and added an extempore financial plan to have a recurring deposit of 40,000/- per month from the revenue generated. This would be used to procure Radioactive Isotope used in Radiation machines at regular intervals, which is very expensive. This suggestion was taken very positively by them and they asked me relevant questions about Radiation source procurement and handling.

I later made an expert advisor committee for equipment selection in various specialties and prepared a final list of equipments. I got the necessary licenses and permission required. I then made a team of qualified and trained Specialist Doctors to make a handpicked team. There were frustrating delays in placing the purchase orders, bias for selection of non technical staffs etc. In-spite of all this I could almost keep my promise of starting the hospital within a year. I joined on 30th Oct. 2001 and hospital was inaugurated on 19th Nov. 2002.

This entire experience gave me insight to many things in life and I became more organized, patient, confident and happier. Though I have moved on in life but this experience taught me to handle difficult situation in professional as well as personal life.

manishchandra

Oct 24, 2011

Graduate / 'my promise of starting the hospital' - most significant achievement to date? [8]

dumi
Thanks De Silva for your suggestions. I have made the changes accordingly and regarding "here I have a problem of understanding whose opinions. Are they the opinions of the staff?" yes it is opinion of staff. I relied more on documentation rather than their opinion as it could be biased. Your sugesstions are very valid and helpful. Iwould appreciate if you could review my complete essay. Word limit is 500. The complete essay is 530 words now.

I approached them with a proposal that promised of getting the project on board within a year and they offered me the the job. My first step was to meet and discuss with the relevant staff to gather information with regard to reasons for failure of project even after completion of building. I also got to know about the problems through the documents. I relied more on documentation because the staff contents could have been biased. But I never discarded or ignored their opinions. I was ready with my review report in 10 days in which I comprehensively highlighted the key issues that caused the delay together with an action plan for restarting the whole project.

Funds were not a major issue but the stakeholders were. The board consisted of 17 trustees who had differing business interests and views on the project. I presented my road map to them, starting with a suggestion to convert 150 beds to 35 beds based on population serviced v/s incidence of cancer and reducing initial investments. I suggested making of various sub-committees with not more than 3 trustees. They should have independent decision making power and their decisions would be reviewed in monthly with intension of hastening the process but keeping accountability. I got some strong opposition about my suggestion of reducing the bed number. As per them 150 bed was a suggestion of senior cancer specialist of a premier institute and they have done the construction accordingly. I handled the situation by facts and figure, investment and option of second phase. During presentation I judged their strong financial knowledge/banking background and added an extempore financial plan to have a recurring deposit of 40,000/- per month from the revenue generated. This would be used to procure Radioactive Isotope used in Radiation machines at regular intervals, which is very expensive. This suggestion was taken very positively by them and they asked me relevant questions about Radiation source procurement and handling.

I later made an expert advisor committee for equipment selection in various specialties and prepared a final list of equipments. I got the necessary licenses and permission required. I then made a team of qualified and trained Specialist Doctors to make a handpicked team. There were frustrating delays in placing the purchase orders, bias for selection of non technical staffs etc. In-spite of all this I could almost keep my promise of starting the hospital within a year. I joined on 30th Oct. 2001 and hospital was inaugurated on 19th Nov. 2002.

This entire experience gave me insight to many things in life and I became more organized, patient, confident and happier. Though I have moved on in life but this experience taught me to handle difficult situation in professional as well as personal life.

manishchandra

Oct 24, 2011

Graduate / 'my promise of starting the hospital' - most significant achievement to date? [8]

dumi
Thanks De Silva, I have made changes as per your suggestions. Will you please go through it again and give your comment

I completed my Post-graduation in Radiation Oncology in 1999 when this field was mostly limited to state run institutions and had only about 15 centers in Private sector. I wanted to start my independent career in the private sector which had latest equipments.

Within a year of my Post-graduation I came to know about this Trust, which struggled with its project of 150 bedded Cancer Hospital for the last 5 years.

I contacted them with a promise to start the hospital within a year they accepted my offer. After joining I met other staffs (a clerk & a watchman) to analyse the reason behind its failure to take off in-spite of completion of building. I got to know about the problems through the documents and staffs. I relied more on documents as their versions could be biased but never discarded or ignored their opinions. I was ready with my key points in 10 days about the delay. Funds were not a major issue but ownership was. The board consisted of 17 trustees who had various business interests and had more than 17 views to start it. My first step was to call a board meeting to discuss them about my approach.

I presented my road map to them, starting with a suggestion to convert 150 beds to 35 beds based on population serviced v/s incidence of cancer and reducing initial investments. I suggested making of various sub-committees with not more than 3 trustees. They should have independent decision making power and their decisions would be reviewed in monthly with intension of hastening the process but keeping accountability. I got some strong opposition about my suggestion of reducing the bed number. As per them 150 bed was a suggestion of senior cancer specialist of a premier institute and they have done the construction accordingly. I handled the situation by facts and figure, investment and option of second phase. During presentation I judged their strong financial knowledge/banking background and added an extempore financial plan of recurring deposit of 40,000/- per month from the revenue generated. This would be used to procure Radioactive Isotope used in Radiation machines at regular intervals, which is very expensive. This suggestion was taken very positively by them and they asked me relevant questions about Radiation source procurement and handling.

