Department of Gastroenterology conducted the 4th PGI GI emergency Alumni Conclave
The Department of Gastroenterology conducted the 4th PGI GI emergency Alumni Conclave on 31st October and 1st November 2020.
The program was focused on management of common Gastro intestinal emergencies which contributes to a significant burden of the emergency services in the country. The organizing chairman was Prof. Rakesh Kochhar, Head department of Gastroenterology and organizing Secretary Prof. Usha Dutta from the Department of Gastroenterology.
The conference conducted by 85 eminent national faculties and attended by over 1200 delegates. The program was focused on common GI emergencies such as GI bleed, acute pancreatitis, acute biliary Infection, Acute severe Ulcerative Colitis, endoscopy related complications and acute as well as chronic liver failure.
The expert also discussed about management of sick patient in the ICU. The national level quiz was also conducted for the Postgraduate students. A virtual endoscopy training program was held by our departmental faculty for the postgraduates to teach them the trips and tricks of common endoscopy procedures. The 4th PGI GI Emergency Postgraduate Program is designed specifically for postgraduates and is an endeavour to bridge the knowledge and skill gap between the senior gastroenterology
faculty of our country and young budding gastroenterologists.
Earlier also a mobile app was designed for postgraduates to guide them in assessment and treatment of GI emergencies. The second edition of the
app was released last year. It is an evidence-based app and is available
free of cost on the PGI website for Google and IOS platforms. The app has
been downloaded by over 5,000 doctors and the feedback has been
extremely gratifying.
Prof. Rakesh Kochhar who is present head Department of
Gastroenterology superannuated on 31st October 2020. Prof. Kochhar
had an illustrious career during his 42 year tenure in PGI. Prof. Kochhar
joined PGI on 01.01.1979 as a MD student and subsequently joined PGI
as faculty in 1982 year. He has several creditable academic research and
administrative contributions to the department, Institute, nation and
global level. He has mentored over 300 students and has been a very
popular mentor. He is presently Sub Dean Research, Chairman of the
Group B departments and Chairman of the prestigious Wednesday CPC’s
at PGI. He has been secretary and now is the President of the Indian
Society of Gastroenterology. He is also the founder President of Crohn’s
and Colitis Foundation, India; and has been Secretary and President of
Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy of India.
He has won several awards and laurels throughout his career.
– He was awarded Fellowship of American College of Gastroenterology;
Fellowship of Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh, Membership of the
National Academy of Medical Sciences.
– He has delivered various prestigious orations; been on several
editorial boards and technical committees
– He had 450 publications with over 12500 citations, an H index of 49
with work quoted in several gastroenterology textbooks. His seminal work
has been in corrosive the areas of injury, endoscopy, celiac disease, and
pancreatitis has been path breaking.
– A virtual PGI alumni meeting was held to bid farewell to Prof. Rakesh
Kocchar. Subsequent to his retirement, Prof. Usha Dutta will take over as
head Department of Gastroenterology.
