Anita Somani, MD
Obstetrics/Gynecology
OhioHealth Physician Group
Q&A
Who have you admired in your path into the sciences and what qualities did you see in them that you embody in your own path?
When I started medical school only 25% of students were female. There were very few female mentors but I did have several male physicians including my father who supported my pursuit of medicine as a career. There was a female psychiatrist I worked with as a medical student who showed me it was possible to be a Mom and a Doctor. The people I admired the most all had one quality in common. They respected and cared for everyone equally from those who were uninsured, those who worked in housekeeping, nursing or were students to those who were in administration. I think this quality of being kind and respectful to everyone you work with or come across is something I have aspired to emulate.
Can you tell us about a memorable moment in your career—a time when you knew you were working in your purpose?
One of the most rewarding parts of being an OB/GYN is being part of a patient’s life throughout their reproductive years. I have had several patients who began seeing me as teenagers for birth control, continued to see me for their pregnancies and deliveries and after that for routine gynecologic care. One in particular comes to mind- she was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a genetic mutation. After she completed her family I did her hysterectomy and she asked me if this meant she was done seeing a gynecologist because I was the only one she had ever seen and she didn’t want to stop seeing me. The long-term connection you make with a patient helps you see the difference you make and that it is the purpose of being a doctor.
What is one book or film you would recommend to a young person interested in a career in sciences?
I would recommend the film Wakenda Forever: Black Panther for showing that women can succeed and be leaders in science, and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks for showing how someone can have a huge impact on science without their knowledge. It covers issues of bioethics, the history of experimentation in the African American community which has led to distrust of doctors and the magic of scientific discovery.
Career Highlights
- Mentor for the OhioHealth Diversity Scholars program, mentoring medical students from an underrepresented segment in medicine from their 1st year of medical school through graduation.
- Authored articles about racism in medicine
- Organized Physicians March for Dr. Amy Acton, OhioHealth White Coats for Black Lives rally, and March to the State House to show support for Black Lives Matter and recognition of George Floyd in 2020.
- Collaborate with the Committee to Protect Medicare Engagement of the media to advocate for vaccines and masks Executive in Residence at Franklin University’s Global Center for Health Education 2021-22 Central Ohio Social Justice Award for Health Care 2021
Biography
Anita Somani, M.D. has been an Ob-Gyn in Columbus, Ohio for the past 30 years, with the privilege of delivering babies of babies delivered early in practice. She is also an expert robotic surgeon and has been teaching robotics for 12 years. She ran for and successfully won a seat to the Ohio House as a State Representative for District 11. She now divides her time between her clinical practice and her legislative work at the Statehouse. Dr. Somani has been advocating for women since the 2011 anti-abortion bills began appearing at the Statehouse. She currently serves as the co-chair of the Physicians Action Network Board and is a board member for South Asians for America. She is a past president of the Columbus Medical Association and is also involved with the Ohio State Medical Association. She was part of the first class to graduate from the Physician’s Leadership Academy. Dr. Somani is married, a first generation immigrant and proud of her two millennial children who are also in STEM fields. Her son is an engineer and her daughter is an OB/GYN. One of her greatest accomplishments has been mentoring female medical students and watching them go on to accomplish success in their chosen specialties.
