New Book on the Personal Journey of The Spiritual Medic

New Book on the Personal Journey of The Spiritual Medic

UKZN Medical alumnus, Dr Tivana Chellan, who graduated cum laude last year, has published a book titled: The Spiritual Medic.

Chellan held a variety of leadership roles during her time as a student including serving as the president of the South African Medical Students’ Association, first at provincial level and a year later as national chairperson.

She has always been passionate about the mental health and well-being of Medical professionals.

Her book, crafted during her final year of study, highlights some of the key aspects of self-motivation irrespective of an individual’s background, aspects of bullying and “not conventionally fitting in” while describing her own personal journey as a student.

‘Throughout my Medical degree, I saw colleagues and friends grappling with their mental well-being,’ said Chellan. ‘Being a Medical student and just being at university whilst simultaneously balancing everything else happening in one’s life, can be extremely mentally and emotionally draining. It is this medical journey that has transitioned my thinking from – “My career is the goal” to “My career is the means to achieving the greater goal which is selfless love for humanity”,’ said Chellan.

During her student days, Chellan co-ordinated several mental health capacitation programmes as well as seminars to tackle gender-based violence (GBV).’ I am a strong advocate for encouraging male role models to change the culture and tackle GBV within their own peer groups and communities.’

She also created a youth COVID-19 response team to promote education on the pandemic at community level, tackle misinformation and capacitate rural communities in effective and practical methods of hand washing. This was done through a number of self-created educational videos and informative posters.

Chellan, currently serving her first year of internship at the General Justice Gizenga Mpanza Regional Hospital in Stanger, was also one of the finalists for the Global Outstanding Leadership Awards 2022. ‘I spent most of my time at Medical School dedicated to uplifting the future generation of Medical students,’ she said. ‘I became a peer and academic mentor and worked with students from first to final year. I continue to mentor Medical students and have retained my student groups and enjoy having tutorials with them as it motivates me in consolidating my own knowledge and keeping up to date with the latest guidelines,’ she said.

‘An enormous amount of credit goes to my mother who has been an incredible support system for me. Since I was in primary school she has always said to me – “Go for it! What’s the worst that can happen – you may be told no. That’s it”. My mom has taught me to be fearless and so I live every day, uninhibited, reaching for my dreams.’

Chellan’s book has been endorsed by the Dean of the School of Clinical Medicine, Professor Ncoza Dlova, and several professors of Clinical Medicine at UKZN who have said they are proud of her exceptional work and excited to buy their copy of the book!

‘When we change our perspective from “This is MY work, MY job, MY patient” to “This is God’s work, God’s job, his patient and I am only the instrument in his divine hands”, then our entire energy shifts, for we surrender and allow God to work through us. Everything is in his hands,’ said Chellan.

• Copies of The Spiritual Medic are available through Takealot as well as Amazon and Apple.

Words: Maryann Francis

Photographs: Supplied