Behind the Mask: Dr. Hemant Kalia on Presence, Purpose, and the Practice of Medicine
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For physicians, medicine rarely stops at the exam room door. The mental preparation, emotional regulation, and quiet rituals that sustain often happen long before you see your first patient, and long after you leave the hospital or clinic. Many of your colleagues rely on small, personal routines to stay grounded amid the pace and pressure of practice.
Dr. Hemant Kalia, founder of Savya Neuroscience Institute, is no exception. His day often begins with coffee, a moment of reflection from the Bhagavad Gita, and music that helps him settle into focus before the OR. These habits are not indulgences; they are tools that allow him to be fully present for patients and his care team.
Before reviewing cases, Dr. Kalia checks in with his staff to identify urgent patient concerns and mentally prepares for the unique needs of the day ahead. Like many physicians, he understands that clinical excellence depends not only on technical skills but on communication, trust, and team alignment. Technology plays a role as well, with AI-powered ambient listening tools supporting efficiency while allowing greater attention to the human side of care.
Outside of medicine, music, family, and reflection continue to anchor him. Whether unwinding with a record, enjoying a beverage, or spending time with his five-year-old, these moments restore the clarity required for complex decision-making. His interests, ranging from Indian classical music to ancient surgical philosophy, reflect a belief that innovation and tradition are deeply connected.
In his SpineLine Q&A, Dr. Kalia shares the personal details behind the white coat: the routines, influences, and reflections that shape how he practices medicine and lives his life. His answers will feel familiar to many New York physicians, because behind every title and specialty is a colleague navigating the same balance between responsibility, purpose, and presence.
