Q&A with Dr. Raman-Luhadiya

Q. Why did you decide to become a physician?

A. Being a doctor is something I always wanted to be. It was my aspiration as far back as I remember. My parents remember me playing with a toy stethoscope and making my stuffed animals and dolls my patients. I didn’t go to the doctor very often as a child, but when I did, my parents would speak highly about doctors and talk about how they would help me feel better.

Growing up and throughout college, I found myself intrigued about people, and really interested in people’s lives and what shapes them. This sentiment, along with my natural desire to make a difference in their medical well-being, is what really drove me to medicine. Now in my years of practice, I really enjoy talking to people and learning more about them as well as educating them on their specific medical issues and helping them to find a healthy balance in their lives.

I love the variety I get with primary care. It requires a wide knowledge base, and I’m curious about pretty much everything. I see patients come through my doors with all different types of medical conditions. It keeps things very interesting.

Q. What do you enjoy about Permanente Medicine?

A. I love being a Permanente doctor because we are on the cutting edge of health care delivery, and my colleagues are some of the best I could hope to work with. We have the best specialists that patients could hope to work with as well. The care that I can deliver to my patients is seamless. During a visit with a patient, I can refer them directly to a specialist, order advanced imaging and laboratory studies, and electronically order medications—all while the patient is in the exam room. This sets the standard for putting the patient first and it leads to better health outcomes.

Q. How do you help patients reach their goals?

A. I believe in practicing thoughtful, personalized medicine that takes the whole person into account. I take the time to actively listen to my patients and really understand what their priorities and lifestyle are so I can tailor and individualize their care plan.

Sometimes by listening, you find some of the simplest things that can be overlooked. For example, I had a patient who was tired for years. He had already seen doctors to make sure his heart and lungs were okay. When he came to see me, I noticed that he was heavy-set and had high blood pressure. I asked him whether he had ever been tested for sleep apnea. He said he hadn’t, and that no one had ever mentioned that as a potential cause of his fatigue. It turned out that he did have sleep apnea. Once we were able to get that under control, his sleep improved. Even now when I see him, he’ll say that because of me, he sleeps well, and his life has changed for the better.

Q. How do you help your patients stay well?

A. I assist them in exploring what their strengths are, and I encourage them to use those strengths to overcome their medical challenges. I try to emphasize that being “well” is a combination of medical, emotional, and social balance. I give them resources that I think would be helpful and make sure they know I’m accessible by email, video, phone, or in person.

Q. What do you do to stay well? And how do you spend your free time?

A. I am part of the 5 a.m. club, which allows me to be in stillness and gather my thoughts in the tranquility of my space. This also helps me to be connected to something greater than myself, which brings me a lot of focus and energy to get through my day.

I need movement and nature every day to keep myself balanced. I enjoy reading out on the deck and walking nearby trails. I also enjoy spending time with my husband and twins.

Q. What do you want patients to know about Well Friendship Heights?

A. I’m excited that Well Friendship Heights is going to be a place where we can practice proactive medicine while offering longer visits, same-day appointments, and personalized attention—creating a personalized plan to optimize your health.

Learn more about Dr. Raman-Luhadiya here.

See what her patients say

After my previous doctor retired and [I] was informed of a new physician taking over Dr. Wetstone’s patients, I knew the incoming doctor had big shoes to fill. I can honestly say that after [receiving] at least two years of care and treatment that Dr. Raman-Luhadiya is outstanding. She has always displayed a sense of passion, comfort, and concern. —MH

I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Raman. She listens, she is encouraging, she is thorough, [and] she is competent and kind. I highly recommend her. —SP

My visit today was truly a wonderful experience. I recognized [how] Dr. Raman sincerely [felt] about my total well-being. It felt like chatting with a friend and sharing my pain, fears, [and] sadness with no judgment. She gave me encouragement and assurance that my situation [would] improve. This visit helped my decision in staying with Kaiser Permanente for another year. All-around excellent care, along with her nurse who was patient, friendly, helpful, and caring. —JF