Dr. Surendra K. Chawla is a prominent heart surgeon in the United States. In his richly textured memoir, When Persistence and Providence Joined Hands: One Cardiac Surgeon's Journey, Dr. Chawla traces his life from the age of five when he escaped the massacres occasioned by The Partition of India and Pakistan.
Dr. Chawla reflects on his childhood with his loving family, his challenging studies in both India and the U.S., and how he rose to success, building a world-class cardiac facility in Hartford, Connecticut, where he raised his family.
When Persistence and Providence Joined Hands asks the question we all face: Is life predetermined by an unknown power, or does it proceed by a combination of luck and determination? No matter what the answer, Dr. Chawla's narrative will inspire others to reflect on the intricate systems that define the paths we take.
From his earliest days of memorizing pages for his examinations to becoming a prominent cardiac surgeon, Dr. Surendra K. Chawla's commitment to learning has never wavered. Born in Punjab Province of British India, his life took a tumulus turn during the partition of 1947. At only 5 years old, he became part of one of the largest human migrations in history, crossing the newly formed borders between Pakistan and India in the face of horrific violence. Urged at a young age to focus on his education, Dr. Chawla later became part of another powerful immigration story: this time as a talented young physician arriving in the United States in pursuit of unprecedented opportunities. Dr. Chawla has been recognized for his surgical skills and patient care in the community. He was certified by the American College of Surgeons and Royal College of Surgeons (Canada), both in General and Cardiothoracic Surgery. As a researcher, he currently holds four patents related to cardiac devices. He has developed the MitraPatch, a mitral valve apparatus repair device that is now under rigorous evaluation by the FDA. Dr. Chawla has received numerous awards during his career, including a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center and a citation from the General Assembly of the State of Connecticut for services as a cardiothoracic surgeon. At the time of writing, Dr. Chawla was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and is currently undergoing treatment. While he's always been compelled to put his story on paper, it has become more important than ever to explore how his life evolved from past to present. He and wife, Ranjana, raised their two children, Sujit and Sarika, in the Greater Hartford area. Not only has Dr. Chawla devoted his career to saving countless lives; he and Ranjana are dedicated philanthropists who continue to give back to the community that gave them so much.
