Dr Deepika Ponnappa’s journey into medicine was shaped by a simple yet meaningful suggestion from her father: “Choose a path where you can do good in the world.” That idea guided her through clinical training and later into healthcare consulting and leadership roles across organisations like Deloitte, HCL Avitas, and IKS Health.
Over the years, she noticed a consistent gap – pediatric care was largely reactive. “Children came in when they were unwell, and most systems were built around managing illness, not promoting wellness,” she recalls. “There was very little focus on how to support healthy growth, development, and preventive care – all in one place.”
This realisation led her to co-found HealthLand Clinics, a pediatric platform designed to shift the focus from treatment to proactive, family-centered care. The clinics aim to make every visit – whether for a check-up, a vaccine, or a developmental assessment – comfortable and child-friendly. Attention is given not just to medical protocols, but to how children and parents experience the space.
“Design matters,” she says. “We have worked on creating calming environments, open consultation spaces, and team behaviours that help children feel safe and parents feel heard.”
At HealthLand, care includes regular milestone tracking, nutritional guidance, early sensory screenings, and parental education – all integrated into a smooth, accessible system of care.
Her time at ISB (PGP, Class of 2009) gave her the tools to build that system. “ISB helped me think beyond operations and see the bigger picture – how to scale thoughtfully, how to design with intent, and how to lead a team with purpose.”
To fellow clinicians looking to take on broader roles, her message is clear:
“You don’t need to leave medicine to build something different. You just need to apply what you’ve learned – at a system level.”
(Dr. Deepika Ponnappa is an alumna of the ISB PGP Class of 2009. This story is part of the series curated on the occasion of Doctors’ Day 2025).