Finding Our Why with Dr. Aashish Didwania

Aashish Didwania, MD, is the Vice Chair of Education in the Department of Medicine, an Associate Professor of Medicine, and the Program Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Didwania completed his medical school at the University of Michigan, and his residency at Northwestern University. His clinical interests include general internal medicine, community health, and hospital medicine. His research focuses on improving medical education, specifically in curriculum design that focuses on improving health equity and advocacy. Dr. Didwania’s passion for teaching has been recognized through a number of Outstanding Teacher Awards from the Feinberg School of Medicine, and the Program Director of the Year Award at the McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University. Dr. Aashish Didwania is the first to admit that he struggled with finding his personal “why”. When he realized that his motivation was seeing other people succeed, and making a positive impact in medicine, his career became much more fulfilling. Dr. Didwania shares that when the vision or purpose is not clear, the journey is much more difficult—especially in medicine.  Because it is our personal “why” that empowers us to persevere in the face of challenges. Pearls of Wisdom: 1. Your mentors have gone through many of the same challenges you are facing.  Embrace your challenges as normal, take the initiative to approach your mentors, and you’ll likely find a deep connection. 2. Finding and remembering your ‘why’ will help you stay resilient through the challenges/downturns in your career.  While it is awkward, read your old personal statements every 6 months to remember your journey and purpose in medicine. 3. Hospitals are tough environments and sometimes that environment distracts one from being kind.  Being nice in the hardest of times is what stands out and makes one a leader and role model.