Eight-year-old Shelena spent her childhood days in India as most children do – playing. But, Shelena’s childhood playtime cast her in a specific role: that of a doctor. The little girl, who spent her childhood pretending that she was a physician, realized her dream and grew up to be not only a physician, but a very special one indeed.

Dr. Shelena Lalji, or Dr. Shel, as her patients and friends call her, moved to the United States at age eight. Her early years in India where she saw poverty and diseases, along with the love, guidance and support of her father and mother, had a great influence on Dr. Shel growing up. Her father, Firoz Charania, came from a poor background and became a self-made man with a successful business. A natural born entrepreneur – a character trait passed on to his daughter - Dr. Shel’s father sold candy as a child at school to raise money for his family. In the 1970’s, he came to Sugar Land, Texas, now home to Dr. Shel and her family, and visited the Imperial Sugar mill. Back home, he took what he learned in Texas, and started a business that was one of the largest gelatin capsule manufacturers in India. “I’m very proud of his accomplishments,” said Dr. Shel.

Dr. Shel’s mother, Nazline, greatly influenced her daughter as well with her lesson of giving. “My mother taught me to always give back to the needy,” said Dr. Shel. Nazline’s dream, like Shelena’s, was to be a physician, but her dream was never realized. At age sixteen, Nazline came home from school, and her mother told her to get changed because she was getting engaged. “My mother cried and cried,” said Dr. Shel because her mother’s dream was to become a doctor. But though Nazline’s dream of becoming a doctor was not realized, she forged ahead and created a successful, meaningful life with her new husband, raised five children and helped run their family businesses.

Shelena Becomes Dr. Shel

But Nazline’s dream was to become a reality through her daughter. Dr. Shel attended collage at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia where she earned her Doctorate of Medicine and got board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Prior to attending medical school, Dr. Shel and her family suffered a tragedy that changed their lives forever. Her brother, Akbar, was killed at age 25. Due to the stress of the loss, her beloved father suffered a heart attack. While he did recover, Dr. Shel felt compelled to stay home and support her family. “I was accepted at Georgetown University, but I couldn’t leave my family after we lost my brother.”

In 1997, Dr. Shel moved to Houston, single, with no friends or family members in a very big city, after receiving a substantial offer from Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital. Her first weekend in Houston, knowing no one, she went to church on Friday evening. There, she met Dr. Ayeez Lalji, a handsome dentist who was at the time the local chairman of the Ismaili Health Professional Association. He was manning a booth for the organization, and since she was new in town, Dr. Shel decided to sign up for membership in the organization. Little did she know, Dr. Shel was signing up for life when she met the man of her dreams. The rest, as they say, is history. They were engaged five months later and have been married for 12 years this June.

“Being married to Ayeez has been like a beautiful dream,” said Dr. Shel. “He is an incredible man with whom I’m excited to wake up and start a new day every day.”

While success as a physician, business owner, educator, mentor and philanthropist is a passion for Dr. Shel, her heart belongs to her family. “Ayeez has been my best friend and true love since the day we met,” said Dr. Shel. The Laljis have two children - daughter Zoe, 9, and son Zade, 6. Zoe, or “Little Shel,” is tender-hearted and wants to be a physician just like mom. “What better compliment can I get from my child?” said Dr. Shel. “Zade is extremely bright, humorous and witty. He makes me laugh all the time.”

Dr. Shel’s in-laws reside with her, and Dr. Shel shares a very special relationship with her mother-in-law, Gulshen Lalji. “She supports me in everything I do and helps us with our children,” said Dr. Shel. “She has been – and continues to be – such an important figure in my life and the lives of our family.”

The importance of women, both in her life and in her practice, is a common theme with Dr. Shel. Her sister, Shirin, is her “best girlfriend” and has been since they were young. “As women, we all need a sister-like figure,” said Dr. Shel. “A friend who loves us unconditionally.”

Dr. Shel believes that female friendships are vital to women, and her commitment to caring for women comes from a personal place. When she was 30 years old, Dr. Shel lost one of her dearest friends to suicide , and the tragedy impacted her tremendously. “Losing Rekha is one of the reasons why I work so hard to empower women,” explained Dr. Shel. “I strongly believe that as women, we shouldn’t let anything or anyone take away our self-esteem and our love for life and its blessings.”

Caring for Women . . . Completely

Friend and patient Cynthia von Tesmar consults with Dr. Shel.

Although her work as an OB/GYN for nine years was extremely satisfying and rewarding, Dr. Shel felt compelled to broaden her scope of services and treat the whole woman. In 2006, she opened her current business – Dr. Shel Wellness & Medical Spa – in Sugar Land, Texas. “I work with a wonderful team of ladies who give my patients exceptional care,” said Dr. Shel. A hands-on physician, Dr. Shel formed relationships with her patients that allowed her to help them completely. For several years, she had noticed trends in women’s health issues. Her patients complained of common symptoms: fatigue, weight gain, irritability, mood swings, low libido, hair loss, and hot flashes. “Many women suffer from these symptoms beginning in their 30’s and well into their menopausal years,” explained Dr. Shel.

