Ranjeeta Vinil: God Always Finds You a Way When the Intentions are Noble Date:   Tuesday , May 19, 2015 Getting diagnosed with a terrifying disease like cancer typically makes one to shut down mentally. It puts them through an emotional roller coaster of fear, grief, anger, guilt and depression. Conversely, the high-assertive Ranjeeta Vinil, Director of Saarathi Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., Saarathi Healthcare Services, Vivra Wellness and Trustee of Saarathi Foundation stands apart at the other end of the spectrum, since her resolute only grew stronger when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at the prime of her corporate career. Realizing the challenges (diet, exercise, compliance to drug, psychosocial aspects and side effects) one had to endure to cope with cancer, propelled her to become an entrepreneur and produce a solution that enables patients to surmount those challenges. Knack for Evolving Innovative Strategies When Ranjeeta launched India\'s first comprehensive disease management program in 2001 as Aventis\' brand manager, the unheard concept attracted a lot of media coverage. However, the eye opener was her endeavours as head of patient relations management (PRM), where she met diverse patients. She gradually learnt that treatment outcomes are not solely dependent on drugs but it involves various aspects such as psychological support, motivation, understanding of the disease and its management. As fate would have it, she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006! Being a cancer survivor, her love for PRM metamorphosed into absolute passion, as her belief in the need of PRM had been strongly re-affirmed. Albeit Ranjeeta conceptualized several innovative strategies like setting up a PRM vertical as the VP-Marketing at Medicine Shoppe, she soon realized that patient service needs more focused attention. Moreover, her mentor encouraged her as he noticed that she has a kind heart as well as brilliant mind to grasp the requirements within the whole PRM chain. Thus Ranjeeta\'s unwavering attention and sheer zeal brought Saarathi Healthcare Services � a one-stop-shop for disease management solutions, to life in 2008 with the idea to handhold patients through the wilderness by going beyond prescription. Saarathi\'s solutions helps to build patient relations by proactively understanding and servicing patient needs to increase focus on chronic therapy compliance for patient well being, satisfaction and better disease outcomes. Backbreaking Challenges Yes. Ranjeeta has 18 years of experience in dealing with numerous companies and has expertise in multiple therapy areas. But, being an individual with limited resources, who is trying to sell a nascent concept in an industry which wasn\'t ready to pay for such conceptual service, unsurprisingly Ranjeeta\'s journey was fraught with backbreaking challenges. She had to grapple for every basic necessity like getting office space & license and recruiting people. But there was no looking back for the strong-willed first generation entrepreneur Ranjeeta. True to the saying \'God always finds you a way when the intentions are noble\' a few companies believed in Saarathi\'s skill. \"I am still thankful to Dr. Reddy\'s Laboratories for giving me our first project, UCB the second and Novartis to hire me as consultant,\" reminisces a grateful Ranjeeta. Within a few months, Saarathi\'s client portfolio was ornamented with top seven pharmaceutical companies. Aside from solid support, passion and faith of her team, initial feedback from clients and patients fuelled Saarathi\'s engine. Having efficient deliveries as the motto of the company, delighting customers is more than just a routine in Saarathi. Hence, Ranjeeta inculcates a family environment in the India office to enable everyone to work with dedication. The Marvellous Rise Established in a tiny facility near Mumbai, run by one woman, today Saarathi has emerged into one of the largest PRM company and is much closer to its vision of democratizing healthcare worldwide by expanding operations in PAN India & globally including Singapore, Vietnam and Cambodia with over 300 educators (as Ranjeeta refers her employees). As Ranjeeta had to invest immense effort and time, her husband Vinil and son further boosted her by being emotionally kind and extremely understanding throughout the journey. \"It is the belief, trust and tremendous support of my family that enabled me to pursue my dreams. They don\'t make it complicated,\" says a proud Ranjeeta. When asked to share a few words of advice for young entrepreneurs, she adds, \"You need to be very patient and proffer your 100 percent. The journey will be challenging, but all the effort we invest to become a successful entrepreneur will be incredibly satisfying at the end. After all we would\'ve dreamt of becoming an entrepreneur for a reason and we are following our own passion\". Ranjeeta is ambitious to reach out to more people across the globe and positively impact their lives and strives today to do the same. Panel Achievements Touched more than 5 lakh patient lives Awards & Recognitions Emerging Entrepreneur [India] Award: UBM Pharma Awards - 2014 FOGSI Best Women Achiever-2014 Rajeev Gandhi Shiromani Award Nomination-2013 OPPI Marketing Excellence Award & Star of the Industry Award for Year-2014 for Campaign Sambhav Invited by then Chief Minister Narendra Modi in 2013 to Conclave of Entrepreneurs Social Responsibility to Gandhi Nagar and many more. 5th INDY\'s Award for Best CSR for Live Beyond Epilepsy-2011