In an exclusive conversation with Education Edge Global, Dr Vaishaly Bharambe—MBBS, MD, PhD in Anatomy—shares her remarkable journey from a young tutor at TNMC Mumbai to a globally followed medical educator and counsellor. Founder of the fast-growing YouTube channel VB Anatomy Academy, Dr Bharambe has spent over 25 years making the complex world of human anatomy engaging and accessible. With more than 55 research publications and pioneering work in virtual reality and 3D modeling, she is redefining how future doctors learn, while championing mentorship and mental well-being for medical students worldwide.
You’ve been teaching anatomy for over 25 years. Looking back, what drew you to this subject and to a career in medical education?
Looking back, very early in my career, I had taken up a tutoring role in Anatomy. But because of my education from TNMC Mumbai, which is known for exceptional teaching, I felt the responsibility of my new role. I began to put in long hours thoroughly preparing each topic to deliver high quality education to the students.
To my surprise, the response from the students was very positive and my classes became very popular. I seemed to have a natural knack of teaching the subject of Anatomy in an engaging and enjoyable manner. I soon realized that education of students in this challenging subject was my calling. Thus began my career in Medical Education.
What inspired you to launch the VB Anatomy Academy YouTube channel in 2023, and how has the response been so far from students?
Over last several years, I noticed that despite me being a well-respected and loved teacher, many students were preoccupied by their cell phones. I decided that if this is where my student’s mind is, then I shall be there in the cell phone too. Thus started the idea of VB Anatomy Academy.
The response to the channel has been overwhelming with students from more than 92 countries watching the videos and benefiting from them
Do you see YouTube and digital platforms as the future of medical education, especially for conceptual clarity and accessibility?
I firmly believe that education in the future is based on digital platforms, be it YouTube, Udemy, or any other. The advantage of these platforms is ease of accessibility. Such a medium may also turn out to be financially more feasible for the students.
Regarding clarity, I believe we are going towards a diametric change in the responsibility of education of the learner. With the responsibility of education being placed firmly on the shoulders of the learners themselves, clarity will become an individual pursuit. This is remarkable as it takes the student back to older times when individual students were encouraged to seek excellence through exploration of topics by themselves with only a little guidance from their teachers or mentors. As the student is not limited by the textbooks, the whole world becomes their oyster for learning. We may be looking at some amazing thinkers emerging form this digital revolution
You are working as Academic Consultant at DeftXR, a startup building 3D human models for immersive anatomy education. How do you see virtual reality transforming the way anatomy is taught and learned?
Yes, I have worked as an academic consultant for building of a digital human being in the virtual reality. Real human being as we know is 3-dimensional creature. However, except for the first year when the new medical entrant explores the structure of human body in 3D via dissection of a human cadaver, the rest of the medical education is carried out mostly using 2D images. The advent of virtual reality helps us overcome this limitation. Not only study of Anatomy but also study of surgical procedures can be carried out using the VR, as is being done in several countries today.
With over 55 research publications, much of your work focuses on integrating technology into teaching. What has been the most exciting innovation you’ve worked on?
Over the last several years I have worked tirelessly to integrate technology into teaching. This has basically been only to ensure that my students are able to visualize the structure of the human body that I am trying to teach. Focus has always been and will always be the learning of my students. Technology is a welcome entrant to be used to further this goal.
While I have thoroughly enjoyed the creation of the virtual human being in3-dimensions, I believe presently the most successful innovation has been the creation of my YouTube channel through which I am able to reach far and wide into the farthest parts of the world with the simple message of anatomy.
What advice would you give to young medical educators who want to strike a balance between subject mastery and student mentorship?
I believe that we can only advise a student regarding the subject when we ourselves excel in the subject. So, the first goal for any young medical educator must be to become an ardent student himself or herself. Another important message would be to board the digital train. When the student’s mind exists mostly in the digital medium, it is necessary that the educator understands and be adept at the medium too.
Student mentorship is something that comes with time and interest in the development of the students, their talents and ability. To a dedicated educator, the role develops by default. To be dedicated to the future of our students is the only necessity here.
Why counselling plays an important role for medical students.
Getting into a medical college, the studies that the students put in to achieve this goal often occupy the mind of the student leaving little space or time to prepare for the change that occurs in their life post admission into medical college. Not every student is emotionally built to quickly adapt, especially in the presence of the immense study burden which is part and parcel of the medical curriculum. Presence of counselors acts as a huge boon for such students helping them cope and thrive.
What is your vision for VB Anatomy Academy in the next five years?
First and foremost, my vision is to ensure that Anatomy, the true foundation of medicine, regains the respect it deserves and is studied with both seriousness and enjoyment. A medical world that neglects anatomy builds its career on shaky ground, and therefore we must return to the basics, exploring it thoroughly before moving forward.
My vision regarding VB Anatomy Academy is that my YouTube channel VB Anatomy will be the go-to channel for authentic and good quality education in Anatomy as well as surgical anatomy.
VB Anatomy website will run detailed Anatomy courses for all specialties such as surgery, orthopedics, obstetrics and gynecology etc. where detailed Anatomy knowledge is needed
VB Anatomy courses on Udemy, Miyagi labs and other Edtech platforms will educate students, residents, anatomy enthusiasts in the subject of Anatomy world over.
I also intend to collaborate with AI for Medical education. First step towards this has already been taken through my 1st course on Miyagi labs. I believe that AI will soon become a powerful tool in education if used correctly.
Lastly, you have written extensively about necessity of counselling as well as Mentorship for Medical students. Can you expand on that?
For me personally, I genuinely wish to be available as a counsellor for any student in need. Over the years, I have seen many students struggle with the pressure of change and academics in their early years of medical college, and their anguish has stayed with me. It is my sincere wish to use my ability as a counsellor to support such students and help them cope during this critical phase.
Mentorship, I believe, goes a step beyond counselling. It means guiding students through discussions, recognizing their natural abilities and instincts, encouraging them to explore new fields, and giving them the confidence to pursue their interests in medicine. In today’s world, as new opportunities continuously open up for medical students, mentorship becomes essential. With this vision, VB Anatomy Academy will be starting a mentorship program this year, where selected students will be guided not only to study anatomy but also to understand the deeper reasons and logic behind it. My goal is to mentor students right from their first year, helping them develop an attitude and thought process that will sustain them throughout their careers in medicine.
