Dr. Manna Hagos is a medical Doctor, author, health & wellness consultant and engaging speaker. But, as you’ll learn from this chat with Stellar Woman Magazine, she’s mostly about transforming lives.
Who is Manna Hagos?
A woman, a doctor, a leader, a mentor and friend
Have you always wanted to become a physician?
No, I was initially fascinated by oceanography, geology, and astronomy. I saw a human brain for the first time in elementary school as part of a ‘Science Discovery Day’ session; it was then when I realized that the human body was the most exciting and complex entity I could study.
How do you start your day? Do you have a morning routine?
The routine is flexible depending on what projects I’m working on. I start the day thanking God that I’m alive and well. I then catch up on articles and news, connect with amazing people on social media, then have Oatmeal for breakfast.
How do you define success and failure?
My idea of success has matured. Success is no longer an all or nothing event. Understandably, there are several situations that are either a win or lose scenario (i.e., competitions, work promotions, etc.,). However, I’ve come to practice kindness with myself. If I don’t achieve a desired outcome, I may feel disappointment or frustration. That’s natural. However, I don’t berate myself. Whether we like it or not, there are a lot of times when situations or relationships don’t work out the way we’d them like to. It’s part of life. I appreciate my progress and consider consistent improvements in performance as success.
As for failure, it would be the opposite. A lack of self-awareness usually leads to poor outcomes. So, an investment in the process rather than an absolute focus on the result is what I’m continuing to develop.
Your work involves facilitating performance improvement and wellness optimization. What does that mean?
Partnering with people to improve how they feel physically and mentally by optimizing their health. When we tune into what our bodies need, we feel energized and perform at our best. My expertise in medicine, training in motivational coaching, and the unique experiences as an Eritrean-American traversing rigorous educational and professional environments have enabled me to compassionately partner with people who are eager to transform their relationships with food, work, and themselves.
What in your opinion enables academic excellence?
A meaningful reason that propels us forward, a desire to strive for excellence, and genuine support from people with good intentions.
Did you ever struggle academically in any subject area? If so, how did you overcome the struggle?
Absolutely! (chuckle). General Chemistry, sophomore year at UCLA. Everybody struggles with something at some point. Some of us struggle openly while others do so less visibly. Which, by the way, is a great reason for not comparing ourselves and our performance to others. No one is perfect.
As for how I overcame that difficulty, I zeroed in on my purpose. I reaffirmed what I wanted in life and why I wanted it. With that clarity, nothing and no one could stop me. I made the Dean’s list with a 3.9 GPA every quarter thereafter.
Your field of work is male-dominated, do you have a support system for women considering the complex challenges you have?
I am fortunate and grateful to have the support and sisterhood of wonderful women who are excellent physicians, stalwart leaders, and unwavering patient advocates. The Association of Black Women Physicians has been and is an incredible organization, I am honored to be a part of it. Whether in medicine or corporate America, a reliable support system is a must.
What has influenced your desire to be more and give more?
I have been and continue to be so blessed. There are many others however, who, for various reasons, do not have access to similar opportunities to provide security for their families or advance their social status. There are many Eritreans who lack access to healthcare, education, informed support networks, and/or employment opportunities. As a first-generation immigrant, I would like to partner with people who want to do better and give more.
What is MPL|Manna Publishing?
MPL is a digital publishing company that is focused on publishing literary works that encourage, enlighten, and enable. Our first publication is The PreMed Survival Guide, a motivational and practical guidebook for students who want to become doctors.
What influenced you to do ‘The Pre-med survival guide’?
I love this question! I mentioned that I am a first-generation immigrant and that comes with a lot of firsts! First to attend and graduate from university (UCLA), first to obtain a doctorate in medicine from the Keck School of Medicine of USC and then train as an Anesthesiologist at a Level 1 Trauma Center.
As a first-generation doctor, I learned that there is a lot more to becoming a successful doctor than just studying or getting great exam results. There is a ‘hidden curriculum’ or a specialized set of knowledge and skill sets that are needed to strategically navigate the challenges and nuanced experiences of medical education and training. I decided to create a resource that my peers and I wished we would have had, to transform students’ mindsets from self-limiting to self-actualizing. I’m excited to positively impact those whose low confidence may be hindering them from a career that they may be uniquely qualified for.
What has been the most challenging experience in your career so far? And how did you overcome it?
Building the foundations of MPL has been a challenging yet highly rewarding experience. I’ve met incredibly talented people in various sectors, and it’s been a great learning experience for me. Collaboration is necessary for advancing ideas to fruition and I’m grateful to work with and learn from talented people.
Any key lessons from your career journey as a physician?
Several! I’ll focus on two lessons:
1) Be kind to yourself. You’re the only you around and if you burn out, that doesn’t help anybody.
2) You have more time than you think to get it right (whatever it is) so, put in the work, collaborate, and enjoy your wins along the way.
Any key lessons that you can identify that cut across from your college, medical practice and as a businesswoman?
I love this question. Yes! Create a peaceful mindset rooted in truth to guide yourself forward.
You really have a full plate. How do you create life and work balance?
A wise woman once said, you can’t have everything at once but, you can have it all at different stages. I keep that in mind when I have several situations that demand my attention and time.
How do you unwind?
Meaningful, beautiful music that enables me to get out of my mind and into my heart.
What’s your life mantra?
I don’t have one.
Who, in your opinion, is a stellar woman?
A woman that embraces all that she is to become all she can be.
Please leave one challenge for our stellar woman readers to make them live a more stellar life?
Definitely! Write down 3 things you have done that you are extremely proud of. These could be things you’ve done for yourself or others. Once you have written down those 3 things, read them once a week. Remind yourself how amazing you already are and how you’re only getting better!
Dr. Manna Hagos – website: DoctorManna.com
Book: The PreMed Survival Guide: How to Get Your Mindset Right