Though time is the essence in stroke care, systemic delays—late hospital arrivals, bureaucratic hurdles in imaging, or hesitation in thrombolysis—cost lives.
Dr Anirudda Deshpande, our next pathbreaker, Consultant Stroke Neurologist at Altnagelvin Hospital (Northern Ireland, UK), tackles one of medicine’s greatest challenges: time-sensitive brain emergencies.
Anirudda talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about his medical journey filled with challenges—each one shaping him into a more resilient physician, and a better advocate for patients.
For students, a career in medicine isn’t just a degree—you’ll develop patience in chaos, clarity under pressure, courage when lives hang in the balance.
Anirudda, can you share your background with our young readers?
I was born into a lower middle class Brahmin family in Nagpur in April 1980. My father was then at a very junior post in Reserve Bank of India ( Nagpur ) and my mother has always been a home maker.
We were living in a joint family of 20 with only 3 earning members ( my father, my uncle ( father’s elder brother) and my grandfather), so there was plenty of financial hardship right from a very young age.
My father was then transferred to Mumbai, after he joined NABARD ( a branch of RBI which deals with Agriculture). I’m the only progeny of my parents.
My education was scattered at multiple places where my father got transferred, namely Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru. Secondary schooling and 12th Standard was predominantly at Pune & Bengaluru.
I scored 88% in CBSE in 1996, which was regarded as a decent score back then. However, I was clueless about my true strengths as most students were.
IIT and IITians used to impress me hugely. This was amplified when my cousin Kishor secured IIT Bombay at the end of my 12th standard ( state syllabus— called as PUC then).
This is when I made the first big mistake of my life.
I devoted the next 2 years of my life in preparing for IIT JEE ( Joint Entrance Exam). My strength was never Mathematics, yet I tried hard to master IIT JEE level applied mathematics, for 2 long years, but I failed miserably in both my IIT JEE attempts.
I did well to secure admission to Government Engineering College, Pune – Mechanical Engineering seat in 1999. However, I was so disillusioned and dejected by my IIT JEE failure, that I decided what will be labelled madness by many “ IIT nahi…. To Engineering nahi”.
I appeared for CET Karnataka on based on one day of preparation for Biology, and got a rank of around 1800. This is when my life changed. My father and I, after a lot of brainstorming, decided to ditch the “Free” Government Engineering College Pune seat of Mechanical Engineering and take a “payment” MBBS seat at a private medical college called Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College in Belgaum.
The fee in 1999 was 1 L rupees per year. My father had to stretch all his resources to fund my MBBS.
This is how my journey of MBBS started.
What did you do for graduation/post graduation?
My MBBS was from a private medical college Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belgaum. I did not get any seat in the next 2 years of my post graduate exam preparation. Many of my friends cleared entrance exams in their 1st attempt, some compromised on their branch and took the seat they got, some bright friends took Paraclinical branches as they “ran out of gas”.
In May 2006, I was sitting on very average/ below average MBBS performances, failures in all the other entrance exams I had attempted for in the last 2 years, with uncertainty looming, and multiple failures with no major success over the past 6-7 years ( right from my 12th standard). I was hell bent on doing MD Medicine. It was a déjà vu… “MD Medicine nahi to Doctor nahi”:
My father motivated me to get up … .again, mentally/ physically … .push harder … .again, this time “ as if it were in a do or die” situation ( as if my future/ life depends on the outcome of the 2007 exam).
This was a watershed moment in my career.
I studied as if there was no tomorrow. I put in those long hours… late nights… all days, knowing at the back of my mind that this is going to be the “make or break” moment of my medical career.
My All India Post Graduate Exam ( AIPGE) exam was on 13th Jan 2007. I reached Mumbai on the 12th January.
My grandmother was extremely ill and I remember calling her to seek blessings for one of the most important days of my life- 13th Jan. She could barely speak…. But blessed me “vijayi bhava” moments before she breathed her last.
My father, who was accompanying me to Mumbai, had to immediately leave for Nagpur to attend the final rites of my beloved Grandmother ( his mother).
With the mental agony of losing my beloved granny and with the pressure of a “do or die” exam the next day, the night of 12th January seemed very long… lonely… and uncertain.
Against all these odds, I did exceedingly well in the 2007 AIPGE, securing All India Rank of 382. I pursued MD Medicine from Grant Medical College and JJ Group of Hospitals, Mumbai. That year I got Rank 1 in INHS Aswini ( Naval post graduate exam), which I decided to turn down.
