GSMC – FAIMER REGIONAL INSTITUTE

Bionote of 2014 Fellows

Dr. Haritha Kumari Nimmagadda

Hi! I am Dr. Haritha K. N, presently working as Assistant

Professor in the department Of Anatomy, since March 2010, in MGM

Medical College, Navi Mumbai. I am born and brought up in Guntur, Andhra

Pradesh. I did my Medical M.Sc in 2008 from Kasturba Medical College,

Manipal University, Karnataka, and PhD in Medical Anatomy from Mahatma

Gandhi Mission’s Institute of Health Sciences in 2013. I started my

academic journey as Tutor in Anatomy from Katuri Medical College, Guntur where I worked from

2008 to 2009 before moving to Mumbai. I have been involved in teaching of Anatomy to

undergraduates and postgraduates of medical, paramedical and nursing students. My total

experience of teaching anatomy is about 4 years and 8 months. Further, I have had significant

experience in teaching students with social, economic, and linguistic backgrounds that differ

significantly from my own. Such experiences impressed upon me the importance of not being

wedded to a particular teaching methodology. Failure to be flexible in this regard results in

frustration for students and teacher alike. It is Cliché’, I suppose, to say that teaching is itself a

continual learning process, but it is accurate nonetheless. Seldom have I finished teaching a course

without feeling the need to address either my teaching style or my take on the material.

Something similar can be said, I think, for my contact with unfamiliar anatomical views. It is the

draw of being challenged with new ideas, in and out of the classroom, which makes anatomy the

object of my life’s work. I am excited for being selected and looking forward to a lifelong

association with so many of efficient faculty across the world. From the fellowship, I wish to learn

the depths of medical education and research and groom my leadership skills.

Dr. Kirti Patel

Hi! I am Kirti Patel, presently working as deputy superintendent

and Professor of anesthesiology, Smt. N. H. L. Municipal Medical College,

AHMEDABAD. I am born and brought up in Ahmedabad. I did my MBBS

and MD (anesthesiology) from B. J. Medical College, Ahmedabad in 1980.

Apart from taking care of the patients I have been involved in teaching

of undergraduates and postgraduates of medical students. I am Convener of

Regional training center for faculty development, MCI Ahmedabad and President of Ahmadabad city

branch of ISA (Indian Society of Anaesthesiologist). Stress management, motivation, positive

thinking and attitude, beliefs values and feelings, team building etc. are my favorite subjects on

which I am regularly taking lectures. I am blessed with two daughters- Dr. Ushma

(Anaesthesiologist) and Zeal (architect and master from CEPT, Ahmedabad). I look forward and

wish to learn more about ‘art and science’ of medical education and research as I am blessed with

this fellowship.

Dr. Mariya Prakash Jiandani

Hi! I am, Mariya Prakash Jiandani, born and brought up in

Mumbai. I am presently working as an Assoc Professor in Physiotherapy

at P.T.School & Centre, Seth GSMC & KEMH. Professionally my journey

begins with UG from Seth GSMC & KEMH (1989) and PG from LTMMC

Sion (1992), under the guidance of Prof Bharati V Bellare. I worked as a

Jr.Physiotherapist in LTMMC and was transferred as a lecturer to KEMH

in 1993. Teaching UG and PG students since then has been a pleasure. I

have loved working on physiotherapy syllabus and improvising it .Planning

academic programme, exams and clinical teaching for both UG and PG students is one of the few

other responsibilities I share in the department. Clinically my interest lies in cardiopulmonary and

Critical care physiotherapy. At the organization level I hold the responsibility as a treasurer of

Mumbai Branch of IAP.When not at work I am a homemaker. We are a family of four .My husband

Prakash is an intensivist with Lilavati Hospital, daughter Farah is studying in Ist MBBS at

Pad. Dr D Y Patil medical college,Navi Mumbai and my son Souhaan has entered into final year

(X std ) of schooling. It was always a great pleasure listening and learning from stalwarts like Mdm

Rege, Supe Sir, Patwardhan Sir and Bhuiyan Mdm in various workshops of MET. I am extremely

happy to have received this opportunity to learn and grow. Looking forward to FAIMER and meeting

new people, new ideas and a better understanding of learning and teaching.

