NYC doctor to be featured in new Netflix docuseries about pandemics

A woman in New York City is showing others that they too can have it all.

News 12 Staff

Mar 12, 2020, 12:06 PM

Updated 1,517 days ago

Share:

A woman in New York City is showing others that they too can have it all.
The young mother of three is a nationally recognized leader in public health, and she stars in a Netflix docuseries.
Dr. Syra Madad is the senior director of NYC Health + Hospitals Systemwide Special Pathogens Program.
“I have the privilege of essentially overseeing the entire system’s response to highly infectious diseases,” says Dr. Madad.

A woman who's made such a name for herself that even Netflix reached out for her to be in the series Pandemic: How to Prevent an Outbreak, to show the role she plays.

"Preparedness, response, mitigation, planning, kind of the whole nine yards,” says Dr. Madad.

At 33 years old, she not only got a doctorate in health science and a master’s in biotechnology, but also trained around the country, did work for the FBI and has three children. Her youngest is just 6 weeks old.

"It was a very long delivery for me, 17 hours. I was not expecting that long of a delivery and they wouldn't give me my epidural, they were saying it was going to slow my progression so I had to distract myself, so I told my husband can you give me my laptop I’m going to push out some emails,” says Dr. Madad.

Madad says her love for this work all started in the 10th grade when her science teacher recommended a book about Ebola.

"That was phenomenal to me. I was super interested and then I started watching and reading more about it; I watch[ed] the movie “Outbreak” very early on; I remember as a little girl that was like, ‘oh my gosh this is exactly what I want to do,’" says Dr. Madad. 

Dr. Madad says she has an incredible support system and a husband who steps in when she needs it.

"He has been my de facto nanny at times,” she says.

Her advice for other women out there who also want to rise to the top is to keep pursuing their dreams.
“Pursue your dreams. People think that you can't have it all well, you can have it all as long as you work hard for it,” says Dr. Madad.


More from News 12
1:43
NYCHA tenant in Melrose dealing with floor falling apart in home

NYCHA tenant in Melrose dealing with floor falling apart in home

2:04
STORM WATCH: Tracking strong thundershowers for Wednesday and Thursday in NYC

STORM WATCH: Tracking strong thundershowers for Wednesday and Thursday in NYC

1:41
Bronx family pleads for help to find man missing from psychiatric center

Bronx family pleads for help to find man missing from psychiatric center

0:31
Member of Trinitarios gang sentenced to life for murder of Bronx man on Long Island

Member of Trinitarios gang sentenced to life for murder of Bronx man on Long Island

1:47
Bronx Community College over the moon about newest tree planted on campus

Bronx Community College over the moon about newest tree planted on campus

1:44
Bronx County Fair comes to Throggs Neck

Bronx County Fair comes to Throggs Neck

2:14
DSNY clears trash left by homeless encampment in Kingsbridge Heights after multiple complaints

DSNY clears trash left by homeless encampment in Kingsbridge Heights after multiple complaints

0:25
MTA announces new strategy to improve transit infrastructure for B and D train lines

MTA announces new strategy to improve transit infrastructure for B and D train lines

1:41
Gov. Kathy Hochul regrets saying Black kids in the Bronx don't know what a computer is

Gov. Kathy Hochul regrets saying Black kids in the Bronx don't know what a computer is

1:52
UFT: More than 850 Title I schools have the space to meet NY’s class size law

UFT: More than 850 Title I schools have the space to meet NY’s class size law

0:24
Police: 37-year-old man found dead inside Soundview home

Police: 37-year-old man found dead inside Soundview home

0:26
Officials identify 29-year-old suspect linked to fire in Allerton building

Officials identify 29-year-old suspect linked to fire in Allerton building

0:27
Authorities: 3 men wanted for stealing $300, pizza from delivery driver in the Bronx

Authorities: 3 men wanted for stealing $300, pizza from delivery driver in the Bronx

0:50
Jennifer Lopez, Cardi B. show off their style at the Met Gala 2024 event

Jennifer Lopez, Cardi B. show off their style at the Met Gala 2024 event

Discounts and perks teachers can use all year

Discounts and perks teachers can use all year

0:29
Attorney General James sues local clinics for abortion-reversal claims

Attorney General James sues local clinics for abortion-reversal claims

0:39
 ‘Melanie’s Law’ passes state Senate, heads for final approval

‘Melanie’s Law’ passes state Senate, heads for final approval

Guide: Deals and freebies for health care workers

Guide: Deals and freebies for health care workers

1:46
Bronx leaders respond to Gov. Hochul's controversial comment on Black and brown kids in the borough

Bronx leaders respond to Gov. Hochul's controversial comment on Black and brown kids in the borough

1:35
City program may help restaurants with outdoor dining reimagine space, provide resources

City program may help restaurants with outdoor dining reimagine space, provide resources