Awards and Recognitions
Ms. Meenu Yadav awarded the ‘IAPC’s Gold Medal for Nurses 2025’
We are delighted to announce that Ms. Meenu Yadav from Rajasthan has been awarded the ‘IAPC’s Gold Medal for Nurses 2025’. Ms Yadav has completed her BSc in Nursing from Government College of Nursing, Jaipur, Rajasthan and is currently working as a Nursing Officer at AIIMS, Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
The ‘IAPC’s Gold Medal for Nurses’ initiative was introduced in 2024 to encourage excellence in palliative care nursing.
Mr. Samim Reja Biswas from Bengaluru is the first runner-up and Mr. Mussaib Mushtaq from Baramulla, Jammu & Kashmir is the second runner-up, in the final examination.
Ms Yadav was declared the winner after securing the highest score among the three candidates who participated in the in-person final examination (a rigorous 6-hour examination featuring 3 sections: Theory, OSCE and a Viva-Voce), which was held on Monday, 3rd November,2025 at the Institute of Nursing Sciences, Bhaikaka University, Karamsad, Gujarat. The six finalists were shortlisted from the 40 nurses participated in the Step 1 online examination from across the country.
Ms Yadav will be presented with an award of Rs. 25,000/- (Twenty-five thousand only), a citation, and a medal, during the 33rd International Conference of the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPCON 2026), scheduled to be held in Hyderabad, between Friday, 13th to Sunday, 15th February, 2026.
The Step II final examination process was supervised by Dr Geeta Joshi (President, IAPC) and coordinated and guided by Dr Dinesh Kumar (Coordinator, IAPC’s Gold Medal for Nurses 2025 and Professor, Department of Community Medicine, PSMC, Karamsad). Dr. Asha Shetty (Principal, College of Nursing, AIIMS, Bhubaneshwar), Mr. Sachin Dwivedi (Clinical Instructor, Center for Excellence in Nursing Education & Research, AIIMS, Rishikesh), Mr. Terrymize I (Program Manage: Projects and Advocacy, Indian Association of Palliative Care, Dr Dinesh Kumar (Professor, Department of Community Medicine, PSMC, Karamsad) were the examiners for the Step II examination.
The IAPC extends its heartiest congratulations and best wishes to Ms Meenu Yadav, all the other finalists, and all candidates participated in the Step I online examination.
We extend our gratitude to all the examiners for meticulously conducting this examination.
The IAPC also thanks Dr Dinesh Kumar and Ms. Anna Rao from Bhaikaka University for passionately co-ordinating the entire process.
IAPC Congratulates Dr. Naveen Salins on His New Role as Director of Research at MAHE
IAPC is delighted to announce that Dr. Naveen Salins (Professor & Head, Department of Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, and Secretary General, Academy of Palliative Medicine) has been entrusted with the distinguished role of Director of Research at the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE)—a prestigious Institution of Eminence and deemed-to-be university.
Reflecting on this milestone, Dr. Salins shared: “After an exciting 2 years and 8 months as Associate Dean for Research at KMC Manipal, this opportunity will enable me to collaborate with faculty across health sciences, technology and science, as well as management, law, humanities, social sciences, and liberal arts at the university. I look forward to this exciting journey.”
In his expanded role, Dr. Salins brings with him a dynamic and impactful research portfolio. Most recently, his team at MAHE received a grant of Rs. 12,84,158 under the Clinical and Applied Research (CAR) Programme of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to lead a pioneering multi-centre palliative care research project- making it the largest grant ever awarded for a palliative care research initiative in India.
The IAPC extends its warmest congratulations to Dr. Salins on this well-deserved achievement. His continued leadership, academic and clinical excellence, and unwavering commitment to advancing palliative care research serve as an inspiration to the entire community.
We wish him continued success and many more milestones in his journey ahead.
Dr Archa Santhosh Wins Bruce Davis Gold Medal 2025
We are delighted to share that Dr Archa Santhosh (MD Palliative Medicine Resident, Department of Palliative Medicine, TMH, Mumbai) is the recipient of the ‘Bruce Davis Gold Medal 2025, in the final examination conducted at the Institute of Palliative Medicine (IPM), Kozhikode, Kerala, on Monday, 10th November, 2025.
Dr Archa Santhosh beats 69 candidates after successfully navigating a rigorous evaluation process involving three steps. 69 candidates participated in the Step I National level online screening test. Those who scored first 8 ranks in the online screening test were invited for Step 2 Viva -voce conducted online. The step 3, final examination was conducted at IPM which includes an assessment of theory and practical sessions for the 3 finalists selected from the step 2.
Dr Archa Santhosh will receive the Bruce Davis Medal, a Citation, and a cash award of INR 20,000/- (Rupees twenty thousand only) during the 33rd International Conference of Indian Association of Palliative Care, scheduled to be held in Hyderabad from 13 to 15 February 2025.
Dr Aby John Thampi, and Dr Ritwik Ray were the other candidates who participated in the Step 3 Final examination.
