Sanctum Medical Aesthetics – Dr Asha Ram’s Tasmanian sanctuary

Although I have the choice to live anywhere in the world, I choose to live here

Dr Asha Ram is a graduate of the University of Tasmania and has over 21 years experience in skin, vein and laser medicine. Her studies and travels have taken her across the world. Originally from Fiji, Dr Ram has worked in the United Kingdom, Sydney and Tasmania. But it was Tasmania that won her heart.

“I’m surrounded by creativity in the arts, food and business arena. Plus the tourism ventures that we have here are bringing great new energy. It’s such a beautiful place to live and while I could live anywhere in the world, I choose to live here.”

In Tasmania, Dr Ram heads the team at Sanctum Medical Aesthetics, a leading edge cosmetic medical practice which combines state of the art technology with over 20 years of experience. As part of her business she travels internationally several times a year, returning with leading-edge technology to the streets of Hobart.

“I think Tasmania embraces originality. We founded the first laser clinic in Tasmania and the community were really grateful to have something of international standard right here,” says Dr. Ram.

“Hobart is an extraordinary place for people with ideas. We have a great sense of adventure and openness. We have a willingness to try,” adds Dr. Ram. “When a new restaurant opens, people want to go there and support it. They want to see you succeed. The encouragement and deep friendships that develop through this make Tasmania a very desirable place.”

Sanctum specialises in a range of treatments including dermal fillers, wrinkle treatments, laser and intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments, skin rejuvenation, body contouring and sclerotherapy for varicose veins. In creating Sanctum, Dr. Ram aspired for an urban skin sanctuary, combining it with the soulfulness of art. Art plus science plus beauty is her premise. And she chose to develop exactly this in Hobart, Tasmania.

Asha is also an art enthusiast and an entrepreneur who is a driving force behind Hobart’s lauded Aloft Restaurant. In her spare time she studies Italian, pens poetry and looks beyond Tasmania with her philanthropic work with women and children in disadvantaged communities across East Timor, Ethiopia and Tanzania. Her passion runs deep for empowering women to have strength and resilience.

“As a GP I soon realised I was able to change women’s lives more effectively by working with them on their psychology,” explains Dr. Ram. “This coincided with the cosmetic medicine emergence. I had a passion for laser physics so I was able to restudy laser biophysics through Harvard and combine that with my interest in empowering women to have greater self-esteem and strength.” This expertise puts her in an ideal position to select the range of science-based products, procedures and technologies to apply to cosmetic procedures.

Find out more about Sanctum Medical Aesthetics.

For information on starting a business in Tasmania see our other business stories and visit Business Tasmania.