Famous Indian Physicians

Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi was a trailblazing Indian physician who made history as the first Indian woman to earn a two-year degree in western medicine in the United States. Her pioneering achievement shattered gender barriers in the field of medicine and inspired future generations of women to pursue careers in healthcare. Anandibai's dedication to her profession and her determination to overcome societal expectations paved the way for greater gender equality in the medical profession. Her legacy continues to inspire and empower women in the field of medicine.

Devi Prasad Shetty is an Indian entrepreneur and cardiac surgeon known for founding and chairing Narayana Health, a network of 21 medical centers in India. With over 100,000 heart operations to his credit, he has made significant contributions to the field of affordable healthcare. Recognized for his achievements, he was honored with the Padma Shri in 2004 and the Padma Bhushan in 2012 by the Government of India. His dedication to providing accessible healthcare has established him as a prominent figure in the medical community.

Sushruta, a renowned figure in the field of medicine, is credited as the author of the Sushruta Samhita, a significant ancient treatise on medicine and a foundational text of Ayurveda. His work covers various aspects of general medicine but is particularly notable for its detailed chapters on surgery, leading to him being referred to as "the father of plastic surgery." Scholars believe that multiple ancient authors collectively known as "Suśruta" contributed to this text, with the Compendium of Suśruta placing him in Varanasi, India.

Govindappa Venkataswamy, known as Dr V., was an Indian ophthalmologist who dedicated his life to eliminating needless blindness. He founded Aravind Eye Hospitals, known for its high-quality, low-cost service model that has restored sight to millions. Despite being crippled by rheumatoid arthritis, he performed over 100,000 eye surgeries and pioneered the concept of eye camps. His initiatives include founding Aurolab to make eye care affordable globally and establishing LAICO to replicate the Aravind model in numerous hospitals. Dr V.'s impact on eye care is monumental, with millions benefiting from his innovative approach.

Naresh Trehan is a renowned Indian cardiovascular and cardiothoracic surgeon with a distinguished career spanning several decades. After completing his medical education, he practiced at prestigious institutions in the US before returning to India to establish the Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre. He currently holds key positions at Medanta™-The Medicity and has been the personal surgeon to the President of India since 1991. Trehan's professional achievements include receiving prestigious awards such as the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award, and Dr. B. C. Roy Award.

Shah Faesal is an Indian bureaucrat who made history by topping the Indian Civil Services Examination in 2010. He resigned from the Indian bureaucracy in protest in January 2019 but later withdrew his resignation. In February 2019, he entered politics by giving a public speech and went on to establish his own political party, the Jammu and Kashmir People's Movement. After a brief stint in politics, he returned to the Indian Administrative Service in April 2022 and was appointed as Deputy Secretary in the Union Ministry for Tourism in August 2022.

Upendranath Brahmachari was a prominent Indian physician and scientist who made significant contributions to medicine. In 1922, he synthesized urea-stibamine and demonstrated its effectiveness in treating kala-azar. His innovative work in the field of medicine helped in combating visceral leishmaniasis, a deadly disease prevalent in India at that time. Brahmachari's research and discoveries had a lasting impact on the medical community, establishing him as a respected figure in the field of healthcare and scientific innovation.

Dr. Sharmila is a versatile professional with a diverse career spanning medicine, acting, social activism, and content creation. Hailing from Tamil Nadu, India, she gained initial fame through her role in the STAR Vijay show, Puthira Punithama? alongside N. Mathrubootham. Over the years, she has expanded her acting repertoire by appearing in television series in both Tamil and Malayalam languages, as well as starring in a few Tamil films. In addition to her acting pursuits, Dr. Sharmila also engages in social activism and runs a successful YouTube channel, showcasing her multifaceted talents.

Bhasha Mukherjee is a notable Indian-British doctor and beauty pageant titleholder. In 2019, she achieved the prestigious title of Miss England and went on to represent England at the Miss World 2019 pageant. With a strong background in medicine, Mukherjee has dedicated her professional life to making a positive impact in both the healthcare industry and the world of beauty pageants. Her accomplishments reflect a commitment to excellence and a desire to serve as a role model for aspiring individuals in multiple fields.

