Dr. Vikas Bhatia Appointed Vice Chancellor of Pandit Deen Dayal Medical University, Haryana

The Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (MGIMS) distinguished alumnus, Dr. Vikas Bhatia, has been appointed Vice Chancellor of Pandit Deen Dayal Medical University, Haryana. Dr. Bhatia, from the MGIMS MBBS class of 1981, completed both his MBBS and MD in Community Medicine from the institute in 1989, under the mentorship of the late Dr. Sushila Nayar, a pioneer in public health in India.

Dr. Bhatia brings to the position decades of experience in public health, medical education, and healthcare administration. He has been serving as the Director of AIIMS Hyderabad since May 2021 and was the founding Dean of AIIMS Bhubaneswar from 2012 to 2019. During his tenure at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, he was instrumental in initiating outpatient (OPD) and tele-consultation services, establishing 19 departments, laboratories, and intensive care units, and starting 58 academic programs, including MBBS, MD, B.Sc, and M.Sc Nursing courses. He also served as Chief Editor for the “Indian Journal of Community & Family Medicine”, launched under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, from AIIMS Bhubaneswar.

Earlier in his career, Dr. Bhatia held positions at PGIMER Chandigarh, UCMS Delhi, and Government Medical College Chandigarh, where he played a key role in establishing the Department of Community Medicine and the Urban Health Training Centre. His international contributions include nearly three and a half years as National Professional Officer at UNICEF, where he worked closely with the Government of Uttar Pradesh to strengthen immunization programs, introduce the Japanese Encephalitis vaccine, and develop networks for Health & Nutrition Resource Centres, Special Newborn Care Units (SNCU), and Nutritional Rehabilitation Centres (NRC).

Dr. Bhatia has been recognized with numerous awards and honors from UNICEF, MoHFW, and other national and international organizations for his work in public health. He has published over 155 research articles, authored two books, produced 52 funded project reports and documents, and made more than 300 presentations globally. His research and programmatic contributions span community health, maternal and child health, preventive medicine, and health system strengthening.

His leadership has emphasized not only institutional development but also accessibility and equity in healthcare, focusing on improving services for underprivileged communities across India. Dr. Bhatia has traveled extensively for academic and professional engagements, sharing his expertise and advocating for public health initiatives at both national and international levels.

In his appointment as Vice Chancellor of Pandit Deen Dayal Medical University, Dr. Bhatia is expected to bring his extensive experience in program management, medical education, and research to further the university’s mission of improving healthcare delivery, advancing medical education, and strengthening public health initiatives in Haryana. His commitment to the vision of his mentor, Dr. Sushila Nayar, continues to guide his work in promoting academic excellence and healthcare for underprivileged populations.

This appointment marks a significant milestone in Dr. Bhatia’s career and a proud moment for MGIMS, reflecting the impact of the institution’s alumni on national healthcare leadership.

Reference

1) https://www.mgims.ac.in/index.php/dr-vikas-bhatia

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