Inspired by the sight of a doctor in uniform at a young age, Brig Dr. H.S. Bhatoe has led a distinguished life of discipline, service, and surgical excellence. A pioneer neurosurgeon with roots in the Indian Army, his story is one of purpose, perseverance, and passion for the human brain.
Tell us about your journey through Armed Forces Medical College Pune, specialization, Army service, etc.
I think it was sometime in 1968, when I was in Class seven, I went to the Military Hospital, where I saw a lady doctor in Army uniform. Totally mesmerized, I just could not take my eyes off her. The idea of becoming a doctor in uniform had entered my mind and it only grew strong, with expanding horizons. It was in Higher Secondary School at Kendriya Vidyalaya Jalandhar, when the vision became clearer and I prepared for entry into AFMC, Pune.
AFMC was literally melting post, where one’s personality is moulded into becoming not only a doctor, but also transforms one into a young military officer. The faculty is carefully chosen, and many of them became my role models for life.
Before going into specialization, I served with a field medical unit and later in the elite Parachute Brigade of the Army. I was also selected to be the doctor with the President’s Bodyguard at Rashtrapati Bhavan. My surgical skills were put to test during my tenure in Leh as a general surgeon. It was immensely gratifying to take care of surgical problems of soldiers and their families. Subsequently, I was sent to PGIMER Chandigarh to specialize in Neurosurgery. I completed my training in 1991, and thereafter served in various neurosurgical centers of the services. Since 2013, I am working in corporate hospitals and chief of neurosurgery unit.
To read the full article, please log on to the link below:
https://www.magzter.com/IN/SANBROS-MEDIA/Urban-Melange/Fashion/All-Issues