Dr. Suganda “Dr. Kung” Jenjarat works in the operating room. Most patients may not remember her, because she is an anesthesiologist specializing in cardiac, aortic and thoracic surgery. She cares for patients during general anesthesia, spinal anesthesia, sedation for procedures, and surgery. Whatever the method of anesthesia, her role is essential to making surgery safe while leaving patients with as little pain as possible.
How does it feel to be the doctor who works behind the scenes, and what led her to choose the path of anesthesiology? This is her story.
Finding the Path She Truly Loves
“I had to hide the application form, because when my father saw that I had applied to other faculties, he almost threw it away.”
Dr. Suganda recalls the time she applied for university. As the middle daughter among three sisters, she had her own interests in architecture or accounting, while her father hoped all of his daughters would study medicine. That expectation eventually shaped the first major decision of her life.
“Try taking the medical school exam for me first. If it doesn’t work out, then you can do what you want.”
With those words from her father, she agreed to apply to medical school and entered Vajira Hospital Faculty of Medicine. At first, she studied out of a sense of family duty rather than passion. Medical school felt tiring and stressful, but her family remained the most important source of encouragement that helped her through those difficult years.
After graduation, she worked as a new doctor in Phuket, rotating through different departments and learning from real patients. That period helped her understand people and herself more deeply. When it was time to choose a specialty, she realized she was drawn to the operating room, procedures, and the precise work surrounding surgery. Anesthesiology began to stand out.
“I felt it must be wonderful, because it was special.”
At first, her father did not agree. He saw anesthesiology as a behind-the-scenes role. With her mother’s understanding and support, however, the family came to see that after completing medical school, choosing a specialty she truly loved would make her happier.
Anesthesiology turned out to be broader and more fascinating than she had imagined: general anesthesia, spinal blocks, nerve blocks for pain control, sedation, and even careful monitoring without medication. Each patient is different, and every plan must be personalized. She cares for patients before surgery, throughout the time they are asleep, as they wake up, and during pain control after surgery.
“When I became an anesthesiologist, seeing patients sleep safely, wake up with a smile, recover from illness, and return to their lives made me love this work. Even though I am behind the scenes, this is who I am.”
Her interest in ultrasound-guided nerve blocks once led her to plan further study abroad. But after a sudden family loss involving her mother’s illness and cardiac complications, she chose to remain close to her father and family, placing family care above everything else.
She ultimately trained in cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia. This field not only allows her to care for patients undergoing major surgery, but also deepens the knowledge needed to support every patient who requires anesthesia. She trained at the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital and continued subspecialty training at Chulalongkorn University before becoming a faculty physician at Vajira Hospital and later joining BNH Hospital in 2024.
“The interview took three hours, even longer than a board examination. I believe the team saw that choosing a full-time anesthesiologist is important. Beyond ability and experience, communication and personality matter. We often coordinate between patients, surgeons, nurses, anesthetists and the ICU. Good teamwork keeps patients safe.”
Her journey confirms that becoming part of the BNH medical team requires more than knowledge and experience. A good attitude, clear communication and an understanding of the hospital culture all help a doctor prove herself in the role.
A Good Atmosphere Creates Safety and Trust
As an Asian female doctor with a small frame, she is sometimes mistaken for being younger or less experienced, and occasionally even for a nurse. In reality, she has been an anesthesiologist for more than 10 years. Her challenge is to help patients trust her.
“Atmosphere is very important. Patients come to surgery with worry and fear. We may be used to it, but they are not. Beyond the essential medical information, calmness, comfort and a sense of safety are crucial.”
“Different cultures shape different expectations. Thai patients and international patients may be concerned about different things, so I try to notice and remember what each person needs.”
“I try to understand each patient as much as possible while they wait for surgery. Do they prefer conversation or quiet? Are they cold? What music do they like? For little patients, sometimes we talk about ice cream or fish to help them feel comfortable before an MRI.”
She believes that small details can help patients open their hearts to an anesthesiologist. “Our role is like that of a pilot from takeoff to landing. Even behind the scenes, we must plan carefully. Our readiness, the team’s readiness, and the patient’s readiness all matter. Patient safety always comes first.”
An anesthesiologist’s work starts before surgery: assessing the patient, preparing anesthesia, and preparing airway equipment. After anesthesia begins, she monitors the patient throughout the operation, watching vital signs, oxygen levels and blood loss, while managing fluids and stability.
“There may be small details to discuss with surgeons every day. Some patients have underlying diseases, and if anything is incomplete, we must help complete it. We work as a team, taking histories, examining patients, consulting internists and preparing each patient as well as possible.”
When surgery is complete, waking the patient also requires the right timing and care. Medication must wear off safely, breathing must be appropriate, and vital signs must remain stable. Good pain control after surgery helps patients recover faster, lowers the risk of complications and may allow them to return home sooner.
Anesthesiology requires speed, precision and meticulous attention. With experience, she has become calmer, steadier and more complete in her practice.
“My patients usually fear one of two things: not falling asleep, or not waking up. Both fears are understandable. Conversation, reassurance and sometimes simply holding a hand can greatly reduce anxiety. Many patients share important details with us because they worry about anesthesia, and we bring everything together for complete care in the BNH way.”
Few patients remember their anesthesiologist, and that is normal. In the past, she sometimes felt a little disappointed when patients woke up and remembered only the surgeon.
“Patients would say, ‘My surgeon was excellent. I didn’t feel pain at all.’ I would smile and think that the surgeon performed the operation, but the person who helped make it painless was the anesthesiologist. Still, if the patient is comfortable and safe, I am happy.”
Falling in Love with Carbohydrates, Coffee and Seeing the World
(But first, coffee…)
As a child, she disliked physical education and often escaped to sit under a tree while her friends played. She feared balls, disliked the heat and never imagined she would enjoy exercise. But her love of carbohydrates changed everything.
“I love rice, bread and latte very much.”
The joy of good food encouraged her to exercise so she could stay healthy and continue enjoying what she loves. Tennis helped her focus, while running and Pilates became choices when time was limited. Over time, exercise became more than a way to balance food; it became a source of physical health, mental clarity and quiet time with herself.
Outside work, she enjoys staying home, watching movies, listening to music and taking care of herself. When she has the opportunity, she loves traveling abroad and discovering the world. “I want to keep traveling until I no longer have the strength. I will keep collecting experiences little by little.”
Turning Dreams into Beautiful Memories
Although anesthesiology is a behind-the-scenes profession and many patients do not remember their anesthesiologist, that never reduces the happiness she finds in the role.
“Patients meet us when they are anxious and afraid, and they are with us while they sleep. It is natural that they may not remember us. Even without greetings or thanks, seeing them safe, smiling and able to go home is enough to make me happy.”
“Now I understand my work clearly. The picture in my mind is very clear. I feel happy and enjoy what I do. I love being an anesthesiologist. It is who I am.”
If you ever meet Dr. Suganda, become her patient, or feel as if you recognize her from a dream, it may truly be because you met her in a dream while under anesthesia. A simple greeting to this doctor behind the scenes could make her day in a very meaningful way.
The role of an anesthesiologist is much like that of a pilot, from takeoff to landing. Even behind the scenes, every step must be carefully planned: the readiness of the doctor, the team and the patient. The goal is always patient safety, because every minute in the operating room, someone they love is waiting for them.
