Healthcare Marketing Overview: Suchi Agrawal

My initial path in healthcare was influenced by a deep-rooted interest in patient care, which led me to pursue a degree in dentistry. In the clinic, I thrived on the personal connection with patients, one smile at a time. I quickly realized the profound impact effective communication had on patient care. But it wasn’t just in the clinic that I was drawn to healthcare. During my time working with the Indian Dental Association, particularly when I helped organize the World Dental Congress, I discovered something crucial about myself- I wanted to make a bigger, more lasting impact in healthcare.

As I worked alongside leaders in the field and saw how large-scale events shaped the industry, I recognized that my passion for healthcare could be channeled into a broader, more strategic context. That’s when I made the pivotal decision to pursue a master’s in business administration (MBA) with a focus on Marketing. It was a bold step away from clinical practice, but it felt like the right move to combine my clinical knowledge with business strategies that could transform the healthcare system as a whole.

The job search and career transition process were not without its hurdles. There were moments when I faced uncertainty, especially during the early stages of my MBA when I wasn’t sure how my clinical background would translate into the business world. The healthcare marketing space is incredibly competitive, and finding the right niche for my unique skill set took time. However, through persistence, continuous learning, and a strong network of mentors and colleagues, I was able to identify opportunities where my blend of clinical knowledge and business acumen was highly valued. This led me to my first international role in Singapore for a Global Healthcare Business Intelligence and Market Research company. There, I gained invaluable experience in market research and business development, learning how to apply my clinical knowledge in a strategic business context.

As my career progressed, I moved into roles that required more leadership and a stronger focus on digital engagement. My experience in market research and business development allowed me to build comprehensive digital strategies for healthcare brands, ensuring they were reaching the right audiences and delivering their message effectively. Over time, I honed my skills in leadership, digital marketing, and brand management, developing strategies that not only improved brand visibility but also enhanced patient outcomes through better communication and engagement.

The key to my success has been staying flexible and open to new learning experiences. Whether it was mastering new marketing technologies or navigating the evolving landscape of digital engagement in healthcare, I always prioritized skill development and adaptability.

To my younger self, I would say: don’t be afraid to pivot. It’s okay not to have everything figured out in the beginning. Life and careers aren’t linear, and it’s okay to take detours. Embrace every learning opportunity and be open to unexpected career paths- sometimes the best ones come from unplanned moments. Don't be discouraged by setbacks- they’re often stepping stones to something better. Also, build your network early, and never stop learning.

Looking back, I’ve had to pivot my career twice- once intentionally and once unexpectedly- but both have shaped me in ways I never imagined.

Pivot #1: From Clinical Dentistry to an MBA in Marketing

While working in clinical dentistry, I was deeply focused on patient care, but something else was stirring within me. As I helped organize the World Dental Congress, I became fascinated by the broader systems and strategies that drive healthcare organizations. I realized that while clinical practice allowed me to impact individual patients, I could have a far greater impact by improving how healthcare organizations connect with and serve entire communities. This realization led me to pivot toward healthcare marketing, combining my passion for patient care with business strategies to help organizations reach and serve more people effectively. It was a leap into the unknown, but I was determined to bridge the gap between healthcare and business and make a lasting difference.

Pivot #2: From a Founding Team Member in APAC to Starting Over in North America

The second pivot in my career was less planned. At the time, I was part of a rapidly growing Med Ed-Tech startup in APAC, feeling on top of the world as my career took off. I was excited about the trajectory I was on and my role in shaping the future of education technology in healthcare. But life had other plans. I met my partner (now husband), and after two years of long-distance, I made the decision to move to the US- leaving behind a thriving career, a growing startup, and a network I had built over years. Suddenly, I found myself starting from scratch as a trailing spouse: new country, new relationship, no job, and no network. It was a humbling experience, but it forced me to recalibrate and start over. And while that was challenging, it was also an opportunity to reinvent myself and redefine what I wanted my career to be.