Dr. Pradnya Veer

Hi! I am Pradnya, working as Assistant Professor in the

Department of Microbiology,Grant Government Medical College and Sir J.J

Hospital, Mumbai. I have graduated from Government Medical College,

Ambejogai and completed Post Graduation from Government Medical

College, Aurangabad. Teach Medical Microbiology to Second MBBS, BDS,

Basic and Post Basic Nursing, BPMT and DMLT students. Participate as

teaching faculty in conducting Phlebotomy and Biomedical Waste

Management Workshop. After completing Basic and Advance Course in Medical Education and

Technology, I felt the need to do FAIMER Fellowship for becoming good facilitator while

conducting teaching sessions and improvising professional skills. Knowledge and experience gained

during the Fellowship will help to contribute in the ME Unit at our Institute

Dr. Naresh Nebhinani

Hi! I am Naresh, presently working as an Assistant Professor in

Department of Psychiatry at AIIMS, Jodhpur, Rajasthan. I did MBBS from

S.M.S. Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, and MD and Senior Residency from

P.G.I.M.E.R, Chandigarh. Thereafter I started my journey as a teacher,

clinician, researcher, and administrator from P.G.I.M.S., Rohtak, Haryana in

2012, and later moved to current place. I have special interest in teaching

and learning. I have taken several lectures for MBBS students, Postgraduate

students of Psychiatry and Medicine, Nursing students, Social work and Psychology students at my

current and earlier institutions. I have been interacting with school and college students in

Chandigarh and Jodhpur for various mental health issues especially drug deaddiction, stress

management, positive psychology and mental health. My quench for FAIMER fellowship started just

after my first meeting to FAIMER fellow at AIIMS Jodhpur. It further multiplied after

interacting with other fellows in and outside our institution. Their fantastic knowledge and

applications about medical education fascinated me for being a better teacher as well as learner.

Now after joining faculty position at new institution, I need to improve myself to give my best to my

students, trainees, institution and also to scientific communities. It will be my pleasure and privilege

to receive pearls of wisdom from eminent faculty members and colleagues. I am sure that I will gain

enormously from this vibrant association.

Dr. Nettem Sowmya

Hi! I am Sowmya, currently employed as Assistant Professor,

Department of Periodontics at Faculty of Dentistry, Melaka–Manipal Medical

College, Malaysia. I was born in Kerala, a state famous for its lush greenery

and aptly titled as ‘God’s own country’. After school education, I pursued my

dream of becoming a health care professional and as a first step, completed

my BDS from Sri Ramakrishna Dental College and Hospital, Coimbatore. Post

graduation was completed from SRM Dental College and Hospital, Chennai,

Tamil Nadu in 2009, where I received the first rank certificate and gold

medal for excellence in education. During the period of 2009 to early 2011, I worked at Amrita

Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), Kerala. After my marriage, I worked at S.B Patil Dental

College and Hospital, Karnataka for 6 months before shifting base to Malaysia. I met my andhrite

husband, Dr. Sunil Kumar during my post graduation days and a story in the similar lines of “2

States” happened! He is presently working as Head of Department, Department of Periodontics and

Oral Implantology at the same Institution. He continues to be an amazingly encouraging colleague

and a strong pillar of support in all my endeavors. A new entrant into our lives, we recently

welcomed our bundle of joy, our now 8 months old son, Smyan Narayan. An eagerness to learn and

assimilate newer ideas and concepts from highly knowledgeable contemporaries aspired me to apply

for this prestigious FAIMER fellowship. As the first dentist representing our Institution at

FAIMER, I feel extremely humbled to have received this opportunity and equally excited to be a

part of the esteemed FAIMER family.

Dr. Priyadarshini

Hi! I am Priyadarshini. Currently I am working as an Assistant

Professor in the department of Physiology, L.T.M.M.C., Sion, Mumbai. I have

done my M.B.B.S. and M.D. in Human physiology from V.S.S.Medical College,

Burla. Before joining L.T.M.M.C., I have worked as a senior resident in

V.M.M.C. & Safdurjung Hospital and as a lecturer in Padmashree Dr.D.Y.Patil

Medical College, Nerul. My husband Dr. Kamakhya Prasad Das, has completed

his M.H.A. from TISS and is now working as Head of Underwriting and

Claims,RGA. We are blessed with two kids, Siddhi (10yrs) and Sarthak (5yrs). I am extremely happy

to have joined GSMC FAIMER. My motto is ‘ Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you

were to live forever.’

