✨Translated by AI

Dr. Nawaporn Assawasaksakul: A Calm Nephrologist and Avid Reader Who Listens with Heart

A Doctor Known for Her Patience

– Dr. Nawaporn Assawasaksakul –

At BNH Hospital’s Heart, Kidney & Metabolism Centre, patients who meet Dr. Nawaporn Assawasaksakul, a nephrologist, often remark on her calm, gentle nature. This peacefulness puts people at ease and helps her connect deeply with those in her care. While she embodies professionalism, her journey into medicine is full of heart, humour, and surprising turns – from her early dreams of counting banknotes to becoming a kidney specialist.

Childhood Dreams and Unexpected Paths

“My childhood dream was to count money. I loved counting banknotes! So I thought being a cashier would be fun. Later, I wanted to be a bus conductor and use those ticket punchers. But as I got older, the dreams faded.”

In high school, she imagined working in an office, dressing up for work. But with no strong career aspirations, she followed her pharmacist parents’ wishes and chose to study medicine, just like her sister.

After completing six years at Chulalongkorn University, she spent her government service in a rural hospital in Sisaket, near the Cambodian border. For a Bangkok native, it was a different world.

“I’d drive past chickens and cows, walk through forest paths to get to the hospital. There were no petrol stations. My doctor’s quarters didn’t have showers. I had to bathe with a water bowl. But despite the hardship, it was a fun experience.”

She even brought her childhood nanny to help with daily tasks like cooking, since local food wasn’t always accessible.

Learning to Serve

Living in rural Thailand taught her about the barriers patients face in accessing care. She managed general medicine and even handled emergency deliveries—some in ambulances or emergency rooms.

She delivered so many babies that some mothers named their children “Nawaporn” in her honour.

Despite her experience in obstetrics, she felt more at home in emergency medicine and pursued further study in that field. But after three years, she realised it wasn’t the right fit. She switched to internal medicine, then spent two more years specialising in nephrology.

“Why nephrology? Honestly, because a senior promised free textbooks if I joined,” she laughed.

As a book lover, she couldn’t resist. She received over ten books authored by department professors and discovered she truly enjoyed the field.

She has worked at BNH Hospital ever since – now for over seven years.

Team-Based, Holistic Care

“BNH isn’t a huge hospital, so all the doctors know each other. It’s easy to consult and refer cases. That’s one of the charms here.”

Her emergency medicine background gave her broad clinical skills valuable for identifying early-stage conditions beyond kidney health. She takes a holistic view, aligning with BNH’s Complete Care model, which encourages early detection and collaborative care across departments.

“We have to look beyond just physical symptoms. Patients may have emotional, social, or financial issues too. It’s all connected.”

Listening Over Speaking

Dr. Nawaporn describes herself as a listener. She gives patients time to speak without interruption or judgement, an approach that helps uncover important lifestyle factors that affect treatment outcomes.

“Sometimes patients do things that worsen their conditions without realising it. If we don’t ask the right questions or just don’t listen, we’ll miss the real cause.”

Books, Sisterhood, and Childhood Roots

“I love reading any genre. I read fast too, which is a big advantage. Sometimes I finish while others are still halfway.”

Though she’s a quick reader, she forgets storylines easily unless they’re tied to her life, meaning she can reread the same book and enjoy it each time. But with medical books, she’s meticulous. “What I need to remember is to make sure I do.”

Books have been her lifelong friends. As a child, she preferred quiet reading over playgrounds. But her outgoing younger sister helped draw her out of her shell.

“She would ask why I waited for our mum to make the first move. She challenged me to be more open, and I slowly changed.”

Now both sisters are doctors. They still discuss cases, and her children are closer to their aunt than to her, she jokes.

A Gentle Temperament

“I’m patient, I take time to think. I’ve never lost my temper at a patient. If they don’t follow advice, I assume they’re probably unwell or in pain.”

She credits this serenity to her daily prayer practice.

“I’m not overly religious, but I pray every day. It helps me slow down, reduce stress, and feel grounded.”

She started praying during a high-risk pregnancy, when she experienced bleeding. Her mother advised her to pray alongside medical treatment. She and her baby came through safely, and she has prayed nightly ever since.

“My prayers are long, some are over ten pages. I spend about 15 minutes each night.”

She also began giving alms during her time in Sisaket, sparked partly by her fear of ghosts.

“At night, I kept hearing someone call me, but no one was there. It happened every night. After that, I started giving alms.”

Now, prayer and generosity are tools she uses to cope with stress and the unexplainable.

A Mother and Mentor

Outside of work, she devotes her time to her two children. Travelling with them is still a challenge.

“Last time we flew, one of them pointed to Business Class and asked to sit there. I had to say, ‘Sweetheart, Mummy can’t afford that. Let’s go back to Economy.’”

Though such moments are relatable for any parent, they reflect her deeper value: not burdening others.

“I tell my kids to do what you want, but don’t make it hard for others.”

She once made that mistake – suppressing her voice to avoid being a burden, which only created internal stress. Now, she teaches her children to respect others and themselves equally.

“I want to be a mother who gives them freedom to do what they love—and supports them all the way.”

Searching for New Dreams

Her daily life revolves around patients and family, far from her childhood dream of being a cashier. But that doesn’t mean she’s stopped dreaming.

“As adults, we know too much. Our dreams disappear. But everyone should have a dream.”

Her dream? “After I retire and my sister retires, we’ll travel the world. I want to visit every continent, see life, see people, and see the world with my own eyes.”

She adds, “I believe everyone has a role to play in life. I want to be a good doctor, treating patients as if they were family. I want to be a good mother, supporting my children’s success. And I want to be a good person every day.”