DR. MANIKA GIRDHAR, owner of Hinsdale Asthma and Allergy Center, has been in the medical field from the beginning. Growing up, she watched her mother treat patients at the practice that has now become her own. She’s been a practicing physician for 13 years and an allergist for 10 years.

Who is your role model?

My mother. She is phenomenal, strong, and so intelligent and she has been my inspiration with everything in my life.

How do you impact your clients?

I love what I do, and I love helping people! When I look for a physician for myself and my family, I look for someone I can implicitly trust to care for us—that’s what I strive to be for my patients. I aim to treat my patients like I would my family because at the end of the day, I took an oath to take care of them to the best of my ability, and that is what I want for them. It is my goal to help my patients understand their conditions the best they can, so they are not afraid, and they feel empowered. I always spend as much time answering my patient’s questions that they need and never want them to feel rushed. They are putting their trust in me to get them to a healthier place.

What advice would you give to future Power Women?

Try your best and the rest will come. Do the right thing, treat people well, don’t judge, and the rest will follow.

For more information, visit hinsdaleallergy.com.