Dr. Poonam R. Naik

Hi! I am Dr Poonam R Naik currently working as Professor in

Department of Community Medicine in Yenepoya Medical College, Yenepoya

University, Mangalore, Karnataka. I was born in Kumta, Karnataka. I have

completed my schooling in Mumbai. I did my MBBS from Terana Medical

College, Navi-Mumbai and my post graduation in Preventive and Social

Medicine from Seth GS Medical College, Mumbai in 2004. Having completed

my MD I was selected as WHO–RNTCP- Medical Consultant and I was posted

in Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh providing technical support to the

neighbouring 3 districts. I started my teaching career in 2006 in Hyderabad. Having undergone

Basic Course Workshop Training in Medical Education, I am actively involved as a resource person

of Medical Education Unit of our institute. I am the UG and PG Teaching Training coordinator in our

institute. I am a member of the committee for designing curriculum and teaching training modules

to initiate Public Health Ethics Diploma in our University. I am intrinsically motivated for research

and have published my research work in indexed National and International journals. I have guided

ICMR STS projects. I have been a resource person for Orientation workshop conducted for

Postgraduates on “Basic Research Skills”. As a working Team member of “Centre for Substance

Abuse Prevention”, I coordinate community activities related to behavior change and

communication. My husband and friend, Dr Abhay Nirgude, a FAIMER Fellow has been a

motivational force for me to apply for this prestigious Fellowship. We are blessed with two star

kids, son Vedang, 7 years old and daughter Vaishnavi 4 years old. It’s a great pleasure and honour

having been selected for FAIMER Fellowship in Seth G S Medical College. It’s a “Dream come true”.

Having done my post graduation from the same institute I am glad to come back to my home

institute. FAIMER Fellowship will facilitate me to interact with like - minded people thus promoting

information sharing. FAIMER will empower me with requisite knowledge to expand Health

Professions Education and successfully accomplish the goal of community development. With

blessings of GOD, I foresee my aspirations and ideas to be concretized with FAIMER Fellowship.

Dr. Rahul Ramesh Bogam

Hi! I am Dr. Rahul Ramesh Bogam currently working as a faculty in

the Department of Community Medicine, Bharati Vidyapeeth University

Medical College, Pune. I have done my M.D. in Community Medicine, from

Bharati Vidyapeeth and PGDHHM from Symbiosis International

University. I have published many research papers in national and

international journals. I am a faculty for our ‘Research Methodology

Workshop.’ I am one of the resource faculties appointed by City

Tuberculosis Cell, Pune for ‘RNTCP Orientation Programme’ at Institute level. My book titled

‘Mnemonic in Preventive and Social Medicine’ is the first book in PSM/Community Medicine field

where topic wise mnemonics in PSM are given. I love dancing and I am theatre artist. I am delighted

for being selected for FAIMER Fellowship and I am looking forward to have interactions with

stalwarts in medical education field. I express my sincere gratitude to Dr.Vivek Saoji – Principal,

Bharati Vidyapeeth University Medical College, Pune for guiding me as well as being constant source

of inspiration for me to apply for this prestigious fellowship.

Dr. Sheila Mathai

Hi! I am Dr. Sheila Mathai. As an Armed Forces doctor working

with the Indian Navy, I have had the food fortune of staying in different

parts of the country and coming into contact with doctors, paramedics,

nurses and medical students from varied backgrounds. I am alumnus of the

Armed forces Medical College Pune and am presently posted as Prof & HOD

(pediatrics) at the same Institute. I have done my DM Neonatology from

Lokmanya Tilak Medical College, Mumbai. I strongly believe that a doctor or

a health care worker is only as good as the training he or she receives and

that medical education is field of great importance. I am passionate about patient care and training

and believe that teaching is writing short stories. My husband is a neurosurgeon and we have a

daughter who has recently graduated on Economics from St Stephens College Delhi and stepped

into the corporate world. I feel honored to be selected for the FAIMER fellowship and look

forward to lots of learning and sharing.

