Ratna Sitompul
Ratna Sitompul (born 6 February 1961) is an Indonesian ophthalmologist, academic, and university administrator. She served as the dean of the medicine faculty of the University of Indonesia from 2008 until 2017.
Early life and education
[edit]Ratna was born on 6 February 1961 in Jakarta. She completed her medical education at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia, graduating as a medical doctor in 1990. She then pursued ophthalmology specialization at the same institution, finishing in 1994, and earned her doctoral degree from the University of Indonesia in 2005.[1][2]
Career
[edit]Early in her career, Sitompul worked as a general practitioner at RSU Kuala Kapuas, Central Kalimantan, from 1987 to 1989. Afterward, she joined the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Indonesia, serving as a lecturer and as a member of the medical staff, particularly in the field of ophthalmology with a focus on infections and immunology. Between 1999 and 2005, she led the division of infection and immunology within the Department of Ophthalmology. From 2005 to 2008, she was the head of the ophthalmology specialization major in the University of Indonesia.[1][2]
In April 2008, Sitompul became a candidate for the faculty of medicine dean. She ran against six more senior candidates from the faculty, including the incumbent dean professor Menaldi Rasmin. The first selection process, involving eight candidates, was conducted on 8 April 2008,[3] and shrunk to three candidates in the final selection process on 21 April. Sitompul was named as the new dean on 21 April, coinciding with the Kartini Day. She became the first woman to serve in the position. According to rector Gumilar Rusliwa Somantri, the final selection process was the longest he had to face and jokingly stated that he wanted a dean with no mustache.[4] Sitompul assumed office as dean three days later.[5] Due to her status as a civil servant in the health ministry, Ratna was reassigned to the university as an adjunct lecturer.[6]
Views
[edit]Sitompul has been outspoken about challenges in Indonesian medical education, stressing the need for stronger communication skills among medical students and professionals. She has highlighted the difficulties students face due to heavy academic workloads and limited leisure time. Sitompul has called for more comprehensive training in communication, seeing it as critical for effective relationships between doctors, patients, and peers. She points to the role of medical educators in modeling ethical and professional conduct, emphasizing that respect for others is a foundation for earning respect within the profession.[1]
She has expressed concerns about the portrayal of medical professionals in media but maintains that public trust remains significant. Sitompul has shared experiences illustrating the positive outcomes of patient-centered care, including receiving personal letters of gratitude from former patients, which she regards as indicative of the value of empathy and respect in medicine.[1]
Personal life
[edit]Sitompul is married to Dody Firmanda and has two children.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "Hormati Orang Lain Dahulu, Jika Ingin Dihormati" [Respect Others First If You Want to Be Respected]. KlikDokter. 28 July 2010. Archived from the original on 11 October 2010. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ^ a b "Gantunglah Cita-cita Setinggi Langit" [Aim for the Highest Dreams]. KlikDokter. 10 November 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
- ^ "Presentasi Bakal Calon Dekan FKUI Periode 2008-2012, Selasa, 8 April 2008" [Presentation of FKUI Dean Candidates for the 2008-2012 Period, Tuesday, April 8, 2008]. Fakultas Kedokteran Universitas Indonesia. April 11, 2008. Archived from the original on April 19, 2008. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
- ^ "Dr. dr. Ratna Sitompul, SpM(K), Dekan Wanita Pertama di FKUI" [Dr. dr. Ratna Sitompul, SpM(K), First Female Dean of FKUI]. Fakultas Kedokteran Universitas Indonesia. April 23, 2008. Archived from the original on May 1, 2008. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
- ^ "Upacara Pelantikan dan Serah Terima Jabatan Dekan Fakultas kedokteran UI 2008-2012 oleh Rektor UI, Kamis, 24 April 2008 di Balai Kirti UI - Depok". FK UI. Archived from the original on 30 April 2008. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
- ^ "Juli: Dekan Fakultas Kedokteran UI Diberhentikan" [July: Dean of the Faculty of Medicine UI Dismissed]. DetikHealth (in Indonesian). 25 December 2012.