Directors of AGS
Dr. Satishchandra Chauhan
Dr. Satishchandra Chauhan's illustrious career in the medical field spans several decades, marked by significant contributions and diverse roles across various healthcare settings. His journey began in 1983 at the ESIS Hospital in Petlad, where for two years, he diligently conducted outpatient departments (OPD) and provided treatments under the insurance scheme. This initial experience laid a solid foundation for his future endeavors. In 1985, he joined the Gujarat Public Health Department, dedicating an impressive 31 years of service. His roles evolved over time, starting as a Medical Officer and progressing through positions such as Senior Medical Officer, RCHO, ADHO, DTO, DLO, and ultimately Chief District Health Officer (CDHO). Throughout his tenure, he adeptly handled both clinical and administrative responsibilities, showcasing his versatility and commitment to public health. A notable highlight of his career was his deputation to the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2004. There, he played a crucial role in the Pulse Polio Immunization campaign and emerged as a National Master Trainer for the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) program, reflecting his expertise and leadership in public health initiatives. As the District Tuberculosis Officer (DTO), he successfully managed various aspects of the TB control program, including OPD, inpatient care, and nutrition support programs. His efforts in occupational health, particularly in silicosis control in the Kutch district, have been commendable, demonstrating his dedication to addressing critical health issues. Following his extensive tenure with the public health department, he joined the U.N. Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research Centre in 2017. For four years, he served as a Medical-Clinical Administrator, overseeing OPD and ward management. His leadership extended to heading the quality department of the institute, ensuring high standards of care and operational excellence. Dr. Chauhan put consistent efforts into maintaining sustainable excellence through various staff training initiatives, recommending state-of-the-art technology, and introducing new systems for the optimum performance of the entire hospital. He also initiated a program called Cardiac Health Worker, further enhancing the institute’s commitment to cardiac care. Throughout his career, Dr. Chauhan continually sought to enhance his skills and knowledge through various trainings in healthcare management. His commitment to professional development and his vast experience in both clinical and administrative roles have made him a respected figure in the healthcare sector. Dr. Satishchandra Chauhan's career is a testament to his unwavering dedication to improving healthcare services and his significant impact on public health programs.
Anirudh Singh Chauhan
Anirudh Chauhan is a multifaceted professional with a diverse academic background and extensive experience in research, healthcare, and digital branding. He holds an M.Sc. in Polymer Chemistry from Sardar Patel University, an MBA in Finance and Marketing. Additionally, he has a Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare and Hospital Management from AMA, in collaboration with California State University, San Bernardino. Anirudh began his career as a Project Assistant at the Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute, where he conducted research on polymeric membranes. He later served in various positions at IMRB. Mentioning a few examples, he contributed to significant research projects like the Unintended Pregnancy and Abortion in India (UPAI) study, undertaken by IPAS NGO and the Government of India. He also contributed as a data analyst to the "Study to Determine the Root Cause of Stress and Reasons for Developing Self-Harming Tendencies Among Students of Santo Tomas University, Philippines." Additionally, he conducted a study on the risk tolerance of people in selected districts of Gujarat regarding investments in various avenues such as the stock market, gold, mutual funds, precious and semi-precious metals, and land. Transitioning to the digital realm, Anirudh worked as a Digital Brand Manager in a media company, honing his skills in digital branding and advertising strategies. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to become the Director of Averox Global Solutions, where he leverages his expertise in healthcare market research, project appraisal and financing, and designing effective digital branding and advertising strategies. He is also well-versed in analytical tools such as JMP, SPSS, and Stata, enhancing his ability to derive meaningful insights from complex data sets. In addition to his diverse professional experience, Anirudh holds several certifications that bolster his expertise in digital marketing and advertising. These include the Microsoft Advertising Search Certification, HubSpot Social Media Certificate, HubSpot Content Marketing, Google Partners Certification, Google Ads Search Certification, Google Ads Display Certification, Microsoft Bing Ads Certification, and Link Research Tools (LRT) Certification. He has also attended workshops on Rural Marketing and Data Analytics organized during the International Food and Agri-business Summit at IIM Ahmedabad.
