Page 27 - ChildArt_Oct-Dec 2020_ABCDstudy

When Science Meets Art

Dr. Hina Inam tells ChildArt Guest Editor, Dr. Katia Howlett,

about her Artistic Journey to Medicine

“ Every child is an artist.

”
The problem is to remain an artist

once they grow up.

—Pablo Picasso

This was a favorite quote of mine when I was
growing up. As a young child, I often sat on the stairs with
my sketchbook, drawing my thoughts. This passion stayed
with me, and eventually it became a part of my profession.
Strange as it may sound, surgery and the arts are closely
connected. Just as a painter thinks about and executes
a painting, a surgeon is an artist creating masterpieces Hina Inam
in the operating room (OR). I simply shifted from having
paintbrushes in my hand to a scalpel.
Along my career path, the International Child Art
Foundation (ICAF) has played a big role. I was once a shy
little girl, but going to the United States representing my
country at the World Children’s Festival and meeting all
those incredibly talented kids, gave me confidence. Art
became my speech; it became my passion. When I felt
happy, I’d draw. When I felt sad, I’d find comfort in art. It also Hina at the 1999 World Children’s Festival
plays an important role in who I am today. on the National Mall in Washington, DC
It all began on a long Sunday, when I was a medical intern I graduated in December 2019 as the first female cardiac
at the busiest cardiothoracic (heart and chest) surgery surgery resident from Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH)
service in Karachi, the largest city in Pakistan. I was called in Karachi, and then joined AKUH as a Senior Resident. The
to the OR. Because I had worked so hard as a student job at this very busy cardiothoracic surgery service involves
and intern, I was given the opportunity to perform a six days of operations and academic activities. A supervisor
“sternotomy” (chest opening). When I did, I saw the human watches while I perform surgery. I also assist with coronary
heart and the lungs for the first time. Simply put, it was love artery surgeries for adults, and with replacing patients’
at first sight. In that moment, I knew without any doubt heart valves.
that this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
Even though my routine is very busy, I take time out to
While I was still an intern, I started reading about cardiac sketch, draw, and paint whenever I can. It gives me peace.
surgeries. Whenever I had time, I drew different views of the It’s my “happy place” after a long day’s work. Art has helped
heart. I was fascinated by the heart’s rhythm and efficiency. me grow in so many ways: It has taught me patience, made
Even today, while I’m waiting for the patient to be prepared me focus, and made me passionate. All these qualities have
for surgery, I usually sketch. This helps me “see” the steps of helped me grow in my career, too. Now my canvas is the
the operation, and concentrate on what I plan to do for the human heart, and stitches are my paints.
patient. It’s much like the steps of a dance.