Originating from the vibrant streets of Shivajinagar in Bangalore, Dr.Farman’s story is a tapestry of ambition, commitment, and an unyielding love for his roots. Ask him to introduce himself, and he describes himself as a doctor with an extraordinary sense of responsibility. He sees medical practice as a way to serve his people. Having completed his MBBS at Sri Devaraj’s Urs Medical College, a government institution, he went on to pursue his Master's degree at Bangalore Medical College and completed his liver transplant training at HCG Healthcare, Bangalore. Dr Farman envisions using his expertise and passion to uplift the lives of his community.
When asked about why he chose the field of medicine, he narrated, “When I was in the 6th standard my uncle underwent a heart surgery by Dr Devi Prasad Shetty. So my aunt kind of explained to me what the surgery was. She drew a diagram of the heart and she told me what valves are and how this happens. So that day in 6th standard, I decided that I wanted to be a surgeon in my life.”
His journey wasn't without its challenges. “As a son of a security guard I've run around for scholarships half of my life and I was one of the first students to pursue medicine in a batch dominated by classmates pursuing engineering,” said Dr Farman when asked about the start of his medical journey. The heart of his story lies in his unshakable passion for liver transplantation. His intricate surgeries last up to 30 hours and demand not only medical expertise but also immense intuition and unwavering dedication. The responsibility of life and death does not deter him; he embraces each challenge head-on.
Dr. Farman's sources of inspiration have transformed over time. As mentioned, besides being inspired by the renowned heart surgeon Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty to take up the field of medicine, he also deeply respects and admires Dr Devi Shetty’s commitment to giving back to society and to those in need, a trait Dr Farman hopes to inculcate in his life. A full-circle moment for him was when Dr Devi Shetty awarded him with the best outgoing student at the end of his MBBS.
Today, his wife, Dr. Syeda Afshan plays a significant role in motivating him through her remarkable ability to harmonize a demanding medical career with familial obligations. This has ignited a newfound admiration within him, a testament to the strength that defines his own journey.
He believes that “If you have the clarity and the passion for what you're doing, no matter what you do. I believe that if you are passionate, you are going to make a mark. Passion defines everything.” His accolades are a testament to his skill, earning him recognition as one of the top 40 under 40 entrepreneurs in Healthcare India 2021 and the distinction of winning the British Medical Journal’s 2020 Annual Ideate contest. Today, Dr. Farman is one of sixteen liver transplant surgeons in the whole state of Karnataka.
When asked about how he manages his demanding career, he shared that his most anticipated and centring moments are during his morning prayers and subsequent yoga sessions. This routine serves as an anchor, providing him the stability and focus needed to navigate the challenges of the remainder of his day.
In addition to this, Dr Farman is currently also working towards penning down a book about self-help and running DOCFORT, an academy focused on training medical students in various fast-track medical skill programs.
As he prepares to embark on a new chapter in Toronto, in pursuit of specialized training in HPB Oncology and Abdominal Organ Transplantation, a program focusing on complex liver transplants and cancers, his heart remains firmly attached to his Bangalorean identity.
Following this, his goal is to return to India and establish a 3D Organ Printing and Transplantation Center with a desire to bring innovative medicine to his community which demonstrates a deep commitment to community development.