Dr. Shobna Bhatia

Hi! My name is Shobna Bhatia. I am currently working in the

Department of Gastroenterology at the twin institutes of Seth G S Medical

College and K E M Hospital at Mumbai. I did my undergraduate and

postgraduate training in LTM Medical College. I joined KEM Hospital as a

Lecturer in Internal Medicine, and then completed my DNB in

Gastroenterology in these institutions. My special interest is in managing

patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders, especially those related

to the esophagus. I did a fellowship in esophageal manometry and pHmetry at Philadelphia, USA, and

then helped to set up the first Swallowing Clinic in India dedicated to care of swallowing disorders

in 1992. In 2006, we set up the first Liver Clinic in western India dedicated to care of Liver disease

patients; currently, almost 10000 patients with liver disease have been registered. I have served as

Editor-in-Chief of the Indian Journal of Gastroenterology for 5 years. In recent years, I have been

disturbed by the lack of expert medical care in the rural areas of India. I have felt the need to

empower the physicians in these peripheral areas, so that patients living in remote areas can avoid

the need to travel to cities even for primary care. I am exited about being a part of FAIMER. I am

sure that I will enjoy interacting with like-minded people.

Dr. Subita P. Patil

Hi! I am Subita P. Patil, currently I am working as Assistant

Professor in Department of Community Medicine at LTMMC & GH, Sion,

and Mumbai. It’s a great feeling to be back in my alma mater. I was born

in Thane, a lake city. I completed my MBBS from LTMMC & GH, MD

(Community Medicine) from GSMC & KEMH, Associate Fellow of

Industrial Health (AFIH) from Central Labour Institute, Diploma in

Hospital Administration (TISS) and Post-Graduate Diploma in Medico

legal Systems. I have experience of working across the various streams

in Healthcare viz. occupational health, nongovernmental organisation

(NGO), medical education etc. The, three years in Preventive Oncology at TMH, Parel enhanced my

strengths in supervision, monitoring while field visits in tribal, rural and urban slum area. I have also

completed training in “Colposcopy & LEEP” in management of cervical cancer, conducted by WHO-

IARC-CNCI, Kolkata. Seeing smiles of cancer patients while interacting and curing them gave me

immense joy and satisfaction. I firmly believe that a successful doctor is the one who remains a

student forever. With this philosophy in mind I decided to take up medical education as profession

and joined at LTMMC & GH to continue to be student and also to contribute to bring out responsible

doctors of the future. As teaching in-charge of MBBS, Bpth, Both, BPMT, Nursing, I like employ

innovative ways of teaching learning. I was also principle coordinator and faculty for certificate

course conducted by NGO in collaboration with MUHS. I have also shouldered responsibilities of

Satellite disease surveillance unit in-charge, outreach activities, urban health centre & have been

instrumental in inception of Palliative care clinic. My source of inspiration is my husband, a

petrochemical engineer and MBA working as Head communications for South Asia Region with a

multinational company. Pranav has been a great support and have been always encouraging. Mihika,

my sincere and loving daughter (12) and four years old naughty son Rigved makes my family

wonderful. I have inherited teaching as my mother was Head mistress and father was businessman.

It would not have been possible for me to reach where I am today, without support of my parents,

brother and my in laws. I am honoured and privileged to be selected for this prestigious course that

will indeed enrich my teaching capabilities and will help raising the quality of medical education at

large.

Dr. Sushil G. Kachewar

Hi! I am Sushil G. Kachewar. I am enjoying my existence as a full

time Clinical as well as Academic Professor in Radio-diagnosis Department of

the Rural Medical College of Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences(DU), Loni,

Maharashtra, India. Dr. Smita Sankaye-Kachewar my wife [an Assistant

Professor in Pathology at RMC, Loni] and my 8 years son Nimeesh are the pole

stars of my life. Together with my parents, we love and live life in Loni. We all

enjoy music, reading, travel and games. Medical education gave me graduation

[MBBS:1994] as well as post graduation [MD-Radio-diagnosis:2004] from MGIMS, Sewagram; DNB

[NBE, New Delhi:2005] and a Ph.D [PIMS (DU), Loni:2014]. A short fellowship in Vascular and

Interventional Radiology [GMC, Nagpur: 2012] brought a completeness to my speciality as I tasted

the best of both the worlds -diagnostic view as well as the interventional purview. I reciprocated

by discovering "The K-G Waves of the Pravara Effect" and "The DASK Syndrome" and by inventing

