Influential Woman · Physical Therapy

Varsha Saroj

Manager of Physical Therapy Department, International Institute for the Brain (iBrain)

New York, NY

Her Story

About Varsha

I have been a physical therapist for over 10 years, progressing from a physical therapist to a lead physical therapist and now to a physical therapy manager. I was always passionate about getting into exercise, and what drew me to physical therapy is that there are no medications involved - it's just exercises. There are no contraindications or side effects of what we do, which really appealed to me. I work with the neuro population and special kids, which requires a lot of patience. The biggest challenge in my work is being on the ground and performing what we do, especially when you might not be feeling well personally but you have to show that patience and be a different person. Even if there's something personal going on in your life, you have to be more professional when dealing with a patient or student. From the past few years, I'm getting into research, which is really exciting for me because initially I used to just study and do the treatment, but now I am actually going to do research and find what helps a student or patient and what doesn't. In my role, we teach a lot of students and interns, and someone told me I can be a good professor because I like to teach, which is something I'm looking forward to.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Varsha

01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

One of my friends, Mike Selvisher, told me to write a book about myself, about my career, and about my growth. I think that's a big thing to think about. Also, someone told me that I can be a good professor because I like to teach. In my profile, we teach a lot of students, interns, and everything, so I'm looking forward to both of them.

02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

To all the women, I would say to be who they are as a physical therapist, because it's difficult to deal with different types of patients every day. Sometimes you'll have a bad day and a good day. I think you have to take one thing at a time and be yourself and enjoy with everyone.

03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

The biggest challenge as a physical therapist is to be on the ground and perform what we do, because it's really challenging. I work with the neuro population, with the special kids, so I have to have a lot of patience. Sometimes personally you might not be feeling well and things like that, but then you have to show that patience and you have to be a different person. Even if there's something personal going on in your life, you have to be more professional when you are dealing with a patient or with a student. That's very challenging for me, to differentiate, but we do that.

04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

I feel like honesty is something that I value the most in my professional as well as in my personal life. I think hardworking is the second value I value the most, because it gets me where I am right now, as well as consistency to do what we have to do.

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