Awards and Recognitions
Congratulations to Dr Wasim Hoda, Winner of the 2026 World Congress on Pain T-Shirt Design Contest
The Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC) extends its heartfelt congratulations to Dr Wasim Hoda (Fellow in Pain Medicine, Department of Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, AIIMS, New Delhi, India) on winning the 2026 World Congress on Pain T-Shirt Design Contest, organised by the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP).
The winning design was selected from the final four entries through an online community vote. Dr Hoda’s design received 522 of the 1,009 first-choice votes, securing the top position in the competition.
The official T-shirt will be available for purchase exclusively through the IASP Marketplace during the 2026 World Congress on Pain, scheduled to be held in Bangkok, Thailand, from 26th –30th October 2026. Proceeds from T-shirt sales will support the Congress’s financial aid initiative.
Describing the winning entry, the competition organisers noted that Dr Hoda’s design beautifully combines iconic elements of Thai culture, including the elephant and tuk-tuk, with universal symbols of healing such as the lotus and meditation. The central radiating waves represent pain as a shared human experience and symbolise the global dissemination of knowledge. According to the organisers, these elements reflect the spirit of the World Congress by bringing together pain research, the cultural context of Thailand, and international collaboration in advancing pain science.
Known for his artistic talent and creativity, Dr Hoda has consistently combined medicine with visual communication. His passion for integrating art and education is reflected in the acclaimed infographic series he develops for the Indian Association of Palliative Care. Published regularly through the IAPC newsletter, website, and social media platforms, these infographics have played an important role in raising awareness and promoting learning in palliative care.
Reflecting on this achievement, Dr Hoda said:
“I am truly honoured to have my design selected as the winning T-shirt design for the 2026 World Congress on Pain. My passion for blending creativity with medicine has been nurtured through creating monthly infographics for the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC), a journey that began over three years ago and continues to inspire me.”
He also expressed his gratitude to his colleagues, friends, and the wider pain and palliative care community for their encouragement and unwavering support throughout his journey.
Congratulations, Dr Wasim Hoda, on this remarkable achievement. May your unique blend of creativity, artistry, and commitment to healthcare continue to inspire and earn many more accolades in the years ahead.
Dr Republica Sridhar Honoured for Her Excellence in Service
Dr Republica Sridhar, a distinguished palliative and geriatric care physician from Chennai, has been honoured for her excellence in service in the field of palliative care
. She received the award at a special ceremony held in Chennai on 1st May, 2026 from Shri. Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, the Honourable Governor of Tamil Nadu. “
Dr Republica Sridhar has dedicated more than 30 years to the field of palliative care, making significant contributions to patient care, education, and service development. She is the Chairman of RMD Specialities Hospitals, Chennai. She is also the Founder Director of RMD Pain and Palliative Care Trust and Director of Aura Holistic Wellness, Chennai.
The Indian Association of Palliative Care extends its heartfelt congratulations to Dr Republica Sridhar on this well-deserved honour.
Dr Vanumu Divya Sai Receives the NBEMS President’s Gold Medal in Palliative Medicine
The NBEMS President’s Gold Medal in Palliative Medicine was presented to Dr Vanumu Divya Sai at the 23rd NBEMS Convocation held at Vigyan Bhavan, Central Secretariat, New Delhi, on 23rd May 2026. She received the prestigious award from the Hon’ble Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda.
Dr Divya Sai completed her DNB in Palliative Medicine from the Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, Hyderabad, securing the highest marks in the examination and earning the President’s Gold Medal. Her achievement has been widely celebrated by the palliative care community across India.
Reflecting on this proud moment, Dr Divya Sai shared:
“It was the moment palliative medicine was spoken out loud on a national stage—not as an afterthought, but as academic excellence. For a field that is often misunderstood as ‘end-of-life care’, this felt like recognition of something deeper: that comfort, dignity, and quality of life are not secondary to medicine—this is medicine.”
Dr Divya Sai also expressed her heartfelt gratitude to her mentors and colleagues:
“I am deeply grateful to my mentors, Dr Praneeth Suvvari, Dr Praveen, my oncology teams, and Dr Gayatri Palat, whose work continues to inspire my journey.”
In an emotional tribute, she acknowledged the unwavering support of her parents, saying:
“This moment meant even more because you were there to witness it.”
The Indian Association of Palliative Care congratulates Dr Divya Sai on this remarkable achievement. Her success is a proud moment and a testament to the growing academic excellence and recognition of the specialty in India.
As Dr Divya Sai herself has previously reflected, choosing palliative medicine is not always an easy path. Through her dedication, hard work, and excellence, she has demonstrated the immense value and impact of this field. We wish her continued success and look forward to her inspiring contributions to palliative care in the years ahead.