UNDIP, Semarang (17/6) – Specialist medical education not only develops clinical competence but also shapes character, integrity, and leadership. These traits are reflected in the career journey of dr. Ratna Sari Ritonga, MM, Sp.A, FISQua, an alumna of the Pediatric Specialist Medical Education Program (PPDS) at the Faculty of Medicine, Diponegoro University (FK UNDIP), who now serves as the Director of RSU Handayani in North Lampung.
dr. Ratna’s choice of FK UNDIP for her pediatric specialist training was not merely about deepening her medical knowledge. It was also about finding an academic environment capable of shaping her way of thinking, character, and commitment to service as a physician.
“From the beginning, I saw that FK UNDIP possessed a unique strength in combining academic tradition, clinical discipline, and humanitarian values. Becoming a pediatrician is a deeply meaningful choice because children symbolize the future. When we care for children, we are also safeguarding a family’s hopes and the future of the next generation,” she explained.
Her years of study at FK UNDIP were among the most significant phases of her life. The academic and clinical experiences she gained helped develop not only her ability to make medical decisions but also her understanding of patients as individuals.
According to dr. Ratna, specialist training is a transformative process that teaches physicians to progress beyond theoretical knowledge and become capable of making sound clinical decisions, working effectively in teams, and prioritizing empathy in healthcare services.
One of her most memorable experiences was caring for a critically ill pediatric patient who eventually recovered—witnessing a child smile again and seeing the parents regain hope served as a reminder that medicine is inseparable from empathy, communication, and moral responsibility.
dr. Ratna emphasized that the resident training system within FK UNDIP’s Pediatric Specialist Program played a major role in shaping her clinical independence, discipline, and professional responsibility. Through a structured and progressive supervision process, residents are guided to understand that clinical autonomy must be built upon knowledge, experience, precision, and awareness of professional boundaries.
“FK UNDIP taught us that a good doctor is not simply someone who makes decisions quickly, but someone who makes decisions accurately, ethically, and responsibly,” she said.
These lessons proved highly relevant when she was entrusted with leading RSU Handayani in North Lampung. She noted that the systematic thinking and data-driven decision-making skills she developed during her education at FK UNDIP became a crucial foundation for managing a healthcare organization.
“Leading a hospital essentially requires the ability to analyze problems, set priorities, build systems, manage resources, and make decisions with far-reaching impacts. The way of thinking I learned during my specialist education has been invaluable in carrying out these responsibilities,” she explained.
Beyond academic and clinical competencies, Dr. Ratna also learned extensively from the lecturers, supervisors, and consultant physicians who served as role models throughout her training. She believes that the example set by FK UNDIP’s educators significantly influenced her leadership style.
“My mentors taught me how to be firm without belittling others, disciplined without losing empathy, and academically critical without closing the door to dialogue. Leadership is not merely about giving orders; it is about providing direction, maintaining standards, and helping others grow,” she said.
As both an alumna and a hospital director, dr. Ratna believes that FK UNDIP’s education remains highly relevant in addressing national and global healthcare challenges. Advances in medical technology, changing disease patterns, increasing demands for service quality, and the need for interdisciplinary collaboration require healthcare professionals who are adaptable and committed to lifelong learning.
In her view, FK UNDIP not only produces clinically competent doctors but also builds strong foundations in scientific thinking, evidence-based medicine, discipline, and social awareness—qualities that are essential in modern healthcare systems.
Closing the interview, dr. Ratna shared a message for FK UNDIP students and current residents.
“Do not focus solely on graduation or earning a degree. Strive for depth of knowledge, maturity of thought, strength of character, and sensitivity to human suffering. Society needs not only intelligent doctors but also trustworthy doctors who possess integrity and have a genuine heart for service.”
dr. Ratna Sari Ritonga’s journey demonstrates that education at FK UNDIP produces not only competent specialist physicians but also healthcare leaders capable of making a meaningful impact on society. Through a combination of academic excellence, character development, and humanitarian values, FK UNDIP continues to cultivate healthcare professionals prepared to meet the challenges of Indonesia’s future. (Public Communication/FK UNDIP/Saradita)
Source: the official website of FK UNDIP.