Subhash Mukherjee was an Indian scientist and physician known for creating India's first child using in-vitro fertilisation, just 67 days after the first IVF baby in the UK. Despite his groundbreaking achievement, he faced harassment from the West Bengal state government and Indian authorities, which led to his untimely death. His story has been widely covered in newspapers and was the inspiration for the Hindi movie "Ek Doctor Ki Maut" directed by Tapan Sinha.

Sivaramakrishna Iyer Padmavati was a pioneering Indian cardiologist known for her significant contributions in the field of cardiology. She served as the director of the National Heart Institute in Delhi and was the founder president of the All India Heart Foundation. Padmavati was the first woman cardiologist in India and established the first cardiac clinic and cardiac catheter lab in the country. She was recognized for her work with prestigious awards including the Padma Vibhushan in 1992. Her institute collaborated with the World Health Organization in training students in preventive cardiology.

Surendra Poonia, VSM, is a renowned sportsman, physician, and former Special Forces officer of the Indian Army. He is the first Indian athlete to have won medals in power-lifting and strength events in four consecutive world championships. Poonia is the founder of Soldierathon marathon and Fit Bharat. He is also a politician affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party. Poonia's professional journey showcases his exceptional achievements in sports, military service, and his commitment to promoting fitness and health initiatives in India.

Pramod Karan Sethi was an accomplished Indian orthopaedic surgeon known for co-inventing the "Jaipur foot" in 1969, a revolutionary artificial limb that was cost-effective and flexible. His contributions to the field of orthopaedics earned him prestigious accolades, including the Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership in 1981 and the Padma Shri from the Government of India in the same year. Sethi's innovative work in prosthetics has significantly impacted the lives of many amputees worldwide, showcasing his dedication to improving healthcare accessibility and quality.

Hakim Ajmal Khan was a prominent physician in Delhi, India, known for his contributions to the field of medicine. He was instrumental in founding the Jamia Millia Islamia university and Tibbia College, both located in Delhi. Khan's expertise in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine led to his significant impact on healthcare education in India. He made history by becoming the first Muslim to chair a session of the Hindu Mahasabha, showcasing his commitment to fostering interfaith dialogue and collaboration. As the first chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia, Khan played a pivotal role in shaping the institution until his passing in 1927.

Suresh Amonkar was an Indian politician who served in various ministerial roles in the Goa Legislative Assembly. He was a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party and held positions such as Minister of Health, Social Welfare, and Labour & Employment in the Francisco Sardinha cabinet. He later served as Minister of Health, Labour & Employment, and Factories and Boilers in the First Manohar Parrikar cabinet. Amonkar also ran in elections as an independent candidate and joined the Goa Suraksha Manch before his passing in July 2020 due to COVID-19.

P. R. Krishna Kumar was an esteemed Indian Ayurveda expert known for his significant contributions to the field. He served as the managing director of The Arya Vaidya Pharmacy (Coimbatore) Ltd. and established The Ayurvedic Trust, overseeing AVCRI and AVP Research Foundation. Additionally, he held key positions such as chancellor of Avinashilingam University and chairman of CARe Keralam. Recognized for his work, he was honored with the Padma Shri award by the Government of India in 2009 for his dedicated efforts in promoting research and standardizing Ayurvedic medicines.

Kameshwar Prasad is a prominent Indian neurologist and academic known for his expertise in evidence-based medicine. As head of the Department of Neurology at AIIMS, he has made significant contributions to stroke management and clinical research. Prasad has conducted various studies and clinical trials, including pioneering work on stem cell therapy. He is actively involved in establishing guidelines for drug use in India and tracking risk factors for stroke and cognitive decline. Prasad is a respected figure in the medical community, having received prestigious awards and recognition for his work.

Jitendra Nath Pande, also known as J. N. Pande, was a prominent Indian Pulmonologist and Professor, serving as the Head of Medicine at the All India Institute of Medical Studies (AIIMS). He also held the position of Senior Consultant (Medicine) at the Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science & Research in New Delhi. Pande's significant contributions to the field of medicine were recognized with the posthumous award of India's fourth highest civilian honor, the Padma Shri in 2021. His dedication and expertise made a lasting impact on the medical community in India.