With this valuable information, Dr. Shel developed protocols, incorporating nutrition, healthy lifestyles, exercise, yoga and Bio Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT). Bio Identical Hormones are biologically identical to what your body naturally produces, derived from natural plant sources. This method of replacing the body’s hormones – estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid, cortisol, etc. – with natural instead of synthetic hormones proved to be an affective alternative treatment. “I hear over and over from my patients, ‘Thank you for giving me my life back.’”

With a care regimen in place, once again, Dr. Shel’s patients helped her define what they needed. “Once women feel their best, they are ready to look their best.” She thus began offering aesthetic services including injectables, advanced laser and spa services. Dr. Shel found that her patients appreciated the dramatic results without incurring the expense and recovery time of surgical procedures. Laser rejuvenation, laser photofacials, Botox®, Juvederm™, Radiesse® and similar procedures offer patients the ability to “be refreshed, rejuvenated and reaffirmed,” said Dr. Shel.

Dr. Shel’s philosophy centers around doing what’s best for the individual patient – whether it is inner or outer wellness – and doing it well. “When people hear the name Dr. Shel, I want them to think ‘trust’ – somebody who cares about who they are today and how they can be the best that they want to be.” Client and friend Cynthia von Tesmar said, “I met Dr. Shel in January 2008 as she spoke to an audience of 20 women.”

In her role as an educator and motivational speaker, Dr. Shel speaks to many women’s groups throughout the year. She is a national trainer and speaker for the Cutera® Laser systems along with several wellness companies. “I take every opportunity I can to educate women on living the best and most balanced life possible.”

“Shelena feels as though it is her job to help cure everyone’s health problems,” said Ayeez. “Professionally, she is the most caring medical professional I have ever met. She is an incredible wife, and a very involved, caring and nurturing mother to our two children.”

“During my first appointment with Dr. Shel, I found myself feeling well-protected, understood, and thoroughly supported,” said von Tesmar, who soon became a patient of Dr. Shel’s. “Her bedside manner embodies the true essence of a woman’s needs and causes us to simply want more. Dr. Shel has become my saving grace with respect to knowing the importance of health and wellness and how we women should never give up on taking care of us first in order to have the energy to take care of others.”

Dr. Shel’s Philosophy - Balance

Drs. Ayeez and Shelena Lalji.

Women taking care of themselves first is a priority that Dr. Shel instills in her patients. “We can’t take care of everything we need to take care of if we don’t take care of ourselves first,” said Dr. Shel, who believes balance is the key to health and wellness. “My own biggest personal challenge is living a balanced life.”

Knowing how to achieve balance in your life is not only difficult, it’s subjective. “Balance is different for everyone,” said Dr. Shel. Knowing when to dive in and when to say no is the challenge. “As a woman, I understand and appreciate what we as women face. So many exciting, professional opportunities have thankfully opened up recently for me,” said Dr. Shel. “I could decide to do all of them, but then I wouldn’t have the balance I need.” In order to ensure balance in her own life, this year Dr. Shel schedules days off to write her book, meditate, exercise, catch up with girlfriends and have lunch with her kids at school. “These are the things that I want – and need – to do for me. And that’s what I tell my patients – do that for you. Satisfy and nourish your mind, body and soul.”

Although Dr. Shel and her husband are very involved in community organizations, the causes that have always pulled at her heart are the ones that “take care of women and children.” The Laljis have supported, both financially and through volunteerism, numerous organizations including the American Cancer Society (they are on the ACS Leadership Council), the CASA Foundation, the Fort Bend Women’s Center, the Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A., and the Tackle Autism Foundation. Dr. Shel spent a year as the Regional Vice Chairperson with the Aga Khan Foundation – a year that Ayeez was essentially both mom and dad to Zoe and Zade because of the time commitment required. “It was a tremendous commitment and sacrifice on Ayeez’s part,” said Dr. Shel, “and one I am so proud of. Ayeez’s support, sacrifice and unwavering love allowed me to work with this incredible organization that empowers so many around the world.” She and her husband also started the Lalji Foundation through which they contribute to many worthwhile organizations.

Currently, in between patients and being a wife, mother, philanthropist and educator, Dr. Shel is working on two books to help empower women to live their best lives possible. “It’s something women can read and say: ‘I can do this,’” said Dr. Shel. “I tell my female audience how to prevent cancer and chronic diseases in themselves and their families.”

Dr. Shel also plans on launching her product line, now available at Dr. Shel Wellness & Medical Spa, to retail outlets throughout the country. Her product line features several high quality products including private label nutritional supplements and skin-care products, some under the name “ZoZa” in celebration of her children. In addition, she is a Wellness Spokesperson for Smoothie King Franchises Inc. Dr. Shel’s Choice smoothies were launched in 2009 in over 25 Smoothie King locations throughout Houston with the plan to roll out the smoothies nationally in 2010. Additionally, the 25 Houston area Smoothie Kings will begin carrying Dr. Shel’s nutritional supplements this year.

Of all of her accomplishments and endeavors, Dr. Shel feels her greatest achievement is her family. “I truly value and appreciate my husband and children. Ayeez is my strongest supporter and my most honest critic, and he supports me in following my passion completely. Zoe and Zade are my heart and soul.” And while family is most important, for Dr. Shel, patients are also categorized as family. “I feel so blessed to have had a positive impact on the lives of my patients. They have given me tremendous knowledge and satisfaction over the years. They are why I do what I do.”