Major Achievement for Lucknow’s Medical Fraternity
Lucknow: In a significant milestone for the city’s medical community, three distinguished doctors from Lucknow have been appointed as Executive Directors of prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) institutions located in Bibinagar, Patna, and Rae Bareli.
Key Appointments Announced
- Dr Amita Agarwal, former Professor and Head of the Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology at Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI), has been appointed as Executive Director of AIIMS, Bibinagar.
- Brig (Retd) Raju Agarwal, former Principal and Dean of the Career Institute of Medical Sciences & Hospital, will take charge as Executive Director of AIIMS, Patna.
- Dr Amita Jain, previously Dean (Academics) and Head of the Department of Microbiology at King George’s Medical University (KGMU), has been selected to lead AIIMS, Rae Bareli.
Expressing her views, Dr Amita Jain told TOI, “I am awaiting the formal appointment letter before outlining my plans for AIIMS, Rae Bareli. Once I join, I will set clear targets for institutional development.”
Profiles of the Appointed Doctors
- Dr Amita Agarwal is a renowned clinical immunologist and rheumatologist, celebrated for her research in autoimmune rheumatic diseases, particularly Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). She is a recipient of the Shakuntala Amir Chand Award and the National Bioscience Award for Career Development (2004). An elected fellow of multiple prestigious academies, Dr Agarwal holds an MBBS and MD from AIIMS, New Delhi, and a DM in Clinical Immunology from SGPGI.
- Dr Amita Jain has a distinguished career in microbiology, having completed her MBBS (1982), MD (Microbiology, 1986), and Ph.D. (2017) from KGMU. She holds several accolades, including the Prof. U.C. Chaturvedi Oration, Vishwa Gaurav Samman (2022), and multiple fellowships, such as the Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists (London) and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). She has also earned awards for excellence in research and teaching.
- Dr Raju Agarwal earned his MBBS from the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) and an MD in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, with specialization as a Fellow in Gynaecological Oncology.
Significance of the Appointments
Prof JD Rawat, senior member of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Lucknow, remarked, “The decision reflects the city’s strong standing in medical education and healthcare. Having three doctors from Lucknow entrusted with leadership roles in AIIMS institutions is a matter of immense pride for our medical community.”
