Governance
Governing Body
President
Dr. Natesh B H
Dr. Natesh, a senior cardiologist with 27 years of experience, currently runs cardiac services at Buddha Global Heart Care in Vijayanagar, Bangalore, and is associated with the Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research. He completed his MBBS from Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute in 1993, earned his FIPC from Sri Jayadeva Institute in 2011, and was conferred FIAP, FICC, and FCSI, before completing his DM in Cardiology from Sri Jayadeva in 2015. Over the years, he has served as a postgraduate teacher, guide, and examiner for 25 years at BMC and SJICR, contributing extensively to medical education. Actively involved in professional bodies, he has been elected as the South Zone Executive Board Member of the Cardiological Society of India, served as Joint Secretary of CSI Karnataka, Vice President of CSI Bangalore, and Treasurer of the Indian College of Cardiology. In recognition of his contributions, Dr. Natesh has been honored with several prestigious awards, including the Vaidya Seva Rathna, Karnataka Vaidya Rathna, and the Indo-Vietnam Iconic International Award.
Vice President
Dr. A B Patil
Dr. Ashokraj Bapugouda Patil is an Agriculture Advisor at Government of Karnataka. He is a distinguished agriculture expert with over 45 years of experience spanning academia, research, and policy-making. He has served in key leadership roles including Registrar, Director of Extension, and Head of Department at prominent agricultural universities in Karnataka. A prolific researcher and educator, Dr. Patil has guided 17 postgraduate and doctoral scholars, authored 17 books, and managed 17 major projects with a cumulative outlay exceeding ₹15 crores. His global exposure includes visits to 20 countries, and his contributions to agricultural science and education have earned him 25 prestigious awards at international, national, and state levels.
Secretary & CEO
Mr. S J Chander
Mr. S J Chander a Public Health Professional primarily engaged in the voluntary sector. He holds M. Phil in Sociology and PG Diploma in Community Health Management from Christian Medical College, Vellore. He has more than 25 years of experience in addressing various public health issues as a trainer, researcher, policy advocate and program management. Tobacco Control is one of his passions and he is keen to address the issues with children, youth and public at large. He has been part of many awareness campaigns targeted for children and youth. He has personally reached out to thousands of students by imparting lessons on life skills. He has been working for tobacco control since last 20 years. He has participated at the Global Tobacco Control Conference in Cape Town, South Africa and was a panelist in two panel discussions held at the Asia Pacific Tobacco Conference in Indonesia. He is one of the founding members of Consortium for Tobacco-Free Karnataka (CFTFK) and FSHI and is currently the Operations Head of Maya Health.
Co-founder
Dr. Pratima Murthy
Prof. Pratima Murthy is a Psychiatrist and Director at NIMHANS. She completed her MBBS from Bangalore Medical College and pursued her Diploma and MD in Psychiatry from NIMHANS. She has made substantial contribution towards development of National guidelines for tobacco cessation. She also has been part of creation of training manuals developed by the WHO and Government of India on tobacco cessation for WHO SEARO as well as tobacco and alcohol prevention in non-communicable disease programs. She is consultant to WHO Geneva and to the International Telecommunications Union for cessation of tobacco and has helped to develop the protocol for cessation in India. She has headed the Centre for Addiction Medicine for many years and is the lead for the Tobacco Quitline at NIMHANS. She has been one of the founding members of the Consortium for Tobacco Free Karnataka (CFTFK).
Treasurer
Dr. C Sheshgiri
Dr. C. Sheshgiri holds MBBS, MS (Anat) degrees and many fellowships. Presently, he is the director at TRR Institute of Medical Sciences, Telangana. He has served as professor, Dean and Joint Director, WIMS, Kerala, President IMA Bangalore and Senate member of RGUHS. He is the recipient of many awards and accolades. He has proved his mettle as an excellent academician, efficient administrator, inspiring leader, and affable mentor. He has a track record of approximately 35 years of glowing teaching experience and grooming thousands of undergraduates and many postgraduate medical students. He is quite vocal about some of the issues affecting the youth such as substance abuse, alcoholism, ragging and other evil practices.
Dr. Ramesh Bilimagga
Prof. Ramesh Bilimaga, is a leading Radiation Oncologist with an experience of 40 years in radio oncology. He has completed his M.D. in Radiotherapy from Bangalore Medical College in the year 1982. Further, he has received training in Nuclear Medicine from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Bombay. He was a clinical observer in International Hospitals such as Norfolk Medical School, Virginia, USA; UCLA, California, USA; Long Beach Memorial Hospital, USA; Mount Sanai Hospital, Baltimore, USA. He is a certified Cyber Knife Trained professional by Accuracy, U.S.A. apart from his field of expertise he has served as President of IMA Karnataka and Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences as syndicate member. Currently he is functioning as the Executive Director of HCG Group of hospitals. Dr. Ramesh was one of founding members of Consortium for Tobacco Free Karnataka.
Rtn. Dr. Shobha G
Rtn. Dr. Shobha G is the Director of the Department of Collegiate Education in Bangalore and a gold medalist in M.Sc from Bangalore University. With 28 years of teaching experience at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, she has guided numerous research projects. Her doctoral research focused on “Traditional Vs Progressive Approaches in School Education.” Dr. Shobha has received several prestigious awards, including the Susheela Lingaiah Gold Medal and the Rotary Women Achiever Award 2016, for her community service.
As a columnist for Vijaya Karnataka and Prajavani, she has also appeared on various TV channels discussing topics like parenting, education, and health. Additionally, she has anchored numerous programs and is an active member of several professional bodies, serving as an advisor to various organizations.
