Dr Sheraz Anjum has used his experiences throughout his life to help him be a better doctor and open up doors for others. Photo: Keeli Dyson.
An orthopaedic surgeon’s story from being raised in a developing country to changing Illawarra patients’ lives has been shaped by determination and dedication, with his passion for family and community continuing to shine through as he gives back to society.
Growing up in Pakistan, Sheraz Anjum didn’t have an extravagant childhood, but he learnt valuable lessons about morals and sacrifice from a young age.
“My parents were not educated and my father was in the police when I was born, and bribery is one of the key factors in Third World countries, so he decided he didn’t want to raise his family on bribery and decided he would go to Saudi Arabia,” Sheraz said.
“He started driving taxis over there to raise us.”
Despite their own lack of formal education, his parents placed great value on schooling, so Sheraz was determined to show his appreciation through dedication to his studies.
He worked hard to go above what was expected, achieving high levels every step of the way despite his school having no classrooms, with classes taking place outdoors until Year 9.
“I thought, ‘My father is doing this for me, so I have to do something for him’,” Sheraz said.
“For me, the only time I came second in my class was Year 4, and I was second by just one mark.
“My idea was I have to do something to change the fate of my family, because once one person gets educated, it changes generations to come.”
Two months before Sheraz was to sit his important Year 10 exams, his grandfather died, just weeks after being diagnosed with cancer.
“When my grandfather died of cancer, that was when I decided that I wanted to go to medical school,” Sheraz said.
“He was the closest person in my life.
“It’s been almost 35 years and I still miss him.”
That loss was felt particularly hard on the day he received his results and found out he had come first in the whole district.
Sheraz’s parents made further sacrifices to ensure he could attend the best college, which led into medical school and set him on the path to surgery, eventually specialising in foot and ankle procedures.
“I was a third-year medical student when I decided that I wanted to be a surgeon,” Sheraz said.
“By the time I was a fifth-year medical student, a couple of family members had lost their feet to diabetes and I thought I needed to do something.”
He went on to lead orthopaedic specialists in the second-largest city in Pakistan, and although he hadn’t planned to leave the country, conflict eventually led him to take up a position in Saudi Arabia and eventually move to Australia.
Only knowing a distant family member, Sheraz navigated completely new experiences as a fellow at Liverpool Hospital, where he received a great deal of support from colleagues.
“That was the first time I was basically seeing a white population,” Sheraz said.
“I was surprised to see so much multiculturalism.
“Those days, I think they changed my life even more. The acceptance I got, the kind of guidance that I got, that was unbelievable. And that helped me to make up my mind that I should be calling this country my home.”
He then pursued his specialty, becoming the first Pakistani-born doctor to be accredited as an orthopaedic surgeon in the country.
“I applied to the college and I was the first candidate from Pakistan who got accepted,” Sheraz said.
“I think that was my biggest achievement.
“From that humble background to come to Australia and be accepted as an orthopaedic surgeon, I opened the door for my generations and that was, I think, the highlight of my career at that point.”
Upon finishing his accreditation, Sheraz found a career opportunity in the Illawarra and hasn’t looked back.
He now heads the orthopaedics departments at the Wollongong and Shellharbour public hospitals, and practises in the private hospital, the day surgery and Joint Vision Orthopaedic Group.
And he said he still had more to give.
“The day you feel like you have achieved everything and you are the best doctor and you stop learning, that’s the day you professionally die — there is always room to expand,” Sheraz said.
“I came with two empty hands to a point where I am very fortunate that I am quite successful with my practice, I’ve achieved the biggest honour as head of department, my colleagues help me to be what I am and then the community has given me everything.
“I would like to serve them as long as possible and I want to teach as many surgeons as possible.
“Outside Australia, I’m trying to establish the Foot and Ankle Society in India and Pakistan.
“I go twice a year to Pakistan, I host seminars, I teach them.”
And even after all these years, his father’s words still guide him, and his own journey of highs and lows helps shape his approach.
“He said, ‘Whenever you see anybody and you have to speak to them as their doctor to get their history and treat them, think like you are working on my body. You have a story; listen to their story.’
“That helps me to be modest and humble. I don’t judge people based on their race, religion, colour or wealth that they have. I judge people based on the way they act with you and with others.
“I want to make sure that I don’t forget those things.”
