Sanjay Parashar

Dr Sanjay Parashar, moved from Australia to Dubai in 2005 with the dream of making Dubai the Beverly Hills of the Middle East and become one of the best plastic surgeons in the world.

Dr Parashar is the founder and chairman of Cocoona Centre for Aesthetic Transformation and Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeons by Cocoona. He is also the chairman scientific, Emirates Plastic Surgery Society, as well as chairman of Topline, a medical software and IT systems company, and Pioneer Meditech, a product marketing company.

He runs and practices at Cocoona Centre for Aesthetic Transformation along with a team of 25 handpicked cosmetic surgeons and doctors from around the world. He takes extreme pride in the quality of surgeons and medical practitioners he has made available to the UAE and the region at Cocoona. Some of the names feature in the World Top 20 Plastic surgeons, and a handful of them are celebrity favourites around the world.

“Dubai is not just a land of opportunity, it’s the land of life,” says Dr Parashar.

“Since I have moved here, it’s just been wonderful. While I am pursuing my dream, the city has given me everything that is needed to succeed. The Brand Dubai has made things much easier for me. The infrastructure, the governance, the facilities, education system, safety, security, travel opportunities… I can go on. It’s the warmest embrace one could get on earth. I love Dubai and the UAE.”

Philanthropic actions

Dr Parashar is a surgeon, writer, professor, entrepreneur and a dad. He has performed more than 13,000 surgeries and written two books, the proceeds of which have been donated towards the treatment of children born with cleft lips. Not only does he perform the surgeries himself for free, he also funds them.

In addition to these books, Dr Parashar has contributed in a few, written a host of medical papers, and often travels around to world to share is knowledge with his peers and students.

Dr Parashar has also supported and treated women who have suffered acid attacks, with surgeries and treatments that help them rehabilitate.

He supports a school, Zunki Primary School, in Zunki, a small town in India. He started supporting with donating for basic facilities as computer education and sports education. Today, the school has grown and has been chosen by the Government of India as a pilot project for e-learning and is being used an example on how to build e-learning in small towns.

Dr Parashar’s typical 14-hour day is full of consultations, surgeries, management meetings and learning. The motivation behind his success is a great love and support from his family. Dr Sanjay is supported by his wife Dr Sangeeta in his businesses. She operates as CEO, taking care of everything and anything at the centres.

“I would not be half the man I am today if it was not for Sangeeta,” he says. “She dropped her practice for medicine for me and my dream. She stayed in the back offices and made things happen that I don’t even know exist. I take a lot of things for granted because of her, she has kept me moving. Her support, selflessness and can-do attitude are the true reason for our success.”

Blessed with two smart kids, Dr Parashar’s daughter Sanjana is currently working in Mumbai for a geopolitical risk firm as a geopolitical risk analyst and plans to be a humanitarian.

She will soon be leaving for Europe to take a course on human rights and humanitarian action. Sidhanth, Dr Parashar’s son, just started his bachelor’s degree in economics with econometrics in Canada.

What is the biggest leadership lesson you learned in 2020 amid the pandemic? 

The coronavirus pandemic has reemphasised the power of unity, basics, health and skills. While we are forced to be alone, working in unity can only help us beat this pandemic.

We all have been spoilt and taken things for granted. It has taught us the power of knowing the basics very well, to be able to do what you want with the minimum means and resources. How health is above all and how making it a priority is important.

A small cough gave us shivers! The lockdown gave us a chance to look into our skills. It forced the human race to be creative.

What do you think the biggest game changer will be over the next five years?

If we only knew! The biggest game changer will be the ability to keep a growth mindset. The majority of the world is likely to base decisions of what happened in 2020 and is happening today. They may be frugal, being frugal is easy and always advised, but being optimistic is key to opening new doors. It is on people like us to drive the positive post-pandemic sentiment.