From patient to pioneer: Dr Nikhil Autar
Content warning: this story talks about suicide and suicidal thoughts. If you or someone you know needs help, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 000 if it’s an emergency.
When Dr. Nikhil Autar was named the 2024 NSW Young Australian of the Year, he was stunned. The nomination came as a surprise – “likely from my mum,” he joked.
For Nikhil, the award wasn’t about prestige, it was about possibility. It gave him a platform to advocate for something deeply personal to him – accessibility.
Diagnosed with leukaemia at 17, Nikhil endured years of intense treatment which left him with a chronic illness that still shapes his daily life.
A rare condition causing severe muscle cramps threatened to derail his dreams and made him suicidal. What saved him wasn’t a medical procedure – it was compassion.
“It was the small things, the nurses who made me feel at home, the doctor who noticed I was struggling and got me the help I needed.”
One moment stood out to Nikhil. Before a round of chemo, his blood pressure spiked. Nurses tried everything to calm him, then pinned up a sketch of Nikhil fishing with the caption ‘Nikhil gone fishing.’
“That’s when I realised, they didn’t just see me as a patient. They cared for me as a person and that human connection kept me going,” Nikhil said.
Nikhil emerged with a mission grounded in empathy and kindness – values instilled by his father who believed in leaving the world better than you found it.
However, he knew many did not experience what he did. He lost friends to preventable complications. Determined to create change, Nikhil turned to social enterprise.
“If you build something that creates good, you can change more lives than any single act of medicine ever could.”
Nikhil started designing solutions – first imagining a hospital bed that could detect falls and alert staff, which later evolved into an affordable, flat-pack lifting system for home use. He listened to people with disability, aged care residents and carers, and made sure his solutions addressed real-world problems.
His personal experience navigating the world in an electric wheelchair also inspired the development of Knia Maps. This app provides real-time accessibility information and empowers people with mobility challenges. It allows people to know in advance if a venue has ramps, wide doorways or accessible bathrooms.
Alongside his entrepreneurial work, Nikhil never let go of his dream to become a doctor. Despite ongoing health challenges and multiple surgeries, he pushed through years of study and training. He is currently undertaking a medical internship at the Northern Sydney Local Health District.
Nikhil is also deeply involved in Doctors Against Violence, an initiative tackling domestic violence and violence against healthcare workers. The program focuses on upskilling doctors and sharing resources.
“Supporting each other is critical, whether it’s treating patients or navigating violent situations. Sharing resources and skills helps us protect both our patients and ourselves.”
From hospital wards to start-up hubs, Nikhil Autar proves that adversity can spark innovation. His journey is about empathy, resilience and purpose. Whether through a life-saving app, a flat-pack bed or a simple smile, Nikhil is living his father’s advice – leaving the world better than he found it.