My Degree/PHD/Qualifications
FRCP (London) , FRCP (Edinburgh)
SCE Neurology (UK)
Fellowship in Stroke (Ottawa, Canada)
MD (Internal Medicine) [Grant Medical College, Mumbai]
DM (Neurology) [Kasturba Medical College, Manipal]
DNB (Neurology)
Consultant Stroke Neurologist
Altnagelvin Hospital, Glenshane Road
Londonderry NI, United Kingdom BT47 6SB
What made you choose a career in Medicine ?
It was a bizarre & unplanned decision to take MBBS. It stemmed from a stupid idea of “ IIT nahi to Engineering nahi”. At the same time, I now realise that in school my true strength was biology ( medicine stream subjects) and not mathematics. My father’s insistence on giving the biology CET at paper short notice played a key role..
And destiny brought me to where I always belonged… medicine (MBBS). So I entered this profession, not pre planned.
Before marriage, my father has been one of the greatest influences on me, all throughout. He has supported and stood by me always. My mother’s contribution has also been huge, in shaping my early years.
After marriage, my wife Supriya ( who herself has been a state topper- Rank 10 in Maharashtra CET, Under graduation from the best Medical college in Maharashtra- Seth GS & KEM Hospital) , has stood by me in all highs and lows of life. Her support and sacrifice for my family can’t be explained in words.
My friends Dr Kiran Haridas, Dr Vishal Kakhandki have always motivated me and had a positive influence on me during my MBBS days.
My in-law-, Dr Jayant Khardenavis ( who is himself a MRCP and MD Medicine) & Mother-in-Law Dr Veena Khardenavis have inspired me to pursue MRCP( UK). Their motivation and guidance has been a strong force and air beneath my wings.
My brother-in-law Dr Vikram Khardenavis & his wife Dr Gayatri Godse Khardenavis have always stood by me & Supriya and helped us when we needed any help and advice.
The understanding that engineering related subjects were not my forte and that biology / medical stream subjects came naturally to me, hence I should do better in the Medical field rather than Engineering field—- was the game changer.
Even when there was deep disparity, no light at the end of the tunnel…. In the darkest hour of my career…. , I decided to give one more serious, all out attempt for getting MD Medicine in All India Post Graduate Examination in 2006.
How did you plan the steps to get into the career you wanted? Or how did you make a transition to a new career? Tell us about your career path
I went on to do a DM ( Neurology) from Kasturba Medical College, Manipal. I did my MRCP ( UK) during the 2nd year of my Neurology residency and cleared it in the 1st attempt. I then went for my Research Fellowship in Stroke to Ottawa, Canada.
I came back and started my private practice in Warangal( Telangana). During my private practice, I cleared DNB Neurology ( practical exam in PGI Chandigarh). Subsequently, I was conferred Fellowship of Royal College of Physicians ( FRCP) both from London & Edinburgh. At age 44, I recently cleared the Specialty Certificate Exam on Neurology( Specialty Certificate in Neurology).
I recently relocated to Londonderry in Northern Ireland from India in February 2025, leaving behind a flourishing 10 years of private practice in Neurology, along with my wife Dr Supriya ( a successful & flourishing phaco surgeon).
I kept reminding myself what my father told me. Something, that I want every medical student dreaming of greatness, to remember:
These long nights, endless wards, and moments of doubt are not obstacles—they are your foundation. Great doctors are not born; they are forged in the fire of perseverance. Every IV you struggle with, every diagnosis you miss, every patient who thanks you—these are your teachers.
Remember: The best healers are those who never stop learning, never stop caring, and never let fatigue extinguish their passion. You are not just treating diseases; you are changing lives.
One day, a patient will owe their survival to your hands, your knowledge, and your heart. That day starts now. Keep going—the world needs the doctor you are becoming.”
Your future self, thanking you for not giving up.
What were some of the challenges you faced? How did you address them?
As a stroke neurologist, the journey has been filled with challenges—each one shaping me into a more resilient physician, a better advocate for patients, and a more innovative thinker. Here’s how I faced three major challenges and turned them into opportunities for growth.
Challenge 1: The Race Against Time – Delays in Stroke Treatment
The Problem:
Every minute lost in stroke care means 1.9 million neurons lost. Yet, systemic delays—late hospital arrivals, bureaucratic hurdles in imaging, or hesitation in thrombolysis—cost lives.
How I Addressed It:
– Became an Educator: I worked with communities to recognize FAST (Face, Arm, Speech, Time) symptoms early, reducing door-to-needle delays.
– Streamlined Protocols: Pushed for code stroke teams** that bypassed ER bottlenecks, cutting treatment times by 30%.
– Embraced Telemedicine: Implemented telestroke networks to guide rural hospitals in real-time, ensuring no patient was left behind.
