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Koktail Magazine
13 Sep 2024
Meet Dr. Tunchanok Chutumstid, Chief Resident of the Rehabilitation Department at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, and your new favourite overachiever. Alongside her work as a physician—managing patient care, research, and teaching—she is also a dedicated community service leader and health advocate. From her projects in medical school to her current work in rehabilitation medicine, Dr. Tunchanok shows a deep dedication to improving the quality of life of others, especially in an ageing society.
Her career is driven by her passion for well-being, community service, and inspiring others to lead healthier lives, through both medicine and the power of volunteering and physical fitness. Alongside her medical commitments, she is pursuing her Ph.D. in clinical sciences while training for a marathon, continuing to prove that gender is not a barrier to achieving excellence in both personal and professional spheres.
When asked about the turning point that led her to choose rehabilitation medicine, Dr. Tunchanok explained that it was driven by a vision of an ageing society. She noted that while people are living longer, it’s equally important that they maintain a good quality of life.
“Rehabilitation medicine plays a vital role in everyday life by promoting health, encouraging physical activity, and prescribing proper exercise to prevent diseases in healthy individuals,”
she explained.
“It is about not just treating the disease but helping people live fuller, more functional lives,”
she added, highlighting the importance of focusing on the whole person, not just the illness.
Dr. Tunchanok’s journey has also been influenced by her experience as a woman in the medical field. She has always believed that being a woman is an asset rather than a limitation.
“Gender has not held me back in any way. In healthcare, it’s about what you bring to the table, not your gender. It’s encouraging to see more women pursuing careers in healthcare and excelling in roles once thought to be male-dominated.”
During her medical school years, Dr. Tunchanok initiated several community service projects that laid the foundation for her approach to leadership and service. “Teddy Bear Hospital” and “Growing Together” were two standout initiatives. Through these projects, she provided care to patients and encouraged her fellow medical students to volunteer, promoting a spirit of giving back to the community.
“Leading these projects was one of the most valuable experiences of my medical journey,”
she shared. These initiatives taught her critical leadership skills, including team management, collaboration, and the importance of valuing diverse opinions. The “Growing Together” project, in particular, paired medical students with children from the Thai Red Cross Children’s Home, helping to support the children's development while simultaneously teaching the students about working with young patients.
“The feedback from the children and the medical students has been overwhelmingly positive. Many students have been inspired to start their own projects or pursue careers in paediatrics. I’m proud that ‘Growing Together’ continues today under the leadership of new students,”
she reflected.
Dr. Tunchanok’s experience at Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute during the early days of COVID-19 was eye-opening. It reinforced her belief that healthcare is a team effort, where gender plays no role in one’s capabilities.
“Everyone worked together as equals, regardless of gender,”
she stated.
Her time there also emphasised the importance of rehabilitation medicine in helping patients recover from the long-term effects of the virus.
As a physician who juggles research, clinical responsibilities, and teaching, Dr. Tunchanok acknowledges that balance is key.
“I won’t say it’s easy, but I always try to do my best and set clear priorities. The most valuable resource we have is time, so I focus on things that align with my long-term goals,”
she said.
She highlighted the strengths women bring to healthcare, such as empathy, resilience, and multitasking—qualities she believes are essential for success in the field.
“We are proving that gender doesn’t limit what we can achieve, and I am inspired by the women around me who balance family, career, and personal interests with grace and determination.”
Teaching future healthcare professionals is a responsibility Dr. Tunchanok holds dear. For her, the connection between teaching and clinical work is clear: both involve breaking down complex concepts into simple, actionable ideas.
“Whether I’m teaching students or advising patients, I focus on making things understandable and motivating them to take action.”
She believes that female mentors have an essential role to play in shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals. Female mentors, according to Dr. Tunchanok, can serve as role models for other women in the field, helping to break down gender stereotypes and encouraging more women to pursue leadership roles.
In addition to her medical work, Dr. Tunchanok is passionate about physical fitness. She is currently training for a marathon, having already completed a sprint triathlon.
“Sports are a way for me to de-stress and stay disciplined. It also allows me to connect with my patients on a deeper level because I practice what I preach when it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle,”
she shared.
Looking ahead, Dr. Tunchanok sees rehabilitation medicine becoming increasingly important in Thailand, particularly as the population ages. She hopes to be at the forefront of promoting health, preventing disease, and helping people maintain their functional independence for as long as possible. She also wants to continue mentoring the next generation of physicians and inspire them to lead with compassion, commitment, and a drive for excellence.
Through her leadership, volunteer efforts, and dedication to rehabilitation medicine, Dr. Tunchanok inspires others to live healthier, more fulfilling lives.
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