FSHI Society Members
Dr. Uma Sheshgiri
Dr Uma Sheshgiri. MBBS, DGO, MD, is a consultant in Obstetrics and gynaecology. She has served the state government in various posts and has retired as superintendent of K R Puram General hospital. She has also held various posts in IMA Bengaluru. She was the president of IMA for 2 years. She is at present the chairperson for IMA AMS. She is the recipient of the following awards: B C Roy Award by Bengaluru branch, State awards; Best President of IMA in 2014, Best Scientific Sessions in 2014, Prestigious B C Roy Award 2016, Her National Awards are: Best Scientific Session Award in 2014, Award for inducting maximum number of members. Best Lady Giants’ group in 2001. She is a life member of BSOG, FOGSI and IMA.
Mr. D Shashi Kumar
Mr. D Shashi Kumar, An Educationist and holding the following prestigious positions: Secretary: New Blossoms Education Society. (Innovative & Unique School), Karnataka Youth Welfare Association. (A Voluntary Organisation), Advisor & Patron: Bliss Society (A Voluntary Parents Organisation), General Secretary: Associated Managements of Private, Primary & Secondary Schools in Karnataka (KAMS), Independent; Advisory Member of NISA (National Independence Schools Alliance). He has a passionate about literature, music, and culture. He is staunch supporter of Indian values and traditions. He is a social activist and has organized Brashtachara Nirmulana Karyagara, Environmental Protection Program, Awareness on Crime, and importance of social responsibility (through “Cast Vote – Gain Mark.” Campaign).
Dr Anupama Deshmukh
Dr. Anupama Deshmukh is a Professor and HOD of Community Medicine at Bhagawan Buddha Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital in Bengaluru, with 25 years of experience as an academician, clinician, and public health professional. She graduated as a topper from HKE’s Homoeopathic Medical College and holds an MD from Maharashtra University and a postgraduate certificate in Health & Family Welfare Management from NIHFW.A life member of the Karnataka Qualified Homoeopathic Doctors’ Association, she has served two terms on the faculty of Homoeopathy at RGUHS and published numerous scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Deshmukh has coordinated various community health programs, focusing on mother and child health, nutrition, and mental health. She is also passionate about music and Kannada literature.
Dr. Sathyanarayana T N
Dr. Sathya has 21 years of experience in public health research, teaching, and program management. His expertise includes health policy analysis, research, and advocacy, with significant contributions to key initiatives like the Karnataka Public Health Policy-2017 and the National Dementia Strategic Plan-2018. He has been instrumental in promoting DNB courses in district hospitals, now a national policy, and in establishing the Indian Institute of Public Health-Bangalore Campus. As a public health photographer and documentary filmmaker, Dr. Sathya is currently focused on technology-driven innovations, particularly the application of artificial intelligence in healthcare to improve health outcomes in resource-poor settings.
Dr. Umashankar
Dr.Umashankar Subramanian is an Entrepreneur, Academician, and an Administrator. Adept at strategically identifying, designing and implementing public health programs, organizational development, team building and project execution. Public health informatics specialist with specialization in global health informatics. Seventeen years of experience in clinical and public health.
Graduated BHMS from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore and master’s in public health from University of South Florida, Tampa, USA. Has co-founded companies and not for profit organizations. Designed and implemented more than 30 public health projects in the field of public health informatics, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, breast and cervical cancer, nutrition, road traffic accidents, solid waste management etc. Has also designed healthcare platform, COVID 19 Screening app and advised many companies for healthcare software.
Dr. Manjunath P Puranik
Dr Manjunath P Puranik, Currently working as Professor & Head, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Government Dental College and Research Institute, Fort, Bangalore, Karnataka, India. He is an accomplished academician with a long track record since 1999. His contributions include, writing of textbooks, peer reviews, publications etc. He has been a member and held important key positions in many professional associations and committees at sub national and national levels. He Served as Member, Committee for Oral Health Policy in Karnataka, PG Board of Studites at RGUHS. He is currently the president of Indian Association of Public Health Dentistry (2022-23). He served as core member for WHO-SEARO-GOI Project on ‘Oral health promotion through integration of oral health into general health. Amidst such high-level academic commitments, he never lost sight of the poor and needy. He Conducted numerous dental health programs in and around Bangalore City for School children, Slum dwellers, Aged and needy.
Dr. Biswamitra Sahu
Dr Biswamitra Sahu holds PhD, Demography, University of Groningen, the Netherlands; MPhil, Population Studies, International Institute of Population Sciences, Mumbai; MA in Sociology, University of Hyderabad. Dr Sahu’s research is primarily cantered in the domain of social determinants of health, specifically, intersectionality of health outcomes on the health status of women and minorities. In her doctoral research, she explored the reproductive behaviour of Muslims and Hindus in India and Bangladesh. She has also developed a short course in qualitative research methods. She has published a book and a few research articles in internationally acclaimed demography and human geography journals. She has been recipient of The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research Grant (NWOWotro: 2006-2009), HERA Fellowship (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in the Netherlands: 2004-2005) and Government of India Fellowship (MOHFW: 2002-2003). Currently she is a faculty with IIPH Bangalore chapter.
Consultants
Dr Anupama Shetty
Mission Director – Biocon Foundation
Dr. (Prof.) Ashok R Patil
Vice Chancellor, NUSRL
Mr. Karthik D
Advisor Media
Dr S U Sahayaraj
Consultant Mental Health
Ms. Sunitha Chander
Consultant Health Promotion
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