Deeper Lesson:
“Time is brain” isn’t just a saying—it’s a call to action. The difference between paralysis and recovery often lies in the urgency we bring. So, I stopped waiting for ‘perfect’ systems and started creating them.
Challenge 2: The Heartbreak of Futile Interventions – When Treatment Fails
The Problem:
Not every stroke can be reversed. Despite thrombectomy, tPA (tissue plasminogen activator), and cutting-edge care, some patients still faced severe disability or death. The emotional toll was crushing.
How I Addressed It:
– Shifted Focus to Palliative Care: Learned to balance hope with honesty, guiding families through difficult decisions with compassion.
– Studied Recovery Science: Explored neuroplasticity and rehab breakthroughs, showing that even “failed” acute treatments could lead to long-term recovery.
– Built Resilience Through Purpose: Reminded myself daily—“We don’t just save lives; we give patients their best possible chance.”
Deeper Lesson:
Success in stroke care isn’t just measured in recanalized vessels—it’s in the dignity we preserve, the hope we nurture, and the peace we help families find. Every patient deserves a fighter, even when the battle changes form.
Challenge 3: The Inequality of Stroke Care – Disparities in Access
The Problem:
While urban centers had 24/7 Thrombectomy, rural and low-income areas struggled with basic tPA (tissue plasminogen activator). The injustice haunted me.
How I Addressed It:
– Advocated for Policy Change: lobbied with governments for stroke center certifications and funding for underserved regions.
– Mentored Local Teams: Trained doctors in resource-limited settings** on simplified protocols (e.g., modified tPA dosing)
– Used Technology Democratically: Partnered with NGOs to deploy AI triage tools in areas lacking neurologists.
Deeper Lesson:
“A stroke shouldn’t be a death sentence just because of where someone lives. If the system is broken, we don’t accept it—we rebuild it. Every small step toward equity is a victory.”
Final Reflection: Why These Challenges Matter
The hurdles in stroke neurology aren’t just obstacles—they’re invitations to innovate, to lead, and to care deeper.
– Did I lose some battles? Yes.
– Did I let them break me? Never.
– Would I choose this path again? In a heartbeat.
Because in the end, stroke medicine isn’t just about saving brains—it’s about teaching the world that even in the face of devastation, recovery is possible.
To every aspiring neurologist: The challenges will come. Meet them with courage, creativity, and an unshakable belief that you can make a difference.
Where do you work now? What problems do you solve?
I am a Consultant Stroke Neurologist at Altnagelvin Hospital, Londonderry, Northern Ireland in United Kingdom
Every day, I tackle one of medicine’s greatest challenges: time-sensitive brain emergencies.
– Acute stroke treatment: Deciding who gets thrombolysis (clot-busting drugs) or refer patients to Belfast for thrombectomy (mechanical clot removal) within minutes.
– Preventing disability: Minimising brain damage by acting fast—“time lost is brain lost.” – Complex diagnoses: Is it a stroke, a seizure, or something else? Rapid assessment saves lives.
– Secondary prevention: Stopping the next stroke through personalised medication, lifestyle changes, and cutting-edge interventions.
– Rehabilitation guidance: Helping patients regain independence after stroke.
“We don’t just treat strokes—we rewrite futures.”
What skills are needed for your role? How did you acquire them?
Essential Skills:
1. Lightning-fast decision-making– Balancing risk vs. benefit under pressure.
2. Neuroimaging expertise– Reading CT/MRI scans like a detective.
3. Compassionate communication– Delivering life-altering news with clarity and empathy.
4. Team leadership– Coordinating nurses, radiologists, and therapists seamlessly.
5. Resilience– Facing loss without losing hope.
How I learned these skills:
– Medical school & neurology training– Build the knowledge base.
– Stroke fellowship in Ottawa Canada– Mastered acute interventions in high-volume centres. – Mentorship– Learned from giants in the field.
– Trial and error– Every missed diagnosis made me sharper.
“Skill is science; greatness is forged in the crucible of experience.”
What’s a typical day like?
Morning:
– 9.00 AM: Review overnight stroke alerts—any thrombectomy candidates? – 10.00 AM: Ward rounds—assess new strokes, adjust treatments, reassure families.
Afternoon:
– Clinic: Follow-ups—optimising recovery, adjusting blood thinners, answering fears.
– Teaching: Training junior doctors—“This CT shows a subtle early ischemic change—see here?”
-Meetings: Improving stroke pathways—how can we shave minutes off treatment times?
Evening:
– Research/Admin: Writing papers, auditing outcomes—always pushing for better care.
– On-call: Ready for the next “Code Stroke”-sleep is a luxury.
“Routine? No two days are alike. That’s the thrill.”
