Diplomat Correspondent
Jammu,DD, In a moment of immense pride for AIIMS Jammu and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, Prof. (Dr.) Shakti Kumar Gupta, Executive Director & CEO, AIIMS Jammu, has been honoured with the prestigious “Healthcare Personality of the Year Award 2025” by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) — one of India’s highest recognitions in the field of healthcare.
The honour was bestowed during the 17th edition of the FICCI Healthcare Excellence Awards 2025, held on October 8, 2025, in New Delhi. Themed “Inspire. Change. Together.”, the event celebrated visionary leaders and institutions driving transformative change and innovation in India’s healthcare ecosystem.
The event was graced by Rajiv Gauba, Member, NITI Aayog and Former Cabinet Secretary, Government of India, as the Chief Guest, who lauded the exemplary contributions of healthcare leaders shaping India’s healthcare future.
Prof. Gupta was selected for this distinction through a rigorous, transparent, and merit-based evaluation process conducted by an eminent jury chaired by C. K. Mishra, Former Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, and co-chaired by Dr. Harsh Mahajan, Chair, FICCI Health Services Committee and Founder & Chairman, Mahajan Imaging & Labs. The award stands as a testimony to Prof. Gupta’s trailblazing leadership, strategic foresight, and unwavering dedication to advancing India’s health systems.
Prof. (Dr.) Shakti Kumar Gupta, Executive Director & CEO of AIIMS Jammu, hails from Ari village (LOC), Poonch, J&K, and is an alumnus of GMC Jammu (MBBS) and AIIMS New Delhi (MHA). Beginning his career as Assistant Surgeon in J&K Health Services, he later joined AIIMS New Delhi as faculty, heading the Department of Hospital Administration, mentoring over 45 postgraduate and PhD scholars, guiding 112 research studies and authoring 110+ publications and 20+ book chapters on hospital management and healthcare systems. He led key WHO and national projects on hospital governance, PPPs and electronic medical records, making his department the first at AIIMS to receive ISO certification.
A Fellow of multiple medical academies and recipient of prestigious national and international honours—including the State Award for Meritorious Public Service (J&K Government), International Partner of the Year Award (Cologne University, Germany), Times Healthcare Achievers Award, Lifetime Achievement Award by Rotary Club Jammu Tawi, and numerous other accolades—he has also chaired several national committees on emergency care, patient safety, and hospital governance. Under his leadership, AIIMS Jammu completed 43 world-class buildings in just 3.5 years and secured the 7th rank in Outlook Magazine’s 2025 Government Medical Universities Ranking, the 2nd highest after AIIMS New Delhi, reflecting his transformative leadership, global recognition and unwavering commitment to excellence in Healthcare, Education and Research.
Owing to official institutional commitments, Prof. Gupta was unable to attend the ceremony in person. He extended heartfelt gratitude to FICCI and the distinguished jury for this national honour and humbly dedicated the recognition to the team of AIIMS Jammu, acknowledging their relentless commitment, teamwork and service to humanity.
Prof. Gupta remarked that this recognition further strengthens AIIMS Jammu’s resolve to emerge as a model of excellence in patient care, research and medical education, contributing meaningfully to India’s vision of “Health for All.”
Instituted in 2009, the FICCI Healthcare Excellence Awards are among the most esteemed accolades in the healthcare sector, recognizing excellence and innovation across a wide range of medical and healthcare domains.
This prestigious National honour for Prof. (Dr.) Shakti Kumar Gupta not only celebrates his outstanding contributions to healthcare leadership and institutional development but also marks a shining milestone for AIIMS Jammu, reaffirming its growing prominence as a Centre of Excellence and innovation in Northern India.DD
