In this episode of Womanity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Dr. Candice Royal, a paediatrician and allergy specialist, who shares her compelling journey through medicine, motherhood, and meaning.

Dr. Royal reflects on her early desire to become a paediatrician, a dream seeded in childhood and fulfilled through hard work, resilience, and a deep commitment to helping children thrive. She details the unexpected path that led her into the emerging field of allergology, where she now plays a vital role in treating some of the most common and overlooked chronic conditions affecting children today, for example, allergies and eczema, particularly within the South African context.

Dr. Royal gives us insight into her dual working worlds. Her private practice, which she intentionally designed to be a nurturing and empowering space for families, and her work in the public sector at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, where she reconnects with the purpose of medicine in its purest form. Her reflections on building a practice from the ground up, one that is as emotionally supportive as it is medically sound, provide insights into compassionate healthcare entrepreneurship.

We explore how gender dynamics have shaped her medical journey, especially the pressures and biases she faced as a mother while training to become a specialist. Dr. Royal speaks candidly about overcoming doubts, often self-imposed, and encourages women to support each other rather than compete, especially in male-dominated sectors. Her story is a bold testament to the belief that women can be doctors, business owners, mothers, athletes – and excel at all of it.

In her role with the Allergy Foundation of South Africa, Dr. Royal also champions access to accurate, evidence-based information to combat medical misinformation, especially around childhood allergies. She discusses how women, particularly mothers, are at the frontline of their children’s health and need more systemic support to fulfil that role effectively.

Beyond her professional commitments, Dr. Royal shares personal anecdotes, from training for Comrades Marathons to raising her children. She illustrates how life, like medicine, is best navigated with perseverance, passion, and a sense of purpose.

Dr. Royal weaves a powerful message: pursue your passions relentlessly, build supportive networks, embrace imperfection, and believe in the possibility of balancing a life of impact and joy.

Tune in for more…