On an inspiring evening at Grant Government Medical College (GGMC), M.I.C.E. Labs (Medical Innovation Creativity and Entrepreneurship) hosted GMC Quest 2025: Milestones Beyond Medicine — a celebration of the doctors, innovators, educators, and leaders whose contributions extend far beyond hospital walls.
Centered around the theme of legacy, leadership, and innovation, the event highlighted how the true strength of JJ Hospital lies not only in its rich history but in the extraordinary individuals who continue to shape medicine every single day.
With students, faculty, and aspiring healthcare professionals gathered together, the event became more than a speaker session — it became a journey through decades of dedication, breakthroughs, mentorship, and transformative healthcare impact.
The event opened with an introduction to the vision behind GMC Quest — creating a platform where students can learn directly from the pioneers of medicine who have shaped clinical practice, education, research, and innovation at JJ Hospital.
The message resonated throughout the evening: Great institutions are remembered not only for their buildings or history, but for the people whose work changes lives.
From groundbreaking surgical techniques to public healthcare leadership, the session showcased the many ways doctors contribute to society beyond traditional clinical practice.
Meet the Visionaries
Dr. Ashok Anand- Transforming Maternal Care Through Innovation
Professor and HOD of OBGYN, Dr. Ashok Anand has spent over 30 years teaching and advancing obstetric care. Widely recognized for developing the Ashok Anand stitch, a life-saving obstetric technique used across India, his work has significantly improved maternal healthcare outcomes.
With 300+ presentations and over 100 publications, his journey demonstrated how clinical observation and innovation can directly save lives.
Key Insight: Innovation in medicine often begins with identifying real patient problems and creating practical solutions that improve care at scale.
Dr. Vernon Velho- Neurosurgery, Research and Indigenous Innovation
A visionary neurosurgeon and Professor & HOD of Neurosurgery, Dr. Vernon Velho shared his experience in developing indigenous surgical tools and spinal implants.
With 161 publications and leadership in more than 60 cadaveric training programs, his contributions have impacted both global research and surgical education.
His session emphasized the importance of research-driven medicine and continuous innovation in improving public healthcare systems.
Key Insight: Medical progress is driven by curiosity, scientific thinking, and the courage to innovate locally for global impact.
Dr. Priya Patil – Compassionate Leadership in Public Healthcare
Professor and HOU of General Medicine, Dr. Priya Patil brought a perspective rooted in empathy, resilience, and service.
As Deputy Director at the Centre of Excellence in HIV at JJ Hospital, she has contributed extensively to patient care, medical education, and public health initiatives. Her work during the COVID-19 pandemic earned recognition from the Governor for dedicated service as a Nodal Officer.
Beyond medicine, she highlighted the importance of spirituality, balance, and compassion in sustaining a meaningful medical career.
Key Insight: The strongest doctors are not only clinically skilled but also deeply compassionate and emotionally resilient.
Dr. Girish Bakhshi – Surgical Innovation for Better Patient Care
Professor and HOD of General Surgery, Dr. Girish Bakhshi shared insights from over 27 years of teaching and surgical practice.
He discussed StomaNova, his patented device designed to create a stable, leak-resistant stoma-skin interface, improving comfort and predictability for patients requiring long-term stoma care.
His talk reflected how innovation in surgery is not just about technology — it is about improving patient dignity, affordability, and quality of life.
Key Insight: True innovation in healthcare focuses on solving everyday clinical challenges that directly improve patient outcomes.
Dr. Hemant Deshmukh – Innovation in Radiology & Public Healthcare
An Endovascular and Interventional Radiologist with over 30 years of experience, Dr. Hemant Deshmukh has made significant contributions to both clinical medicine and healthcare innovation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he played a crucial role in patient care, vaccination initiatives, and the implementation of AI-enabled X-ray screening in Dharavi, demonstrating how technology can strengthen large-scale public healthcare systems.
Beyond clinical practice, he is also recognized as a medical innovator, having co-invented a blood flow resisting device that earned both U.S. (2021) and European (2024) patents. His journey highlighted the growing intersection between medicine, engineering, and innovation.
Key Insight: Modern healthcare advances when clinical expertise is combined with technology, research, and innovative problem-solving to address real-world challenges.
The panel discussion explored:
– Innovation in clinical medicine
– Research and academic leadership
– Indigenous medical technology
– Public healthcare challenges
– Mentorship and teaching
– Building impactful careers in medicine
– The human side of healthcare leadership
The speakers shared candid stories of failures, perseverance, breakthroughs, and personal growth — giving students a rare glimpse into the realities behind successful medical careers. More importantly, the discussions reminded students that medicine is not confined to textbooks, examinations, or hospital wards. It is a lifelong journey of learning, service, creativity, and impact.
As the event concluded, one message stood out clearly:
The legacy of JJ continues through the people who dedicate their lives to improving healthcare, mentoring future doctors, and pushing the boundaries of innovation.
From maternal care to neurosurgical innovation, from public healthcare leadership to patient-centered surgical solutions, GMC Quest 2025 celebrated the many dimensions of medicine beyond clinical practice alone.
GMC Quest: Milestones Beyond Medicine was more than a speaker event. It was a celebration of leadership.
A reflection on purpose. And an inspiration for every student searching for meaning within medicine.
The evening reminded everyone that true success in healthcare is measured not only by titles or achievements — but by the lives changed, the ideas created, and the future inspired.
The Quest may have ended — but the inspiration to innovate, serve, and lead has only just begun.
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