Katrina Sheikh describes herself as a doctor and painter who is inspired by gin and champagne. But there’s more to Sheikh than the two hats she dons. In an exclusive chat with Asian Voice, Katrina Sheikh told us, “I am half Pakistani, from my late Father’s side and my Mother is half Polish and half Ukrainian. I think there is even some Russian and German down the line too! I was born in Nottingham but grew up in Solihull, the West Midlands.”
Here are a few excerpts from our Q&A:
Q: How do you juggle between your medical duties and art at the same time, and that too, with such amazing work?
Ah, thank you. I’m not going to lie, it is difficult. Clinical work can be exhausting as you can imagine, especially with the pandemic and being put on emergency rotas. Even being on-call, days can be 13 hours on average, sometimes more with the commute. You literally only have time to eat and sleep before going to work the next day. I write myself off any social engagements when I am on-call. I suffered with what I call “painter’s block” and did not paint for 6 months until recently. It wasn’t even a case of being tired, I just didn’t feel like it. For me, I have to be inspired and my mind will tell me when I am ready. This can even be at 3 am! I have been known to paint in the middle of the night.
Q: In both your endeavours, as a medical professional and as an artist, how does your heritage help you in dealing with a diverse set of patients, co-workers and customers?
I am very lucky to come from a multi-cultural background, despite not being able to speak Polish or Urdu. I can’t blame my parents because they really did try! I laugh and say that I can speak Latin though, which I guess is helpful for understanding medical jargon!
When it comes to patients, everyone is interested to know my “background” and I always ask them to guess because no one gets it right! I can speak a few words here and there and always do try with patients. It does make them smile especially some of the naughty words!
I love learning about other peoples’ backgrounds and cultures and am very keen to embrace diversity in the workplace.
Q: How is your view/perspective of South Asian society different from the rest of the community, considering you’re from mixed-race?
This is a difficult one. I don’t see myself as “mixed-race” or coming from a certain background. The only time I do is when I have to tick the ethnic minority box for HR! I just see myself as me. I can’t explain it. I just look at someone and never see the colour of their skin first but actually how they are as a person.
My late father was a psychiatrist and always welcomed diversity and inclusivity in the workplace and wrote many articles on mixed-race marriages. I would like to think people would embrace each other from whatever background they are and how they act like human beings.
Q: How has the pandemic influenced or changed your approach towards medicine and art?
I am so proud to work for the NHS. Throughout the pandemic, we all came together whether it was out of fear, or because we had no choice. We have all seen things we wish never to see again and I feel we all have a mutual understanding and respect for each other because of what we have been through.
I have a special interest in leadership at the NHS and the pandemic has only pushed me further to pursue more projects such as my work with ‘You Okay, Doc?’, which is a mental health and wellbeing charity for doctors. As an Ambassador for the charity, I talk about my art with other doctors and how it contributes to my own wellbeing. I think it is paramount we look after ourselves first because then we can look after our patients with safety.
As I mentioned earlier, art took a back seat but I have slowly got back into it and I look forward to painting more.
Q: As a South Asian woman who is successful and independent (which is a rare phenomenon even today), what do you think worked for you in your journey despite all odds?
I think the way I was brought up by my family has helped significantly. I was very lucky to have an excellent education where my school, both primary and secondary welcomed diversity and embraced different cultures.
Throughout my career, I have only had people see me for me, and my achievements as a doctor and not the colour of my skin. I am fully aware that I am very lucky and being mixed race, I am not sure if this has anything to do with it. I really hope, in this day and age people would just value others on their skills and personality and not the colour of their skin but unfortunately, racism is still very prominent having recently seen this during the Euros.
I am so grateful to my parents for bringing me up with such good values and morals. I am also not afraid to call out any behaviour that I see as racist towards another person or any undermining in the workplace and that is why I have taken up the position of Speak up Champion at my Trust. I want people to feel safe in their working environment and enjoy coming to work.
