By Veronica Perry, student reporter
As the global coronavirus pandemic continues to escalate, USC Price alumna Dr. Eesha Chakravartty is working on the frontlines caring for patients. When COVID-19 emerged, Chakravartty and her team not only had limited knowledge of the disease, but also limited resources such as PPEs, ventilators, beds and staffing. “However, we all came together to fight this. I was able to witness great teamwork, compassion, sacrifices by staff and families and innovative ways of delivering care,” she shared.
Chakravartty’s past positions in the medical field gave her a unique approach when facing major health care challenges like treating patients in a pandemic. She previously worked as a project manager in performance improvement and as the service line administrator for the Hematology/Oncology, Radiation Oncology and Infusion Center department at the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. After working for five years as an administrator, Chakravartty pivoted her career back towards clinical care. Now, she is currently in the final year of her Internal Medicine residency at Brookdale Hospital Medical Center-Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center as chief resident.
Why Chakravartty Chose USC Price
Initially, she decided to pursue her MHA degree after medical school “to better understand the administrative aspects, key decision-making processes that impact health care and to enhance [her] abilities as a clinical provider.” She shared that she Price was a perfect choice because of our mandatory administrative residency – which provides hands-on, real world experience – paired with the prestige of faculty and guest lecturers and the opportunity to take elective courses from other disciplines. Chakravartty’s experience lived up to her expectations and says that the knowledge she gained in the Price School’s Master of Health Administration (MHA) program continues to help her to this day.
She recalls how her studies reinforced analytical thinking and problem-solving in a health care environment, both crucial components of navigating the uncertainty of COVID-19. At USC Price, Chakravartty learned from case studies, held in-depth presentations in front of hospital boards and executives, and took part in workshops with mock scenarios and detailed paper reviews. “During my MHA residency, I had the opportunity to work with frontline health care workers and understand their needs which really helps in challenges of this magnitude,” she said, referring to the pandemic.
How COVID-19 is Transforming Healthcare
As she supports her current patients, Chakravartty feels that this pervasive virus is highlighting a need for change within the medical administration field, specifically focused on greater innovation in health care delivery. “I see telehealth/tele-consults playing an important role in outpatient care and the need for readily available information in real-time across different health systems and EMRs,” Chakravartty said. She also mentioned the need for greater flexibility within the health care industry to better prepare for health crises stating that “such changes in operations and planning will require strong innovative health care administrative leadership.”
Chakravartty said she is on a mission as a health care professional to “go beyond the norms and pursue innovative ways of delivering high quality, well-integrated, effective and efficient care to our community.” Chakravartty’s admirable mission brings hope to health care as she uses her knowledge, expertise and empathy to care for patients affected by the pandemic.