It was never Dr Saunthari Somasundaran’s plan to follow in her late father’s footsteps; Kathlyn D’Souza finds out more about the daughter of a man whose life was dedicated to cancer research
The now-president and medical director of the National Cancer Society never intended to be in the ‘family business’, so to speak. It was never forced on her, it was something that just occurred. Dr Saunthari explains, “Neither of my parents expected for me to be in medicine, or to be involved with the Society in this capacity. It was one of the board directors who asked me, and when I first started, my father’s work and mine were completely separate.”
Separated meant that the late Dato’ Dr SK Dharmalingam worked as an oncologist, focusing more on the medical and clinical aspect of cancer such as screening and treatments, while Dr Saunthari herself, having been a caregiver for her mother— who survived cancer five times—saw the need for more support, awareness and policy.
Her views, which were different from that of her father, took a while to take off. “Even my father had opposing ideas, and we sometimes argued. When my mother was first diagnosed, he wrote to doctors around the world, seeking their advice on treatment. Me, having seen my mother fight the disease and having cared for her, saw the importance of healing beyond treatment. For me, survivorship was an entirely new journey.”
This story is from the June 2018 edition of Malaysia Tatler.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 2018 edition of Malaysia Tatler.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Tech Talk
Rami Madani of ISKL discusses how AI is impacting education
Boarding Abroad
Elizabeth Marini and Mira Rosa Marini share parentchild perspectives of life at TASIS, the American boarding school in Switzerland that shaped a confident young woman
Gateway to Greatness
Three students share how Garden International School helped them reach their desired Oxbridge institutions
Choose Your Own Ed-venture
There are many noble academic reasons for undertaking a doctorate, but does having a PhD provide any career advantages a master's degree doesn't?
The Human Advantage
Can fresh graduates thrive in an Al-driven world? The future workforce is expected to move away from mundane tasks towards positions that demand critical thinking and interpersonal skills. Here’s what you need to excel in this dynamic era of human-AI collaboration
Join the Green Revolution
Redefine your digital footprint with the Acer Chromebook Vero 514, a revolutionary device that sets the standard for sustainability and performance
Not Your Average Joe
The Chromebook unlocks a seamless computing journey that merges style with functionality
Learning Unlocked
Gamification in education represents a paradigm shift in teaching and learning. By leveraging game-like elements to enhance motivation and engagement, the learning experience is transformed into an interactive and immersive journey
The Power of
What does this mean for our children's education and how can they benefit from it?
AS ABOVE
Dont forget to look up when you stay at these five-star hotels