Srinagar, Dec 31 (KNO): Noted scientist, pulmonologist and internist Dr Parvaiz Ahmad Koul Ex-professor and Head of department General medicine has been appointed as the new director of Sher- e- Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS).
Dr Koul is considered to be the one among the few doctors in India with the highest number of publications in prestigious national and international medical journals.
"As approved by the Chairman, Governing Body, SKIMS, Soura, Srinagar (Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor, J&K), Dr. Parvaiz Ahmad Koul, Ex-Professor and Head of Department, General Medicine, SKIMS, is hereby appointed as Director, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, Srinagar with effect from 01.01.2022, "reads the order issued by Manoj Kumar Dwivedi Commissioner/secretary to the government, a copy of which lies with news agency—Kashmir News Observer KNO.
He was chosen among the 15 candidates who were shortlisted among 36 candidates who had applied for the post of director SKIMS.
The search committee to select the SKIMS Director from amongst 15 applicants included some of the most senior and respected doctors including AIIMS, New Delhi, Director, Dr Randeep Guleria, former AIIMS Director, Dr M.C. Misra, and PGI, Chandigarh, Director, Dr Surjit Singh.
The candidates shortlisted by the Committee were Dr Yogesh Sarin, Director Professor and Head Department of Pediatric Surgery at Lady Hardinge Medical College; Dr Nisar Ahmed Bhat; Dr Altaf Umar Ramzan, Professor and Head Department of Neurosurgery SKIMS Soura; Dr Umar Javed Shah Dean Medical Faculty and HoD Gastroenterology/Surgical Oncology at SKIMS Soura; Dr Showkat Ali Mufti Professor and HoD Emergency Medicine at SKIMs Soura; Dr Parvaiz A Koul ex-HoD Internal and Pulmonary Medicine at SKIMS Soura; Dr Ghulam Nabi Lone Prof and HoD CVTS at SKIMS Soura; Dr Bashir A Laway, Professor and HoD Department of Endocrinology at SKIMS Soura; Dr Showkat Ahmed Secretary Technical H&ME J&K Government; Dr Naseer Ahmed Mir Prof and HoD Orthopedics SKIMS Soura; Dr Reyaz Ahmed Untoo; Dr Adil Hafeez Professor and HoD Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery SKIMS Soura; Dr Muhammad Saleem Wani Professor and Head Department of Urology and Kidney Transplant Unit SKIMS Soura; Dr Abdul Wahid Khan Professor Department of Psychiatry GMC Anantnag; Dr Tariq Ahmed Gojwari Professor and HoD Radio-diagnosis SKIMS Soura.
Notably, outgoing Director Dr A G Ahanger was supposed to retire in June 2021, however, he got an extension of six months in his service. However, while getting extension he was directed not to look after the issues related to procurement and appointments in the Institute.
Later, additional Director SKIMS was given authority to look into the procurement and recruitment matters after four top committees were reconstituted by the government.
Earlier in July 2016, after the term of Dr Showkat Zargar ended, Dr Ahanger took over as Director SKIMS, however, he was removed in 2018 and Dr Omar Javaid was given the charge of Director SKIMS.
However, in September 2019 on the directions of court order, Dr Ahanger again joined as Director SKIMS—(KNO)