I later made an expert advisor committee for equipment selection in various specialties and prepared a final list of equipments. I got the necessary licenses and permission required. I then made a team of qualified and trained Specialist Doctors to make a handpicked team. There were frustrating delays in placing the purchase orders, bias for selection of non technical staffs etc. In-spite of all this I could almost keep my promise of starting the hospital within a year. I joined on 30th Oct. 2001 and hospital was inaugurated on 19th Nov. 2002.

This entire experience gave me insight to many things in life and I became more organized, patient, confident and happier. Though I have moved on in life but this experience taught me to handle difficult situation in professional as well as personal life.

manishchandra

Oct 23, 2011

Scholarship / My future career plans in biochemistry- scholarship prompt [4]

It is difficult to know what you want to do for the rest of your life when you are only 17 years old. ~~, and even more difficult to put it into writing~~ . ~~Growing up~~ I was never really sure what I wanted to be, but I always knew that it was going to be something in science. In 8th grade I really enjoyed learning and studying ~~in love with~~ biology, mainly the human body ~~aspect~~ and genetics. For a couple of years I thought that I wanted to be a genetic counselor or a geneticist. Then in 10th and 11th grade I fell in love with chemistry. It put me in quite a dilemma for a little bit. What was I going to do and what was I going to study, chemistry or biology?

When I began my search for colleges I realized ~~that somebody had already solved this problem for me though~~ the what I can do with major in biochemistry. I can go to medical school or into a graduate program for chemistry or biology. Then it would be possible for me to ~~get a job working~~ work in a lab, ~~or doing~~ do research, ~~I could be a professor and~~ teach, or ~~even~~ become a doctor.

Right now I see myself going to college to obtain a 4 year degree in biochemistry. After I complete my Bachelors degree in Biochemistry I would like to do something different and unique.

Please try rewriting these two paragraph with more focussed approach than a wandering approach. Because in initial paragraphs you are not sure what you want to do but in this paragraph you appear to be focussed on deing a doctor and in surgical speciality.

These plans will not happen overnight and they may never happen at all. This is what I want for my future right now. I know that things change I need to be adaptable. I may decide that my calling isn't biochemistry but economics or when I am teaching in third world countries I may realize that I want to become a teacher not a doctor or after medical school and residency I could realize that I want to join doctors without borders and provide medical care to regions with people in need. My future career plans may change completely but I am okay with that as long as I am doing something I love and care about.

manishchandra

Oct 23, 2011

Graduate / 'my promise of starting the hospital' - most significant achievement to date? [8]

I am an Oncologist and Planning to do a Exec. MBA from ISB Hydrabad, India
Please give your review on this essay. word limit 500

I completed my Postgraduation in Radiation Oncology in 1999 and in those times Radiation Oncology was mainly in government run institutions. There were about 15 centers in Private sector. I wanted to start my independent career in Private sector with latest equipments.

Within a year of my Post-graduation I came to know about this Trust unsuccessfully trying to start a 150 bedded Cancer Hospital for last 5 years.
I contacted then with a promise to start hospital they accepted my offer. After joining I met other staffs (a clerk & a watchman) to analyse the reason behind its failure to take off in-spite of completion of building. I got to know about the problems through the documents and staffs. I relied more on documents as their versions could be biased but never discarded or ignored their opinions. I was ready with my key points in 10 days about the delay. Funds were not a major issue but ownership was. The board consisted of 17 trustees who had various business interests and had more than 17 views to start it. My first step was to call a board meeting to discuss them about my approach.

I presented my road map to them, starting with a suggestion to convert 150 beds to 35 beds based on population serviced v/s incidence of cancer and reducing initial investments. I suggested making of various sub-committees with not more than 3 trustees. They should have independent decision making power and their decisions would be reviewed in monthly with intension of hastening the process but keeping accountability. I got some strong opposition about my suggestion of reducing the bed number. As per them 150 bed was a suggestion of senior cancer specialist of a premier institute and they have done the construction accordingly. I handled the situation by facts and figure, investment and option of second phase. During presentation I judged their strong financial knowledge/banking background and added an extempore financial plan of recurring deposit of 40,000/- per month from the revenue generated. This would be used to procure Radioactive Isotope used in Radiation machines at regular intervals, which is very expensive. This suggestion was taken very positively by them and they asked me relevant questions about Radiation source procurement and handling.

I later made an expert advisor committee for equipment selection in various specialties and prepared a final list of equipments. I got the necessary licenses and permission required. I then made a team of qualified and trained Specialist Doctors to make a handpicked team. There were frustrating delays in placing the purchase orders, bias for selection of non technical staffs etc. In-spite of all this I could almost keep my promise of starting the hospital within a year. I joined on 30th Oct. 2001 and hospital was inaugurated on 19th Nov. 2002.

This entire experience gave me insight to many things in life and I became more organized, patient, confident and happier. Though I have moved on in life but this experience taught me to handle difficult situation in professional as well as personal life.