Dr. Digambar Behera Takes Over Presidency of National Academy of Medical Sciences | Bhubaneswar News
Bhubaneswar: Odisha-native Dr Digambar Behera, professor emeritus at the prestigious Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) Chandigarh and Padma Shri awardee, assumed the presidency of National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS) Saturday.
Behera, who is also a former dean of PGIMER and currently director of the Pulmonary Medicine and Critical Care Medicine, succeeded Dr S K Sarin, the outgoing president, during a convocation ceremony held at AIIMS, Jodhpur.
Dr Behera will serve as president of NAMS for a tenure of three years. Previous presidents of the institute include Dr PN Chutani, Dr B K Sharma, Dr N K Ganguly, and Dr K K Talwar, all former directors of the PGI. Born in Cuttack, Behera acquired his MBBS in 1978 from SCB Medical College and MD in 1981 from PGIMER Chandigarh.
Dr Behera will additionally serve as an advisor to the task force for the National TB Elimination Programme of India. Earlier, he served as director of National Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases. His academic portfolio encompasses 602 scholarly publications, two textbooks on pulmonary medicine, five books, alongside 35 national accolades and nine international distinctions.
Upon assuming office, Dr Behera expressed, “I am honoured to occupy this position which was previously held by legendary medical personalities of the country. My focus will be to uphold the traditions of the academy. I will endeavour to ensure NAMS continues contributing to medical education, research, and healthcare delivery in the country.”
Notably, NAMS was established in 1961 and inaugurated by the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. It stands as the paramount academic institution comprising distinguished medical and biomedical scientists of India.
The distinguished NAMS Fellows include Jawaharlal Nehru, PV Narasimha Rao, Dr BC Roy, Indira Gandhi, and Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. The Academy Fellows have received the highest civilian honours of the country. NAMS has established various task forces to develop policy briefs for the govt concerning crucial national health and medical matters.
Behera, who is also a former dean of PGIMER and currently director of the Pulmonary Medicine and Critical Care Medicine, succeeded Dr S K Sarin, the outgoing president, during a convocation ceremony held at AIIMS, Jodhpur.
Dr Behera will serve as president of NAMS for a tenure of three years. Previous presidents of the institute include Dr PN Chutani, Dr B K Sharma, Dr N K Ganguly, and Dr K K Talwar, all former directors of the PGI. Born in Cuttack, Behera acquired his MBBS in 1978 from SCB Medical College and MD in 1981 from PGIMER Chandigarh.
Dr Behera will additionally serve as an advisor to the task force for the National TB Elimination Programme of India. Earlier, he served as director of National Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases. His academic portfolio encompasses 602 scholarly publications, two textbooks on pulmonary medicine, five books, alongside 35 national accolades and nine international distinctions.
Upon assuming office, Dr Behera expressed, “I am honoured to occupy this position which was previously held by legendary medical personalities of the country. My focus will be to uphold the traditions of the academy. I will endeavour to ensure NAMS continues contributing to medical education, research, and healthcare delivery in the country.”
Notably, NAMS was established in 1961 and inaugurated by the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. It stands as the paramount academic institution comprising distinguished medical and biomedical scientists of India.
The distinguished NAMS Fellows include Jawaharlal Nehru, PV Narasimha Rao, Dr BC Roy, Indira Gandhi, and Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. The Academy Fellows have received the highest civilian honours of the country. NAMS has established various task forces to develop policy briefs for the govt concerning crucial national health and medical matters.
