Meet Parizad A.
Professional career:
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Doctor (Specialist Registrar in Diabetes and Endocrinology)
Religion:
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Zoroastrian
Education:
Art by Ameana Khan, Anaesthetic Registrar
(HLA Scholar 2020-2021)
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Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry
Background
My family heritage resides mainly in India though roots originating from Persia, where my Zoroastrian foremothers emigrated from. My mother is from India and my father, originally from Africa, immigrated to make a life in the UK before taking a career opportunity in the Middle East; this led to me being born in the United Arab Emirates.
Challenges
Being female and of ethnic-origin never really struck me as being different growing up abroad in an international school, with parents who believed in daughters having equal opportunities. Fast forward to this post coronavirus world, where the impacts of the disease are being particularly felt in the BAME community and under 5% of senior positions are held by ethnic minorities and women form an even smaller percentage – it is clear we still have room for progress.
I am fortunate to be working within in a team that recognises the efforts of all individuals and gives opportunities and responsibilities based on performance rather than genetics.
Take home message
“Diversity in the modern world is beyond just skin colour – it’s gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, social background – and most important of all…. diversity of thought” – Idris Elba