Meets new National President, IMA: A perfect example of a modern times ‘Polymath

Dr Ravi Wankhedkar recently took over the charge of new National President, New Delhi. After taking up charge he said, “In next six weeks doctors across the country should be united. We plan to sensitise all Member of Parliaments and citizen of India on why NMC Bill needs to be opposed. The IMA also plans to go on country wide strike if the government does not agree to its demand.”
Dr Ravi Wankhedkar, MMBS, MS (Surgery) from 1980 batch of BJ Medical College, Pune, University of Poona is practicing surgeon and coloproctologist at Sitaram Hospital in Dhule. He is also Associate Prof of Surgery, SBH Govt Medical College, Duhule, and Chairman, Rural Health Committee.
Born on 21st, September, 1963 to Smt. Bhagirathibai Wankhedkar ( A school teacher and headmistress) and Late Shri Sitaram Wankhedkar (A freedom fighter), Dr. Ravi Wankhedkar is a perfect example of a modern times ‘Polymath ‘- a terminology coined to address persons, whose expertise or knowledge spans varied subjects. He completed his schooling from Canossa Convent, Dhule. Later on, he completed MBBS and MS (General Surgery) from the renowned BJ Medical College, Pune.
Before getting admission to BJ Medical College itself, Ravi had decided that his area of work will be his home town Dhule, as he had seen the poverty and related health problems. So, after becoming a General Surgeon, he joined the Shri Bhausaheb Hire Govt Medical College. As a lecturer in surgery, he was extremely popular amongst medical students and staff of Shri Bhausaheb Hire Medical College, Dhule, so much so that he was bestowed ‘Teacher of the Decade Award’ in 1999. Till date he continues his passion for teaching as Hon Professor in Surgery at the Govt Medical College.
Since 2003 onwards, he started taking pro active initiatives in the working of IMA Dhule. IMA Dhule Hall got renovated because of his extraordinary efforts. In 2010, the EVECON-State IMA Women conference was conceived and organized successfully under his leadership. And since then, many state level and national level programs like WEZ AMSCON HOSPEX, Unmesh, Yomedicon (Young Medico’s convention), WIMALS- Women IMA Leaders Summit, SHABDANGAN- a Medicos’ Literary Festival were organized under his leadership. As a result of his relentless efforts towards making IMA stronger, Ravi was chosen unopposed as the Presidential Candidate for IMA for the year 2017-18.
Apart from his Professional and Organizational activities, he finds solace in Nature. He has transformed a piece of barren land into a lush green, colourful farm ‘Ravi Shrushti’, which has become a destination for informal meetings and gatherings. Shared his experiences on different platform he is involved in many social activities apart from medical practise. He runs ‘Sitaram Hospital’ very successfully at Dhule, upgrading it with modern equipments and technology as required, the latest being “DYBSS “- a centre for laser anorectal.
Dr Ravi Wankhedkar witnessed the NATCON 2017 Conference in Mumbai recently where he saw the participation of 1,100 delegates from all over the world. The major issued discussed in the conference were Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, violence against the doctors, capping of compensation and generic drugs. One of the key points discussed at the two day conclave has been about the action plan for the coming days where the IMA will be agitating and negotiating for National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill.