New Delhi: In a historic development, Dr Devaunshi Kaul from Safdarjung Hospital has been unanimously elected as the new President of the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) India. With this, she has become the first woman to lead a national-level resident doctors’ body, breaking the long-standing tradition of male leadership in the association.
Breaking Barriers in Leadership
Dr Kaul, who also served as the first woman president of the Safdarjung RDA, expressed pride in her achievement. “Women have had very limited representation in such positions, not because we cannot lead, but because opportunities are rarely given to us. I hope this inspires other women to step forward,” she told TNIE. She emphasised that women bring a different style of leadership—less aggressive, more balanced, and empathetic—which is vital for associations dealing with multiple stakeholders.
New Team Elected
Alongside Dr Kaul, Dr Meet Ghonla from the National Institute of TB and Respiratory Diseases and Dr Sarada Prasad Sahoo from Lady Hardinge Medical College have been elected as the new General Secretaries of FORDA. The leadership transition took place during the National Governing Council Meeting held at Lady Hardinge Medical College on September 22, 2025.
Representation from Across India
The meeting was attended by RDA Presidents, Secretaries, and representatives from major institutions, including Safdarjung Hospital, RML Hospital, LHMC, MAMC, GTB Hospital, NITRD, SGH, and St Stephen’s Hospital. Several State RDAs also joined online. The outgoing National Team (2022–2025) congratulated the new office bearers and extended best wishes for their tenure, noting that further expansion of the team will be announced soon.
A Milestone for Women in Medicine
Dr Kaul described her election as both humbling and a privilege. She noted that while men often ascend to leadership through networks, for women it is an “uphill climb.” Her success is being hailed as a milestone for gender representation in medical associations, symbolising progress toward inclusivity in the medical fraternity.
