Shimla. The State Association of Medical and Dental College Teachers (SAMDCOT) has elected its new Executive Council, with senior faculty members from across the state voting in a smooth and transparent election held here today.
The polling saw enthusiastic participation from medical and dental colleges, and officials described the atmosphere as “congenial and orderly.”
Dr. Balbir Verma, Professor and Head of Medicine, was unanimously elected President, securing the mandate for a third consecutive term. Along with him, Dr. Punit Mahajan, Professor and Head of Surgery, was elected Vice President, while Dr. Piyush Kapila, Professor of Forensic Medicine, took charge as General Secretary. Dr. Yogesh Diwan, Associate Professor of Anatomy, was chosen Treasurer, and Dr. Manish Gupta, Professor and Head of Cancer Hospital, Shimla, was elected Social Secretary.
The only contest of the day was for the post of Joint Secretary. In a close fight between ENT Professor Dr. Jagdeep Thakur and Obstetrics & Gynaecology Assistant Professor Dr. Sandeep Rathore, Dr. Thakur emerged victorious. Dr. Rathore later congratulated him, setting a cordial tone for the new term.
The newly elected Executive Members include:
• Dr. Usha (Assistant Professor, Anaesthesia)
• Dr. Nishi Sood (Associate Professor, Obstetrics & Gynaecology)
• Dr. Digvijay Thakur (Assistant Professor, Neurosurgery)
• Dr. Divya Vashishth (Assistant Professor, Dental College)
• Dr. Ashish Chauhan (Assistant Professor, Gastroenterology)
• Dr. Mukesh Surya (Associate Professor, Radiology)
Returning Officer Dr. Dara Singh Negi, Professor of Anaesthesia, thanked Dr. Suresh Thakur (Radiology) and Dr. Dinesh Sharma (Psychiatry) for ensuring a fair and transparent process. He also congratulated the new team on securing a third straight mandate.
After the results were declared, President Dr. Balbir Verma thanked members for their continued trust. He assured that the new Executive Council would work diligently and reiterated that time-bound promotions and NPA for newly appointed faculty would remain top priorities for the association.
