Media Release
Mangaluru, Jun 29: Dr Santosh T Soans, eminent paediatrician of the city, has been selected for the prestigious ‘IMA Doctors Day Award 2019’ instituted by the Indian Medical Association (IMA). The national level award will be conferred upon Dr Soans on Doctors Day (July 1) at a Special Ceremony hosted at IMA House, New Delhi. “IMA honours its leaders and members who have contributed to the medical field in a big way on the occasion of Doctors Day. We are pleased to inform you that it has been decided to honour you this year,” says the letter signed by IMA national president Dr Santanu Sen and honorary secretary general Dr R V Asokan.
National Doctors Day commemorates Dr B C Roy, a legendary physician, freedom fighter, statesman and recipient of Bharatha Ratna.
In a surprising coincidence, the Karnataka State Branch of IMA too has chosen to confer its ‘IMA-KSB Doctors’ Day Award’ on Dr Santosh T Soans for ‘Distinguished services rendered to Indian Medical Association, Profession and Public;, according to the announcement signed by Dr Annandi M Meti, president and Dr S Srinivasa, honorary secretary. This award too will be conferred on Doctors Day (July 1) during a function to be held in Bengaluru. This is a rare occasion when the same person has been chosen for the same honour by the same organization at the national and state level.
Dr Santosh Soans is the immediate Past President of Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP). He has been active in IAP for over three decades and has served as the National Vice President (2010), National Chairman, Intensive Care Chapter (2013) and Karnataka State President (2015). Last year he was conferred with the ‘Outstanding Asian Paediatrician Award 2018’ by the Asia Pacific Pediatric Association.
A pioneer in Paediatric Intensive Care in this region, Dr Santosh Soans is an experienced academician and practicing paediatrician. He is a much sought after speaker for national and international medical conferences. He has authored two books, contributed chapters to several medical text books and published articles in various medical journals.
A native of Kundapur, Dr Santosh Soans is an alumnus of Kasturba Medical College, Mangaluru and Manipal. He is presently serving at AJ Institute of Medical Sciences, Mangaluru as Professor and Head of the department of Paediatrics as well as the Chief of NICU / PICU. He has earlier served as faculty at Father Muller Medical College too.
Responding to the award, Dr Santosh Soans said, “Indian Medical Association is a national organization of doctors. It represents medicine science as a whole and not any particular specialization. Recognition from one’s peers from outside one’s specialization means a lot. I am delighted that I have been chosen by IMA for this honour and I further dedicate myself to the profession. I am grateful to all those who have encouraged and supported me in all my endeavours.”