The Doctor Who Did 5 PGs: Unexpected Lessons on Career, Passion, and Purpose
- Ankit Sharma
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Series: Department of Podcast
Episode: 09
Subject: Forensic Medicine
Guest: Dr. Krishna Kumar Singh
Host: Dr. Ankit Sharma
For generations, the path of a doctor has been sold as a one-way ticket on a high-speed train. You board at medical school, power through a single specialization, and don't get off until retirement. Any detour, any moment of doubt, is seen not as exploration, but as a derailment—a failure. The pressure to choose the “perfect” branch and stick with it, no matter the cost, is immense.
But what if the map is wrong? What if the most fulfilling destination lies on a track you never planned to take?
Enter the extraordinary journey of Dr. Krishna Kumar Singh, an Assistant Professor of Forensic Medicine at RMLIMS, Lucknow. His career is a masterclass in challenging the myth of the straight path. In his search for purpose, Dr. Krishna pursued five different postgraduate specializations: Microbiology, Anesthesia, Forensic Medicine, Orthopedics, and Pathology. His path wasn't a failure to launch; it was a courageous and strategic search for a career that aligned not just with his skills, but with his soul. This article distills the most impactful lessons from his unique story, offering a powerful new perspective for any medical professional feeling trapped by convention.
Takeaway 1: There Is No "Bad" Branch, Only a Limited Perspective
After experiencing a breadth of medicine few ever will, Dr. Krishna arrived at a powerful conclusion: every specialty holds immense value. His journey began not with passion, but with strategy. His first PG was in Microbiology at BHU, chosen because it was a para-clinical branch near his home that would allow him to study again for his true dream: surgery. Yet, even in this practical choice, he saw the branch's profound importance in evidence-based medicine, a value made undeniable to the world during the COVID era.
Later, when he pursued Anesthesia, he discovered a field transforming itself. He found profound joy in the crucible of the ICU, recalling the unmatched feeling of resuscitating an "NPAR" (Non-Palpable, Not Recordable) patient. "They were brought in with attendants thinking they were already gone," he recalls. "Two days later, to see them walk out of the ICU... no other experience can beat that feeling." What was once seen as a background role was now at the forefront of critical care, a "wonderful branch" where anesthetists were a patient's last line of defense.
This perspective directly counters the anxiety plaguing medical students about securing a "top" branch. Dr. Krishna's journey proves that the perceived hierarchy of specializations is often a matter of limited perspective, not inherent value.
"After telling this whole story, no one can tell better than me which branch is bad and which is good. Every branch is good."
Takeaway 2: The "Doctor of the Dead" Can Be a Lifesaver
In India, Forensic Medicine specialists are often reductively labeled the "murde wala doctor" (the doctor for the dead), a perception that dismisses the field's life-affirming potential. Dr. Krishna’s experience at AIIMS Delhi completely shatters this stereotype, revealing a dynamic specialty that directly saves and improves lives.
He found the forensic department was a hub of life-giving activity:
Enabling Organ Transplants: The department was instrumental in facilitating organ transplants from Road Traffic Accident (RTA) victims. By motivating grieving families, they enabled cornea, heart, and kidney donations that gave the gift of sight and life to others. Dr. Krishna was personally felicitated three times for his role in promoting these transplants.
Advancing Surgical Skills: In a unique collaboration, MCh Trauma Surgery residents joined forensic specialists for post-mortems on RTA victims who died on the operating table. This allowed surgeons to understand the exact nature of fatal injuries, providing invaluable insights to improve future surgical outcomes.
A "Gold Mine" for Research: The department served as a "gold mine" for multi-disciplinary research. It provided fresh tissue samples to numerous other specialties—from the hippocampus for neurosurgery and glands for endocrinology to tissues for cardiac surgery and pediatrics—fueling discovery across the institution.
The Ultimate Skill Lab: Unclaimed bodies were utilized as a high-fidelity surgical skill lab. Instead of practicing on synthetic models, surgeons-in-training could hone complex procedures—from ENT specialists practicing temporal bone drilling to general surgeons perfecting incisions—on actual human tissue.
This work was guided by a principle that redefines the very purpose of the field.
"This is the place where death teaches the life."
Takeaway 3: Your "First Love" Isn't Always Your Final Destination
For Dr. Krishna, Orthopedics was more than a specialization; it was his "first love," the surgical dream he had chased for years. After a winding path, he finally secured a PG seat. He wasn't just surviving; he was thriving. Despite a toxic environment, his passion and skill shone through. Senior residents called him the "Rajdhani express" for his speed and efficiency. One complimented him directly: "Your hands are very good. You will be a great surgeon."
Yet, three months in, he made the agonizing decision to walk away. The choice had nothing to do with the rigors of residency. It was driven by a crushing personal reality: his infant daughter was undergoing intensive weekly treatment for clubfoot. The painful manipulations and casting left him shattered, and the brutal schedule kept him away from her side. "I literally worked for three months while crying," he says, the pain of being separated from the very person he was doing it all for becoming unbearable.
He didn't just quit; he tried to find a way. He went to his Head of Department and pleaded for a small compromise: just a few hours on his alternate nights off to go to the adjacent married students' hostel to be with his daughter. The HOD’s response was swift and absolute: "This can't happen. It hasn't for centuries, and it won't today." Faced with an inflexible system that demanded he sacrifice his family for his career, he resigned the same day. His story is a powerful reminder that life's circumstances can redefine professional purpose, and sometimes the bravest move is to abandon a long-held dream for a more important reality.
Takeaway 4: A Positive Culture is the Ultimate Career Multiplier
Throughout his journey, Dr. Krishna encountered the hierarchical work environments common in clinical residencies. This stood in stark contrast to the exceptionally positive culture he discovered in Forensic Medicine at AIIMS Delhi, which became a key reason for his success and fulfillment. It was a culture built not on fear, but on fairness and mutual respect.
Several elements made the AIIMS culture a powerful multiplier for professional growth:
A Non-Hierarchical Mindset: The guiding philosophy was "we are colleagues." A rotational case system ensured every resident, from first-year JR to senior SR, had equal opportunities.
Fairness and Balance: A strict "one day on, one day off" schedule prevented burnout and gave residents protected time for research and well-being. This wasn't just a suggestion; it was the system.
An Atmosphere of Mutual Learning: Seniority did not preclude learning. Senior residents were open to learning from juniors, creating a genuine academic environment where the best ideas could flourish regardless of rank.
A Human-Centered Space: The department's JR room was a sanctuary, not just an office. Equipped with a coffee maker and a carrom board, it was a place where colleagues could relax, bond, and truly function as a team.
This supportive atmosphere was not just a perk; it was the engine of innovation. It was this culture of collaboration and psychological safety that enabled the groundbreaking interdisciplinary work described earlier, proving that a healthy environment is the foundation upon which life-saving work is built.
Conclusion: The Courage to Be "Mad"
Dr. Krishna's journey teaches us that a successful medical career isn't a perfect, linear plan. True success lies in adaptability, self-awareness, and the courage to make unconventional choices that align with your values. After leaving Orthopedics, he strategically pursued a second MD in Pathology, creating a rare and powerful combination with his Forensic degree to become a true Forensic Pathologist—turning a painful setback into a unique super-specialty. His path was never about quitting; it was about pivoting with purpose.
As he navigated his many transitions, he was often misunderstood by those who saw only the detours, not the destination.
"People start tagging you that you are mad. So I tell everyone, it's very tough to be mad."
His story is an invitation to look beyond the conventional ladder of success and find the path that is truly your own. What "mad" decision in your life might lead you to a more authentic destination?
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