Why I Chose Family Medicine: A Conversation with Dr. Meera Anand
Have you ever wondered what inspires someone to choose a career in medicine? Is it the adrenaline of the emergency room or saving a life? The precision of surgery? For some, it's something deeper - a desire for lasting, meaningful connections. It's the drive to be a constant presence in a patient’s life story.
That’s exactly what we’re exploring in our new series. We’re sitting down for honest conversations with doctors from the SFU School of Medicine to hear their personal journeys: what drew them to this vital field and what it’s really like to be a family physician.
Dr. Meera Anand, the School’s Assistant Dean of Faculty and Physician Engagement and Support (and a family doctor with many years of experience) kicks off the series with a candid look at her own path.
From Specialization to Relationships
For Dr. Anand, the call to medicine came from a deeply rooted desire to help others. As a medical student, she was drawn to specialties like pediatrics and emergency medicine. But something kept pulling her in another direction.
“I found myself unable to let go of a patient once they left my care,” she says. “I needed to know what happened to them, if they were okay. This desire for continuity of care, to follow someone’s health journey and build lasting relationships, is what led me to family medicine. I realized I didn’t just want to treat an illness - I wanted to care for the whole person, their family, and their life context.”
The Art of Generalism
Family medicine has allowed Dr. Anand to become what she calls an “expert in generalism.” Her day-to-day is incredibly diverse - one moment she’s treating a chronic condition, the next she’s supporting a new parent or helping someone through a mental health crisis.
The clinical knowledge is essential, but for her, the real art of medicine lies in being there for people through all of life’s ups and downs.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has only amplified this complexity,” she explains. “It’s added new layers of mental and emotional challenges to every patient visit.”
Finding a Seat at the Table
Of course, the work isn’t without challenges. A major one, Dr. Anand notes, is the need for a stronger, team-based approach to care, where family doctors are supported by a network of other health professionals.
Too often, she says, these supports just aren’t there, leaving family doctors to bridge the gaps for patients who are waiting for access elsewhere in the system.
“For real, lasting change, family doctors need a seat at the table,” she says. “Our firsthand understanding of patient needs and clinic workflows is essential to designing solutions that actually work.”
A Call for a New Culture
Despite the challenges, Dr. Anand remains hopeful. She sees progress in small but meaningful shifts - and in the dedication of those pushing for a better system.
She also sees promise in the next generation of physicians and in initiatives like the SFU School of Medicine, which has a strong primary care focus built into its foundation.
“It’s a unique and powerful opportunity to shift the culture around primary care,” she says.
And for students considering family medicine?
“If you value building lasting relationships and want to see the whole picture of someone’s health, this is an incredibly rewarding path,” she says. “You’ll face challenges but the privilege of being a trusted constant in people’s lives makes it all worthwhile.”
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Dr. Anand brings a wealth of experience across all parts of the education continuum, including in her roles as Provincial Undergraduate Director for Family Medicine, Provincial Curriculum Director for the Family Medicine Residency Program and various Faculty Development roles, where she created innovative and responsive curriculum for family medicine teachers. At the School, she supports the faculty in their roles as educators and teachers who form the backbone of the SoM.