Dr Bhandari made these comments in an interview with the India Blooms News Service on being conferred the degree of DSc (Honoris Causa) by KGMU last month in recognition of his exemplary contribution to the development of two premier medical institutions in India and his outstanding work in the fields of Urology, Kidney Transplant and Robotic Surgery.

Dr Bhandari served as the Director of Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, and as the first Vice Chancellor of King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, between 1997 and 2006.

Contributed to UP’s first Kidney Transplant Program

"This singular honour is a humbling experience, evoking memories of my tenure as the Head of this prestigious institution. Looking back, my 18-year tenure at two iconic medical institutions in India has influenced my 'Leading from Within' leadership style.

"This award, coming 18 years after I bid farewell to Lucknow to embark on a journey to reinvent myself in Michigan, is a reminder that I continue to be vividly present in the memories of colleagues from different generations. The institution itself serves as a testament to the unique and indelible Ganga-Jamuni culture of the State, a stark contrast to the transactional relationships prevalent worldwide," says Dr Mahendra Bhandari, Director, Robotic Surgery Research and Education, Vattikuti Urology Institute, Henry Ford Health System, Michigan.

Recalling his tenure at KGMU as the first Vice Chancellor, Dr Bhandari reminisced, “Soon after my appointment in 2003, I realized that KGMU was a formidable combination of exceptional teachers and learners; all they needed was the freedom to chase dreams. The then State government helped offer all the environmental and infrastructural support.

"This accolade brings back memories of my groundbreaking contributions to Uttar Pradesh, where I initiated the State’s first Kidney Transplant Program, marking the beginning of cadaveric transplantation. It is gratifying to witness SGPGI’s enduring status as the foremost transplant program in India," added Dr Bhandari.

Prof Soniya Nityanand serves as the current Vice Chancellor of KGMU, the largest resident medical university in India, with research and training facilities serving over 5,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students and attending to over 5,000 patients in OPD.

“This distinction serves as a catalyst, motivating me to continue exploring novel frontiers in Artificial Intelligence within healthcare. It also inspires me to kindle a fresh wave of enthusiasm among young medical practitioners, enabling them to embrace cutting-edge technologies such as robotics, thereby ensuring enhanced patient outcomes through unwavering dedication,” adds Dr Bhandari.

He was invited to establish MedVarsity, India's pioneering virtual medical university at Apollo Hospitals, in collaboration with NIIT.

Vattikuti Foundation has helped establish a vibrant and cost-effective robotic surgery program with nearly 200 installations performing 20,000 multispecialty robotic procedures annually. The Foundation has invested in training over 500 robotic surgeons with the help of over 100 global experts in robotic surgery.

Dr Mahendra Bhandari's name features in an exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American History in Washington. The "Many Voices, One Nation" exhibit chronicles the 500-year history of immigrants' invaluable contributions to the United States.

The Foundation continues to offer year-long paid Vattikuti Fellowships to high-achieving young surgeons, pairing them with top robotic surgeons for intensive robotic surgery training and research.