Dr. Pavinee Ahuja, A Pediatrician Who Believes Heart Health and Genetic Insight Hold the Key to a Healthy Start in Life
A child's illness is one of the hardest challenges any parent may face. Young children can't yet tell us where it hurts, and every stage of childhood brings new questions. That is why pediatricians are there to stand alongside families—not only to treat illness, but also to guide parents in nurturing their children to grow up healthy, both physically and emotionally.
In this edition of MedPark Story, we wish to introduce Dr. Pavinee Ahuja, known as “Dr. Beauty”, a pediatrician at the Pediatric Center, MedPark Hospital. With 13 years of experience in medicine and nearly a decade devoted to caring for children, this kind-hearted pediatrician has gained valuable clinical experience and perspectives from working in four countries. She is here to show parents that seeing a doctor does not have to be a scary experience.
Inspired By Her Father: Now A Pediatrician Who Understands Every Stage of Life
“My journey to becoming a doctor began with my father. He was part of the mobile medical team of the King's Mother Medical Volunteer Foundation. When I was in grades 1-2, I went with him on many of his outreach trips; I found it fascinating. Seeing the joy on people's faces after my father helped them in remote communities made me realize that this was what I wanted to do. From then on, I worked hard to achieve that goal.”
Dr. Beauty's first inspiration came from the person closest to her—her father, a physician in the King's Mother Medical Volunteer Foundation.
Watching her father travel with mobile medical teams to care for people in remote communities while she was still in elementary school planted the seed of an inspiration in young Pavinee's heart—a dream of becoming a doctor that she has carried with her for as long as she can remember. At around the age of 10, Dr. Pavinee moved overseas, living in India, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. She completed the first three years of her medical degree at the University of Nottingham in the UK before returning to Thailand to finish her medical training.
“During the first three years of medical school in the UK, I wasn't yet treating patients independently. Instead, I observed physicians in community clinics once or twice a month. The training encouraged me to think critically at every step of the clinical decision-making process -- to question why each decision was made and apply the scientific principles I had learned to support our reasoning. It broadened my perspective, and I believe it has enabled me to better understand and care for both Thai and international patients.”
Choosing Pediatrics to Be a Part of a Child’s Growth from Their Very First Second of Life
“When I started working in pediatrics, I realized that my role wasn't just about treating illnesses. I had the opportunity to be part of a child's growth and development. For some families, I may play only a small role, while for others, I may become an important part of their journey. Beyond treating medical conditions, pediatricians also provide guidance on child-rearing and behavior management, helping create the best possible environment for children to grow and thrive. That's what makes pediatrics so meaningful to me. It's about so much more than treating illness.”
With a smile, Dr. Pavinee explains that a general pediatrician cares for children from the very first moments of life. On many occasions, she is called to the delivery room to attend to a newborn, then continues caring for that child until age 15-18. From treating illnesses to supporting a child's emotional well-being, a pediatrician often becomes a trusted long-term advisor for the entire family.
“Children are like sponges. They absorb every word we say. As adults, we may think that an offhand comment or seemingly insignificant moment won't affect them, but children take it all in. Because they still are unable to manage their emotions the way adults can, those experiences can certainly affect them as they grow older.
The Essence of Being a Pediatrician Is Understanding, Keen Observation, Patience, and Warmth.
Many parents looking for a good pediatrician often seek out renowned specialists. But for Dr. Beauty, the essence of being a good pediatrician lies in three essential qualities: empathy, keen observation, and warmth.
“The first quality every pediatrician should have is empathy. As doctors, we may quickly recognize what's causing a child's illness because of our years of training. But for parents, it may be the first time they face their unwell children. Naturally, they're worried because they don't know how to help. That's why it's so important to take the time to explain everything with patience and compassion, helping them understand and easing their concerns from the start of treatment.”
Beyond empathy, Dr. Beauty believes that several other qualities are equally essential for a pediatrician. One is keen observation, coupled with a genuine sense of curiosity. Young children are often unable to describe their symptoms or explain how they feel, so it is the pediatrician's responsibility to carefully observe them from the moment they walk into the examination room and to take a thorough medical history from their parents. Patience is just as important. Pediatricians must distract children during examinations and treatments without making them cry or become overly distressed. They must provide the necessary care while earning the child's trust.
“Although I personally love children and enjoy spending time with them, I don't believe every pediatrician has to be natural with children. Being a great pediatrician isn't about loving to play with children or entertaining them. After all, parents aren't looking for someone to play with their child. What's truly important is being warm and compassionate enough that the child and their parents feel comfortable with you. That's enough to show them that coming to the hospital doesn't have to be a frightening experience.”
Precision Medicine: A Growing Trend in Pediatric Care
Beyond her gentle approach, Dr. Beauty is a forward-thinking pediatrician who keeps pace with the latest medical innovations. She highlights one of the most significant global healthcare trends emerging from the United States—Precision Medicine and genomic testing—which is playing an increasingly important role in pediatric care.
“Precision medicine uses genomic sequencing to guide treatment. It's just gaining traction in Thailand, but it has been part of clinical practice in the United States for some time. It offers significant benefits for pediatric care. One of the examples is a drug allergy. In the past, whenever we prescribed certain medications for children, there was always some uncertain risk. All we could say was that there was a 90% chance a child wouldn't have an allergic reaction and a 10% chance they would. If a child does develop an allergy, we often can’t explain why. But with the advent of precision medicine, we can now test before a prescription is given to determine whether a child carries genetic variants associated with adverse drug reactions. This means doctors no longer have to rely on guesswork.”
Dr. Beauty also shared insights from her training in the United States. Precision medicine offers numerous benefits in pediatric care, particularly in genetic disorder screening, including serious conditions such as primary immunodeficiency. In Thailand, this genetic testing approach is also beginning to be implemented in children.
“Genetic testing can also help doctors and families identify, from birth, the conditions a child may be genetically predisposed to developing. The purpose of this information isn't to frighten families or create unnecessary anxiety. Rather, it helps doctors and family members recognize and diagnose these conditions if they arise, while taking proactive steps to reduce the child's risk of developing diseases they are genetically predisposed to.” Dr. Beauty added.
The Pediatric Team at MedPark Hospital Supports Parents Every Step of the Way
Dr. Beauty concluded by encouraging parents to think of their pediatrician as “a trusted partner” of the family.
“Many people think pediatricians only treat common illnesses like colds and diarrhea or administer vaccinations. However, pediatricians can provide so much more guidance—from nutrition, parenting, and child behavior to everyday childcare, including breastfeeding, changing diapers, bathing, or planning nutritious meals. Parents can come to us with any concerns or questions they may have.”
Today, Dr. Beauty is a member of the pediatric team at MedPark Hospital. She highlighted several strengths of the Pediatric Center, including state-of-the-art medical technology, an internationally standardized genomic laboratory, a strong team of pediatricians across various subspecialties who collaborate to manage complex cases, and a dedicated lactation clinic committed to supporting breastfeeding, promoting healthy growth and long-term well-being.
Outside working hours, when she sheds her white coat, Dr. Beauty enjoys another lifelong passion — dance. A smile spread across her face as she shared:
“I’ve been dancing since I was a child. I used to be a dance teacher. I enjoy dancing in various styles, including jazz, Bollywood, and Indian dance. When I was teaching, I mainly taught Bollywood dance. I no longer teach. Instead, I mostly take classes, such as heels dance, once or twice a week. I also do Pilates, go to the gym, and play tennis. I try to stay active every day because I believe that having activities outside of work helps me recharge, so I can return refreshed and continue caring for others.”