Dr. Rajendra Trivedi is well-known in the Boston area as the physician who is providing free service to needy since 1971. He graduated in 1968 from B. J. Medical College, Ahmedabad, India. He did his Post Graduate training in Neurological Surgery from Czechoslovakia. He completed his training from Cambridge Hospital, Harvard University in Psychiatry.

He served as attending Psychiatrist at Baldpate Hospital and Medical Director of CCA and Pain Center in Stoneham, MA. He is Life Member of APA - American Psychiatrist Association, an active member of the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society, Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS)  and a Senior Member and Delegate of Middlesex District of MMS. He is a patron member of AAPI - American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin. He is a life member of the Indian Medical Association of New England and serves as Medical Adviser to Yoga East www.yogaeast.net.

He is a member of Board of Advisers of "SAHELI, Boston, MA. He is a life member and fund raising contact for North America Blind People Association of Ahmedabad, India (BPA).   Most recently he began to offer health screening and consultation at Shri Dwarkami Clinic in Billerica, MA

He talked to Lokvani about his career and his passion to serve the needy.

Could you describe your professional and personal journey that took you from Gujarat India and brought you to Boston, MA?

After completing my medical degree from Ahmedabad, I moved to Mumbai to study Neurology. I was an apprentice with a famous Neurosurgeon, Dr. Dastur who was at KEM Hospital.  While working in Mumbai, I had the desire to see and learn the modern techniques from other parts of the world. I received a fellowship to study Neurosurgery in Czechoslovakia.  Later I came to the United States and got interested in the field of Psychiatry.  After I completed my training in Psychiatry from Cambridge Hospital, I decided to pursue that as a career.

I met my wife Geeta in Medical school in Gujarat. She also came to the US by herself before we were married. We had our engagement in Cambridge itself.  Geeta did her residency in Anesthesiology.  We both have had  fulfilling careers in our areas of interest.

You have been providing free health services for the needy in Boston area since 1971. What motivates you to do that?

Community service is in our genes.  We have been very involved in supporting the blind in India.  We have worked on providing vocational training to the blind. The concept of Seva has always been ingrained in us.  When there is a need and I can help, I always try my best to do so.  Most recently Geeta and I provide Free Health Screening at the Dwarakamai Temple in Billerica, MA.

You seem to have a great interest in spirituality. As a psychiatrist you study and treat the mind. What have these these twin interests taught you?

The concept of mind and brain is key to neurology and psychiatry.  Neurologists have focused objectively on organic nervous system pathology, especially of the brain, whereas psychiatrists have looked at the illnesses of the mind.

When we move into the realm of spirituality, the concept of the soul emerges.  While the soul is not defined scientifically, I strongly believe that when we try to discover our true self, we realize that we are not just the body, brain or the mind. When one experiences the soul, one can find that center of peace and happiness.

You  and Geeta are busy doctors and yet you have managed successful careers while raising a family and serving the community. How did you manage to balance your life and career?

I give Geeta the full credit for that.  We have always had extended family at our home for long periods of time. Geeta’s organizational skills helped keep everything going smoothly.  With the grace of God we have been able to manage.

What advice do you have for young aspiring doctors?

Follow your passion. But as you do that, always think of the needy and offer help where it is needed. Seva is a very important aspect for life. I would urge people to look into spiritual development. Yoga and meditation are very useful tools to explore spirituality.

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