The Shy Ninja: Dr. Lea Sambo's Silent Yet Mighty Impact!
This week's Friday Feature celebrates Dr. Lea Sambo, a true gem in our department. If you've had the pleasure of working with her, you know just how sweet and helpful she is. Lea has come to my rescue more times than I can count, whether it's stepping in to give me a much-needed break or calmly saving me when I’m feeling overwhelmed. She's always there with a reassuring presence.
What really sets Lea apart is her unwavering positivity and supportive nature. No matter how much we vent about something or complain, she always listens without a hint of negativity. I’ve actually never heard Lea badmouth anyone 🙏
Lea never makes anyone feel silly; she offers her help with a gentle, non-judgmental approach, simply stepping in without questions or pointing out what could have been done differently.
What I admire most about Dr Sambo is her incredible respectful nature !! She treats everyone around her with such pure genuine respect, a rare find in todays time. Her kindness and respect extend to everyone she meets—patients, nurses, surgeons, and seniors alike. She's a shining example of how to treat others, making everyone feel valued and seen, her mama did a great job !!
Lea doesn't seek approval, praise, or the spotlight. She quietly goes about her work, achieving great things without a fuss. Her humility and dedication are truly inspiring, and we can all learn a lot from her example.
Lea's Insights and Fun Facts:
- What initially drew you to the field of anaesthesia, and what keeps you passionate about it?
It was the one discipline that scared me the most during my internship. I couldn’t understand it and didn’t know what was happening most of the time. That pushed me to want to know more about it. I at least needed to know how to GA someone in case I was sent off to the bundus somewhere! 😂 What fascinates me now is how we get to manipulate physiology in real-time. Not a lot of physicians can say they see results as quickly as we do. That always gets me. But, unfortunately, things can also go wrong just as quickly, which keeps us on our toes. 🤗 - Can you share a funny or memorable story from your time working in the OR?
An Orthopod once said, “At least the humerus ORIF came out beautifully” after the patient had bled out and subsequently developed heart failure on the table from all the resuscitation we had to do. I wanted the ground to swallow me. The patient was alright after a few days in ICU, thankfully. - What's something your colleagues might be surprised to learn about you?
I am very shy. 🙈 - If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
Fight... like kung-fu vibes... against bad people, of course. 😅 - What’s your go-to comfort food or comfort TV after a particularly tough day at work?
Panarottis Saucy Chicken and Bacon Supreme. - Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies outside of medicine that you’re proud of?
I am a new house plant mommy. So proud that I managed not to kill a plant. - Tell us about your love story.
I fell in love with a physician, which is worse than a surgeon.. kidding. Above being a great doctor, he is an even better human being. (Fun fact, he is a registrar at Steve Biko in internal medicine)
- If you could travel anywhere in the world for a month, where would you go and why?
Amsterdam—it looks like a cool place to visit. - Do you have a favorite quote that you live by?
"Delay is not denial." - How do you balance your work life and personal life, especially during busy periods?
Still learning how. Maybe I will have it figured out one day. - Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
I’m sorry to sound cliché, but it has to be God. - What is your dream career?
Being a rich housewife.
- Where did you grow up, and do you have any siblings?
I grew up in Hammanskraal. Lived there for most of my life. I have 3 siblings. I’m the eldest.
Thank you, Lea, for being such an incredible part of our team. Your contributions might fly under the radar, but they make a world of difference. We look forward to seeing what you achieve and follow you on this journey !!
