S. K. Sama

Surinder Kumar Sama (born 1934) is an Indian gastroenterologist, known for his expertise in endocrinology and diabetology. He is considered by many as the Father of Gastroenterology in India. The discovery of Non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis, an idiopathic chronic liver disease is attributed to him, which he described in a 1962 medical paper, co-authored with Ramalingaswami and Wig. The Government of India awarded him the civilian honour of the Padma Shri in 2004 for his pioneering research on liver diseases including Non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis and Hepatitis B. Sama also received the highest Indian medical honour of Dr. B. C. Roy Award in 2004.

Biography Dr. Sama was born in 1934, did his graduate studies at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences Delhi and started his career by joining his alma mater, in 1958. During this period, he founded the Gastroenterology department there which has now grown to become a centre of excellence. He held various posts at the hospital, including that of the founder member of the Board of Management. While continuing his association with Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, he founded Sama Hospital in 1982 and is its director.

Dr. Sama is considered by many as a pioneer of medical research on liver diseases in India. He is a former president and a life member of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology and has organised six therapeutic endoscopic workshops during his tenure there. He has delivered several award lectures such as Presidential Oration (1986), Dr. B. L. Kapur Memorial Oration (1991), Dr. K. L. Wig Memorial Oration (2002) and Dr. R. S. Tiwary Oration (2005). and the National Academy of Medical Sciences, received Dr. B. C. Roy Award, the highest Indian award in the medical category, from the Medical Council of India in 2004. The Government of India awarded him the civilian honour of the Padma Shri in 2004 and the International Association for Preventive Cardiology honoured him with their Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. He is also a recipient of several other awards such as Punjab Rattan Award, DMA Ratna Award, Bharat Jyoti Award, Bhaskar Award, Human Care Award and Delhi Rattan Award.

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