"Reviewer Index." I have contributed to the corpus of scientific literature in my speciality in

terms of half a dozen textbooks and over six dozens of research articles. Meanwhile, the bug of

Medical Education Technology bit me and made me undergo the Basic [2010] as well as Advanced

[2012] course from IMETTT, MUHS regional centre, Pune. My Faimer education innovation project

entitled "DISHA- A new Protocol for Breaking Bad News", is my humble floral offering on this

frontier. As a Member of Institutional Board of Studies, Institutional Ethical Cell and a Faculty

for Institutional MET and Research Methodology Workshops; I am in a position to sow as well as

reap the very best that FAIMER has to offer. I come with the faith that this fellowship from

FAIMER will ensure that the seeds of MET in all of us, flower and flourish; so that as we explore

this wonderful new world together; we nurture and nourish our stay and make way for bright new

day. Looking forward to meet the faculty and the other fellows at Mumbai.

Dr. Tejal Patel

Hi, I am Tejal, working as Associate Professor in the

Dept. of Pharmacology & Therapeutics at Seth GS Medical College & KEM

Hospital, Mumbai. I have graduated from the same institute and completed

my M.D. from T. N. Medicalcollege & BYN Nair Hospital. Apart from

teaching IInd year medical students, I look after the Ayurveda Research

Centre of my Dept. We are a family of three, My husband, Dentist by

profession and a son who is studying in 9th std. I enjoy of travelling and listening to music. I have

always loved teaching may be since I have seen my mom teaching. I have been associated with the

medical education activities since past few years and deeply wanted to do FAIMER fellowship.

Realizing the detailed objectives of FAIMER I felt that this fellowship would be a great

opportunity to further refining my teaching skills and develop qualities required to become a good

academician. This experience will surely help in improvising my personal as well as professional skills.

It feels great that I have been selected this time for this fellowship. With the guidance from the

FAIMER faculty I hope I shall be able to incorporate the same into my teaching and expand my

horizon and can contribute more in the ME unit of our institute.

Dr. Vishakha Shinde

Hello! I am Vishakha, presently working as an Assistant

Professor in the department of Physiotherapy, L.T.M.M.C & G.H, Mumbai. I

have been associated with this institute since 2008 & have been MUHS

postgraduate guide since 2009 and a member of MET cell of this institute.

Previously, I have worked as a lecturer at Pad.Dr.D.Y.Patil college of

physiotherapy, Navi Mumbai from 2004-2008. I did my under graduation &

postgraduation from Seth G.S. Medicalcollege & K.E. M hospital. I topped

the university of Mumbai in the postgraduate course. In this continuous journey of mine, I have

enjoyed unconditional support & encouragement from my husband Dr. Sandeep Patil, himself a

leading physiotherapist in Vashi, Navi Mumbai. I am also indebted to my parents & elder sisters who

have been a continuous source of inspiration to me. I am very happy that I have been selected for

the FAIMER fellowship & look forward to be with so many creative, resourceful people across the

globe. I am sure this fellowship will improve my understanding of medical education & research and

go a long way in my search for excellence.

Dr. Zachariah Bobby

Hi! I am Dr. Zachariah Bobby, Professor in the Dept. of

Biochemistry JIPMER, Puducherry. I did my M.Sc (Medical Biochemistry)

from Kasturba Medical College, Manipal and Ph.D from Sree Chitra Tiruanl

Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum. I have been

involved in teaching students of various medical and paramedical courses at

JIPMER for the last 22 yrs. I have been recently recruited as resource

person of the National Teachers Training Course (NTTC) programme

conducted by our Institute. I would like to effectively contribute to the educational spiral –

Objectives, T/L methods and evaluation, both as a resource person and as a researcher. As a

researcher I could publish few papers in the field of medical education. My wife, Dr. Sajini is

working as Asst. Professor of Pathology in the same institute. We are blessed with one daughter,

Anju who is in the 12th standard. I am extremely grateful to be selected for this prestigious

fellowship. I would like to be one among the medical educationists who could think and bring about

changes which ultimately results in better patient care. I am sure my association with Faimer will

enable me in achieving the same.