Technical Associate Directors of AGS
Dr. Pradeep Kumar
Dr. Pradeep Kumar is a highly esteemed medical professional renowned for his significant contributions to community medicine and public health education. He earned his MBBS degree in 1981 and his MD in Community Medicine in 1984 from MLB Medical College, Jhansi. With over 40 years of post-MD teaching and administrative experience, he has held various influential positions in government-run medical colleges across Gujarat. Following his retirement, he continues to impact the field as a Professor in the Community Medicine Department at Dr. MK Shah Medical College, Ahmedabad. During his tenure at Government Medical College, Surat (1993-2006), Dr. Kumar gained extensive experience in managing public health crises, including plague, leptospirosis, floods, and avian flu. From 2007 to 2011, he worked on deputation as Additional Project Director at the Gujarat State AIDS Control Society and as Director of the Gujarat State Council of Blood Safety & Transfusion, where he played a pivotal role in state-wide health initiatives. Between 2016 and 2022, Dr. Kumar served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Indian Journal of Community Medicine (IJCM), a PubMed-indexed international journal. His editorial expertise is further recognized through his role as a reviewer for various esteemed journals such as the Indian Journal of Community Medicine, Indian Journal of Public Health, and Health Line. He has successfully mentored 10 MD and 2 PhD candidates, demonstrating his commitment to academic excellence. Currently, Dr. Kumar is actively involved in ethical oversight as the Chairperson of the Ethics Committee at Gujarat’s State Health System & Research Center (SHSRC) and as a member of the IAPSM Ethics Committee. His contributions to public health are recognized through numerous awards and fellowships. Dr. Kumar's international training includes 12 weeks at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (Public Health in Developing Countries) and 4 weeks at Lund University, Malmo, Sweden (Adolescent Health). He has presented his research in Singapore, Dhahran (Nepal), and Shanghai (PRC), and has authored over 100 research publications in national and international journals, along with contributions to five textbooks. His work is accessible on Google Scholar and ResearchGate. He is a Fellow of the Indian Association of Preventive & Social Medicine (IAPSM) and the Indian Hypertension Society (ISH). His accolades include the “Dr. Harcharan Singh Oration” by IAPSM (2024), “NINAD” oration by IAPSM Gujarat Chapter, and the “Best Teacher of Public Health Award” by Gujarat University, reflecting his exceptional contributions to public health education and practice.
Dr. Hitendra Kumar K. Bhavsar
Dr. Hitendra Kumar K. Bhavsar is a distinguished medical professional with an extensive career marked by significant contributions to medical education and healthcare administration. His academic journey began with earning his MBBS degree from Ravindra Nath Tagore Medical College, Udaipur, affiliated with Rajasthan University, in 1979. He further pursued his MD in Medicine from the same institution, graduating in 1984. Dr. Bhavsar's professional career commenced in 1984 as a Physician with the Government of Gujarat, a position he held until 2003. During this period, he honed his clinical skills and built a strong foundation in patient care. In 2003, he transitioned to an administrative role as Superintendent and Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) with the Government of Gujarat, where he served until 2010. His leadership in this role was instrumental in enhancing healthcare delivery at the district level. In 2010, Dr. Bhavsar joined GMERS Medical College, Sola, Ahmedabad, as an Assistant Professor and Superintendent. His tenure, which lasted until June 2018, was marked by his dual role in both academic instruction and hospital administration, contributing to the growth and development of the institution. Following this, he was appointed Deputy Director with the Government of Gujarat from June 2018 to September 2019, where he played a key role in overseeing various health programs and initiatives. Dr. Bhavsar then briefly returned to academia as an Associate Professor at GMERS Medical College from October 2019 to March 2020 before assuming the role of Additional Director of Medical Services from March 2020 to March 2022. In this capacity, he was responsible for the overall supervision and strategic direction of medical services within the state, demonstrating his expertise in both medical and administrative domains. Currently, Dr. Bhavsar serves as an Associate Professor at Dr. M.K. Shah Medical College and Research Centre, a position he has held since April 2022. His ongoing commitment to medical education and patient care continues to inspire both his colleagues and students. Dr. Hitendra Kumar K. Bhavsar's career is a testament to his dedication to the field of medicine and his significant impact on healthcare administration and medical education in Gujarat.
Ms. Pratima Hiralal Mali
Ms. Pratima Hiralal Mali is a distinguished nursing professional renowned for her extensive contributions to nursing education, practice, administration, and research. She currently serves as the Director of Nursing at Lokmanya College of Nursing Education & Research, Ahmedabad, and previously held the position of Principal at the Government College of Nursing, Ahmedabad. Her outstanding dedication was recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Nursing Scholar Society on June 26, 2022. Ms. Mali's impressive career spans 18 years as a Principal and Director, complemented by 23 years of teaching experience in nursing colleges and six years of clinical practice. She earned her Master's degree in Pediatric Nursing from R.A.K College of Nursing, Delhi University, in 1987. Her scholarly contributions include published articles in the Journal of the Trained Nurses Association of India, addressing topics such as the management of hypothermia and the role of nurses in phototherapy. Her international experience includes visiting Sweden in 2006 under the CIDA Project by the Government of Gujarat. Ms. Mali has contributed to the development of nursing curricula as a course writer for the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi, in 2000 and 2002. She has also held significant administrative roles, such as being appointed to the Joint Admission Committee (Medical) in 2005 and serving as a member secretary in nursing by the Government of Gujarat. Ms. Mali has been an ad-hoc inspector for the Indian Nursing Council, New Delhi, for various states including Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Punjab, for the past 20 years. She has also been an inspector for the Gujarat Nursing Council and Gujarat University for the last 25 years. Additionally, she has served as an external examiner for postgraduate and undergraduate nursing programs at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences and other universities across India. Her leadership roles extend to being an Assistant Coordinator and Examiner at IGNOU, Delhi, and participating in numerous conferences and seminars as a resource person. Ms. Mali has been an executive member of the Indian Association of Neonatal Nurses (IANN) since 2008 and has organized and conducted 30 workshops on various nursing topics. Her expertise includes Training of Trainers (TOT) on IMNCI, essential newborn care, and AIDS. Elected as the Chairperson of Nursing Education for the state branch of TNAI Gujarat for the past 15 years, Ms. Mali is also a life member of TNAI, NRSI, and NNF. Her dedication and influence in the field of nursing continue to inspire and shape the future of nursing education and practice in India.