Come back home after that. Switch off the Stroke Neurologist role, switch to the role of a father and a husband, and make the most of my time with my loved ones.
What do you love about this job?
– The adrenaline of saving a life in minutes.
– The privilege of guiding patients from terror to hope.
– The puzzles—interpreting symptoms like a neurological Sherlock Holmes.
– The team—working with heroes in nursing, radiology, and rehab.
– The impact—seeing someone walk out who arrived paralyzed.
“Love isn’t too strong a word. This job is a calling.”
How does your work benefit society?
– Saving brains = saving families. A prevented stroke means a grandparent at a wedding, a parent at graduation.
– Cutting healthcare costs: Preventing disability reduces long-term care burden
– Advancing medicine: *Our hospital’s stroke research improves global guidelines.
– Community ripple effect: Educating the public on FAST symptoms saves countless lives.
“We don’t just mend individuals—we strengthen the fabric of society, one patient at a time.”
Final Thought:
“In Londonderry’s misty hills, we fight silent battles inside human skulls—and win more often than not. That’s why I’m here.”
Tell us an example of a specific memorable work you did that is very close to you!
One of the most memorable moments in my career was the day I met a young patient who had been diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder. She had lost her ability to walk and was facing significant challenges in her daily life. Together with my team, we embarked on a journey to explore treatment options, combining innovative therapies and personalized care. Over months of rehabilitation, perseverance, and breakthroughs in treatment, she regained her ability to walk. Watching her take her first steps again was one of the most humbling and joyful experiences of my life. It reminded me of the profound impact we can have as physicians—not just healing bodies, but also restoring hope and dignity. Every patient teaches us to approach medicine with humanity and resilience, and this experience remains close to my heart as a testament to the power of compassion and dedication in healthcare.
Your advice to students based on your experience?
Dream Big, Start Now: Advice for Future Doctors from the Other Side of the Stethoscope
1. “You don’t have to be ‘the smartest’—just the most determined.”
– I failed my first biology test. Today, I perform brain surgeries. Medicine rewards persistence over perfection.Keep going.
2. “Your ‘why’ is your superpower.”
– Was it a grandparent’s illness? A love of science? A desire to serve? Hold onto that fire.It will light your way through late-night study sessions.
3. “Start leading today—even if it’s just your study group.”
– The best doctors are team captains. Practice now: Tutor a classmate, organize a fundraiser, speak up for others. Leadership is a habit.
4. “Science is your foundation—but humanity is your legacy.”
– Memorize anatomy, but never forget: That liver belongs to a mother, a musician, someone’s best friend.
5. “Fall in love with learning.”
– The doctor you’ll become in 20 years doesn’t exist yet. Stay curious: Watch surgery videos, read medical blogs, ask ‘why’ constantly.
6. “Your hands will heal—but your character will matter more.”
– Patients remember how you made them feel long after the scars fade. Practice kindness now—it’s the best bedside manner prep.
7. “The road is long… and worth every step.”
– Yes, it’s 10+ years of training. But one day, you’ll:
– Feel a baby’s heartbeat you just saved
– See your first patient walk again
– Hear “Thank you, Doctor” in tears
….and you’ll realize no other job could compare.
8. “Surround yourself with believers.”
– Some will say “It’s too hard” or “Pick an easier career.” Find teachers, friends, mentors who fan your flames.
9. “Medicine isn’t a destination—it’s a transformation.”
– You won’t just earn a degree—you’ll develop patience in chaos, clarity under pressure, courage when lives hang in the balance.
10. “The world needs exactly what you’ll bring to medicine.”
– Maybe it’s your creativity for research, your calm in crisis, your passion for health equity. Don’t try to fit the mold—redefine it.
—
Your Prescription for the Journey Ahead
1. This week: Shadow any healthcare worker—even your school nurse.
2. This year: Master one science topic so well you could teach it.
3. This decade: Become the kind of doctor you’d want caring for your loved ones.
The hospital gowns will one day have your name embroidered on them. Start earning that privilege today.
Future Plans?
As a future Stroke Neurologist at Altnagelvin Hospital, I will champion rapid, equitable stroke care for Northwest Ireland.
My vision:
1) Expand 24/7 thrombectomy services,
2) Implement AI-assisted telestroke to bridge rural gaps, and
3) Establish a patient-centered recovery program.
I’ll lead local research trials while training the next generation through simulation labs. Every innovation will target our unique population’s needs – because in stroke, minutes matter, and no patient should face geographic disadvantage. I’m committed to making Altnagelvin the gold standard for regional stroke care, where cutting-edge treatment meets compassionate, community-focused medicine.