At the SGPGIMS convocation, Dr. Nageshwar Reddy, the creator of AIG, discusses honors, research, and creating sustainable healthcare that goes beyond patient care.

Dr. Dageshwar Reddy, a renowned gastroenterologist, has added Padma Vibhushan to his extensive list of honors, which already includes Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. Speaking candidly to this reporter on the sidelines of the SGPGIMS convocation ceremony, where he was invited as the chief guest, the chairman and founder of the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology (AIG) in Hyderabad discusses the importance of research and entrepreneurship in medicine as well as the honors he has received.

It's really humble. He became the first gastroenterologist to be honored with the Padma Bhushan in 2016. The Padma Vibhushan recognizes not just individuals but also organizations and the whole profession of gastroenterology. They wrote India's first COVID-19 procedure book and published more than 100 research articles during the COVID-19 epidemic, which had a noticeable social impact. He often reminds aspiring medical professionals that although patient care is important, research is what advances medicine.

According to Dr. D. Nageshwar Reddy, entrepreneurship is essential to the healthcare industry. Physicians can develop more meaningful and sustainable healthcare models if they know how to handle money and operate effective systems. Scaling solutions that improve communities is more important than merely managing hospitals.

Awards make people happy, especially families. They are a proud moment. However, meaningful labor that has an impact is the real reward. Impact is enduring; awards are transient. Although he hopes individuals receiving recognition tonight feel inspired, true fulfillment can only be attained when they make a constant and significant contribution to society.