Dr. Poonam Guha Vaze

As a 72-year-old grandfather accompanying my 8-year-old for his appendectomy, I was struck by how Dr. Vaze included me in discussions. She used simple analogies ('like fixing a tiny balloon') and checked my blood pressure when I looked anxious. Her holistic care embraced the whole family, not just the patient. (Patient of Dr. Guha)

Our toddler swallowed a button battery—every second counted. Dr. Poonam’s team moved like lightning: within an hour, she’d performed an endoscopic removal and sketched diagrams to show us how the damage was contained. Her urgency and clarity turned our panic into relief. (Patient of Dr. Guha)

Routine umbilical hernia repair for our 6-year-old felt daunting until Dr. Poonam involved her in choosing the bandage color ('glittery purple!'). The surgery was flawless, and she followed up with a video call to show our daughter her own 'superhero scar.' Pure magic. (Patient of Dr. Guha)

A complex Hirschsprung's disease case had us seeking multiple opinions. Dr. Vaze spent two hours mapping out the pull-through surgery using clay models, highlighting risks without sugarcoating. Her innovative approach and raw honesty built trust we’d never found elsewhere. (Patient of Dr. Guha)

My 3-day-old grandson was rushed to Dr. Poonam with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia—we were terrified. She calmly explained the delicate surgery, stayed late to monitor him post-op, and even called us at midnight with updates. Today he's breathing normally, and we credit her steady hands and compassionate heart for saving his life.