The Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, is going lose one of its most popular teacher and scientist Dr Amod Gupta as he is going to superannuate in August this year. Apart from him, four more head of departments (HoDs) of the departments of gastroenterology, neurosurgery, anaesthesia and gynaecology will superannuate from the institute this year. The retirement age at PGIMER is 65.
Dr Gupta who served as the dean was also awarded Padma Shri last year. A graduate from Rohtak Medical College (now PGIMS, Rohtak), is already known widely for his contribution to ophthalmology, particularly in 2003 for his finding treatment for people who are at the risk of vision loss due to diabetes that has been considered as path-breaking research across all fields of medical science. His work on 'tuberculosis of eyes' - a disease he detected and provided a separate term to - was also acknowledged across the world. This was his first breakthrough, and had come about in 1998.
After doing his MBBS from Rohtak, Dr Gupta joined the PGIMER for MS degree in the mid-1970s. Since then, he has been with the institute and became head of the department of ophthalmology in 1989. He became a professor in 1993. In 2011, he narrowly missed the chance to become the director of the PGIMER.
Apart from him, Dr Lakhbir Kaur Dhaliwal, head, obstetrics and gynaecology department, will be the first one to say goodbye to the PGIMER as she will superannuate in March. Hailing from Kotkapura in Faridkot, Dr Dhaliwal joined the institute in 1986 as a lecturer.
Apart from him, Dr Lakhbir Kaur Dhaliwal, head, obstetrics and gynaecology department, will be the first one to say goodbye to the PGIMER as she will superannuate in March. Hailing from Kotkapura in Faridkot, Dr Dhaliwal joined the institute in 1986 as a lecturer.
Neurosurgery department head Dr Suresh Narain Mathuriya, who hails from Jodhpur, will supersaturate in September. He joined the PGIMER as a lecturer in 1981.
Dr Yatinder Kumar Batra, head of the anaesthesia department, will superannuate in November. He hails from Malerkotla and joined the PGIMER in 1981.
Dr Deepak Bhasin, head, gastroenterology department, will superannuate in November. He joined the PGIMER in 1982 and is an Indian Council of Medical Research award winner. Dr Bhasin also won the Basanti Devi Amir Chand Prize.
Most of the doctors who will superannuate this year came to the PGIMER as students in early 1970s and rose to the post of head.