Alexandria Living caught up with Dr. Rina Bansal, president of Inova Alexandria Hospital.
Q: Inova is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. If you could travel back in time, what would you say to the founders of the hospital?
A: I would start off by simply saying WOW! For a group of women dating back to 1872 to have the vision, the will power and the courage to take on this huge undertaking was truly remarkable and inspirational. I would also say thank you, to express my personal gratitude as well on behalf of my team for laying the foundation of a great institution that has persevered for 150 years to serve its community. Julia Johns, the daughter of an Episcopal bishop created a “society to establish and control a hospital for the sick” in 1872, and, with the help of a board of female trustees, opened the Alexandria Infirmary on Duke and South Fairfax streets, which then became the Alexandria Hospital.
Q: As you celebrate Inova's history, plans are afoot for a new hospital. Can you tell us a bit about it?
A: It will be a state-of-the-art facility that is being designed to meet healthcare needs of the future. For example, having been through the recent pandemic, we have realized how important it is to have negative pressure rooms. In the new hospital all rooms will have this capability. Its design and layout are focused on maximizing well being for both patients and team members. We are focused on creating spaces that are open, inviting, easy to navigate and maximize use of natural light. There will also be a lot of green spaces on campus. The new hospital campus will provide the community with access to cancer services, subspecialists and a state of the art hospital all on one site.
Q: Can you tell our readers where you grew up and what inspired you to get into the medical field?
A: I have grown up everywhere! I was born in Northern Ireland and grew up in India till I was 14. Subsequently I went to high school in Shawnee, Kansas and did a BS in Genetics and BA in Biology at University of Kansas. In 1996, I moved to Montreal, Quebec to pursue a MD/MBA at McGill University. After medical school, I did my internal medicine training at University of California, San Francisco. I have been with Inova since 2008.Throughout my life, my aspiration has been to help others. Growing up in India, I saw a lot of poverty, illness and even death. I wanted to be a doctor ever since I was little because I wanted to help people.
Interesting facts:
- You'd be surprised to learn that I: Climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro
- If I weren't in my current profession, I'd like to try: Being a professional dancer.
- My favorite movie is: "Love Actually"
- What I enjoy most about Alexandria is: Its history and its people.
- My pet peeve is: People being late to meetings.
- I'm most proud of: My children and my hospital team.
- A dream I have is to: Start a non-profit to improve access to education and health.
