GMC designates 14 HODs, Dr Attri to head Surgery

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, June 17: Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar today designated 14 senior professors as Heads of Departments (HoDs) under its rotational headship policy, with renowned surgeon Prof. (Dr.) M.R. Attri assumed charge as Head of the Department of Surgery till November 30, 2027.

The appointments were made through an order issued by Principal Prof. (Dr.) Iffat Hassan Shah in compliance with the Government's rotational headship policy for medical colleges.

Prof. Attri, an advanced laparoscopic and hernia surgeon with over 35 years of experience in patient care, teaching and research, takes over the Surgery Department at one of J&K's premier medical institutions.

He has authored more than 100 research papers in national and international peer-reviewed journals and has held leadership positions in several national and international surgical organisations.

Known for his work in minimally invasive surgery, Prof. Attri has received recognition from various national surgical bodies and has served as a teacher, mentor and examiner for undergraduate and postgraduate medical students across the country.

Outlining his vision for the department, Prof. Attri said the focus would be on strengthening patient care, education, research and innovation.

"Our focus will be on advancing minimally invasive and robotic surgical services, strengthening subspecialty surgical care, enhancing resident training, promoting impactful clinical research, and integrating emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, into surgical practice and education," he said.

He also stressed the importance of ethical medical practice, multidisciplinary collaboration, faculty development and mentoring future surgical leaders.

Besides Prof. Attri, Prof. (Dr.) Afroz Ahmad Khan was appointed Head of Ophthalmology till May 31, 2028; Prof. (Dr.) Lateef Ahmad Wani as Head of Pathology till June 16, 2028; Prof. (Dr.) Mohd Ismail as Head of Medicine till June 16, 2028; and Prof. (Dr.) Suhail Ahmad Gilkar as Head of Physiology till June 16, 2028.

Prof. (Dr.) Javid Iqbal Naqshbandi was designated Head of Anaesthesiology till April 30, 2028, while Prof. (Dr.) Khurshid Ahmad Dar will head Respiratory Medicine till June 16, 2028. Prof. (Dr.) Imtiyaz Hussain Dar was appointed Head of Orthopaedics till April 30, 2027.

The order further named Prof. (Dr.) Bashir Ahmad Shah as Head of Anatomy till June 16, 2028; Prof. (Dr.) Showkat Ahmad Showkat as Head of ENT till June 16, 2028; Prof. (Dr.) Bashir Ahmad Naikoo as Head of Cardiology till May 31, 2027; Prof. (Dr.) Mushood G. Nabi as Head of Radiation Oncology till June 16, 2028; Prof. (Dr.) Roohi Ashraf as Head of Biochemistry till June 16, 2028; and Prof. (Dr.) Mohd Iqbal Pandit as Head of Community Medicine till June 16, 2028.

According to the order, all appointments took effect from June 17, 2026, with tenures determined in accordance with the rotational headship policy and the incumbents' remaining service periods.