Dr Lulu Mathews (Program Director, Academics, IPM) was the coordinator of Bruce Davis Gold Medal Examination in 2025, while Dr Anil Paleri (Consultant, WHOCC, IPM), and Dr Vineetha Rijju (Consultant, Palliative Medicine and Community Oncology, Department of Pain and Palliative Medicine Aster Medicity Kochi) were the examiners.
The Bruce Davis Gold Medal Award was instituted by the Institute of Palliative Medicine, Kozhikode, with an aim to improve awareness about palliative care among young doctors in India. The award is named after Mr. Wilfrid Bruce Davis, MBE, UK, the founder of the W. B. Davis Charitable Trust, UK, to honour him for his immense contributions towards the development of Palliative Care in India.
Congratulations, Dr Archa Santosh! We wish you continued growth.
Dr Sushma Bhatnagar Featured in Stanford University’s List of the World’s Top 2% Scientists for 2025
We are delighted to share that Dr Sushma Bhatnagar (Past President, IAPC) a renowned leader and pioneer in Palliative Care, has been featured in Stanford University’s prestigious Global List of the Top 2% Scientists for 2025, based on international research impact and citation metrics.
Dr Bhatnagar, Former Chief of Dr BRA IRCH, AIIMS Delhi, and currently the Clinical Lead in Palliative Medicine at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, is one among fourteen esteemed members of the Editorial Board of Apollo Medicine to receive this global recognition. This honour celebrates her remarkable contributions in medical research.
Congratulations, Dr Sushma Bhatnagar, on this well-deserved global honour!
Lakshmi Pain and Palliative Care Trust Celebrates its silver jubilee
Lakshmi Pain and Palliative Care Trust, Chennai has successfully completed 25 years of rendering palliative care services. The Trust celebrated its Silver Jubilee with a grand and soulful ceremony held in Chennai. The celebration brought together doctors, staff, and supporters and was marked by heartfelt reflections and events honouring the organisation’s 25 years of service.
Dr. Jerard Selvam (Additional Director, National Health Mission, Tamil Nadu) was the Guest of Honour. Honourable Justice Mr. S. Vaidyanathan (Former Chief Justice High Court of Meghalaya), was the Chief Guest. The occasion was graciously graced by Dr. Thayalan, Dr. Amrutha Deiyvanayagam, Dr. Mallika Tiruvadanan, and Mrs. Sangeetha Vadanan (Trustees, Lakshi Pain and Palliative Care Trust).
Reflecting on this moment of accomplishment, Dr. Mallika Tiruvadanan, Founder Trustee, shared: “Compassion and competence have been the two guiding principles behind our services. We believe that freedom from pain is a basic human right and that palliative care should be accessible to all, regardless of financial status. Our mission began with the goal of relieving suffering among patients with chronic and life-limiting illnesses.”
She added that the healthcare professionals of Lakshmi Pain and Palliative Care Trust received their palliative care training from the Pain and Palliative Care Society (PPCS), Kozhikode. “We remain grateful to our mentors,” said Dr. Mallika Tiruvadanan.
The late Dr. Subathra Muthukumaran, who had been instrumental in leading many key initiatives of the Trust, was fondly remembered during the programme.
The Trust was established with the mission to provide free consultations, medicines, home care, and inpatient services for those in need. The multidisciplinary team—comprising doctors, nurses, psychologists, volunteers, and administrators—continues to work with dedication under the guidance of the Trustees.
Since 2008, Lakshmi Pain and Palliative Care Trust has been successfully conducting training programmes for doctors and nurses in collaboration with the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC). The Trust also played a pivotal role in advocacy efforts with the Tamil Nadu Health Department from 2003 onwards, leading to improved access to oral morphine and culminating in a major milestone in 2007. The issuance of the ‘Standard Operating Procedure’ in 2007 by the Drug Control Directorate enabled smoother implementation of essential drug policies.
Since 2017, through the National Health Mission, the Trust has organised training for doctors and nurses from all 32 District Headquarters Hospitals, which helped establish palliative care OPDs across Tamil Nadu. Training was also conducted under the ‘Makkal Thedi Maruthuvam’ programme, empowering 200 nurses to provide doorstep care. Faculty from Laksmi Pain and Palliative Care Trust also took lead in designing the curriculum for the Palliative Care Fellowship Program under MGR Medical University.
Training initiatives for social workers and public awareness programmes have been ongoing since the Trust’s inception. The Trust’s services were continued uninterrupted, even during the pandemic.
“We remain deeply grateful to our donors, whose support sustains our services. As we mark 25 years, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring palliative care reaches every patient in Tamil Nadu. Our journey will be complete when palliative care is firmly embedded in the MBBS curriculum,” said Dr. Mallika Tiruvadanan, sharing the Trust’s vision for the future.
The IAPC extends its heartfelt wishes and support to Lakshmi Pain and Palliative Care Trust for their continued progress in advancing palliative care.