SpineLine Back Page: Behind the Mask
Dr. Hemant Kalia
At the Savya Neuroscience Institute, Hemant Kalia, MD, blends ancient wisdom with modern innovation. He starts his day with coffee, grounds himself in the Bhagavad Gita, and finds rhythm in Bob Dylan before the OR. Outside of work, you might find him perfecting a single malt pour, playing with his five-year-old, or reflecting on the artistry of Ravi Shankar.
What’s your go-to breakfast before a long day in the OR or clinic?
Coffee.
What’s in your white coat pockets right now?
Fountain pen, pocket diary and business cards for Savya Neuroscience Institute.
Do you have any superstitions or rituals before a big case or a busy clinic day?
A Johnny Cash or Bob Dylan song.
OR (or commute) playlist: Silence, music, or podcast? What’s playing?
Audiobook: The Next Conversation by Jefferson Fisher.
Go-to snack to stay fueled during a long shift?
Nuts.
Favorite OR or clinic life hack?
AI-powered ambient listening and other operations hack.
Favorite thing about an early morning start?
No traffic.
If you had to do a TED Talk on a nonmedical topic, what would it be?
From Suffering to Freedom: Teachings from Upanishads.
What’s the most surprising skill you have outside of medicine?
Singing.
First thing you do when you walk into the hospital or clinic each day?
I check in with my staff to see if there are any urgent patient concerns, then I review the day's schedule to mentally prepare for each patient's unique needs and challenges.
Coffee, tea, or something else?
Coffee.
If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why?
Sushruta, the ancient Indian surgeon from around 600 BCE. He performed cataract surgery, described over 300 surgical procedures, and is considered the father of surgery. I'd love to discuss his innovative approaches to patient care and how his principles still apply to modern minimally invasive techniques.
What book has had the biggest impact on you—medical or otherwise?
The Bhagwad Gita.
Do you collect anything?
Single malt scotch.
What’s your go-to way to unwind—hobby, sport, guilty pleasure?
Nothing beats a dram of single malt from Islay with a Bob Dylan record after a long day.
What’s a TV show or movie you’ve watched more times than you’d like to admit?
The Pursuit of Happyness. The themes of perseverance, building something from nothing, and never giving up on your vision resonate deeply with my journey of establishing Savya Neuroscience Institute.
If you had an extra hour in your day that wasn’t for work, how would you use it?
Playing with my 5-year-old.
If you could instantly master any skill (medical or not), what would it be?
Playing the tabla. I've always admired the mathematical precision and emotional expression required for Indian classical percussion.
If you weren’t able to work in medicine, what completely different career would you choose?
Music.
Are you a dog person, cat person, some other type of pet person, or none of the above?
None of the above but my daughter is lobbying hard though!
What’s the best concert you’ve ever been to?
Pandit Ravi Shankar's performance. The way he could make a room of thousands completely silent with a single note demonstrated the power of mastery and presence.
What’s the best meal you’ve ever had?
Home-cooked meal by my mother.
What’s your favorite place you’ve traveled to?
Grand Tetons/Yellowstone.
What’s your favorite phone app?
Perplexity.ai.
What’s a song that always puts you in a good mood?
Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver