CARRYING THE LEGACY FORWARD
Dr. Asmita Jagtap, affectionately known as Tai Saheb, is the Executive Director at Bharati Vidyapeeth Health Sciences (Deemed to be University) in Pune, Maharashtra, India. Over the years, she has carved a remarkable path as a leader, administrator, and visionary. The empathetic leader considers healthcare a fundamental human right and works tirelessly to make healthcare more affordable and accessible in India. Her passion lies in empowering patients and citizens to embrace healthier and happier lifestyles.
“DR. ASMITA IS COMMITTED TO PROMOTING AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. SHE ASSESSES THE COMMUNITY’S NEEDS AND ACTIVELY CONDUCTS PUBLIC HEALTH INITIATIVES”
Dr.Asmita, the daughter of the Dr.Patangrao Kadam – the founder of Bharati Vidyapeeth Health Sciences as well as a renowned philanthropist and senior Congress Leader, is carrying forward the shining legacy of her father by catapulting the institutions under Bharati Vidyapeeth Health Sciences to new heights. She heads the organisation, which operates a network of seven hospitals delivering accessible medical services, such as dental care, allopathy, Ayurveda, and homoeopathy. The ambitious leader is clear about her vision. She aims to create a healthier nation by ensuring affordable and accessible healthcare for all so that patients and citizens across India can lead healthier and happier lives. Under her stewardship, the hospitals under Bharati Vidyapeeth Health Sciences offer world-class treatment to their patients. Dr.Asmita demonstrates exceptional leadership as the institution’s Chief. She oversees the organisation’s budgeting, financial forecasting, and revenue generation to ensure its financial sustainability. She also guides, supports, and mentors department heads to inspire a culture of growth and positivity. Additionally, she encourages transparent communication to address concerns promptly. The values-driven leader is equally dedicated to upholding quality standards. She spearheads quality assurance programs to drive continuous improvement and ensure adherence to all healthcare regulations.
ACADEMIC BRILLIANCE
Dr.Asmita has an impressive academic portfolio. The well-versed leader holds an M.B.B.S. Degree, a Diploma in Labour Laws (D.L.L.), a PG Diploma in Medico-Legal Science, an M.D. in Psychiatry, and a Ph.D. in Hospital Administration. She further honed her skills through executive programs in management at Cornell University, New York, and healthcare leadership at Stanford University, California. Despite being tech-savvy, Dr.Asmita preaches that technology is only a tool, not a substitute for healthy development. Her message is to consciously embrace the possibilities of technology. The leader spearheaded a team of doctors and researchers at Bharati Vidyapeeth’s School of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (SASLP) to create a groundbreaking tool developed after a thorough review of existing research from prominent organisations like the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP), and the World Health Organization (WHO). This Indigenous invention, recently copyrighted by the Indian government, empowers parents with the information they need to confidently monitor and regulate their children’s screen time for healthier growth and development. However, the new-age leader doesn’t suggest a complete digital detox. Instead, she acknowledges the power of technology in igniting curiosity and developing creativity. “A complete withdrawal is impractical,” she says with a smile. “The key lies in achieving a balanced approach.”
DONNING MULTIPLE HATS
Dr. Asmita also serves as the Head and Trustee of the Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical Foundation. As a Trustee of the foundation, she supervises the foundation’s hospital operations and implements quality assurance measures to uphold the Medical University’s academic excellence. Dr. Asmita’s innovative strategies and passion for learning have also positioned her as a pioneer in the education industry. She holds the position of Patron Member at Bharati Vidyapeeth, where she provides invaluable guidance to over 75 educational institutions within the organisation. With her mission to democratise access to quality education in India, she directs Bharati Vidyapeeth to conduct over 156 educational units of various kinds, right from pre-primary schools to postgraduate institutions.
HER INSPIRATION
Dr.Asmita draws inspiration from her great visionary father, the Dr.Patangrao Kadam. Despite humble beginnings in a remote village, Dr.Kadam rose to prominence through his pioneering work in the healthcare and education fields. He established Bharati Vidyapeeth in 1964 at the young age of 19. His unwavering commitment to creating accessible and quality education transformed many lives this modest initiative into one of India’s largest networks of educational institutions. Today, Bharati Vidyapeeth is not only a vast conglomerate of schools and colleges but also a deemed University, recognised for its excellence in various disciplines.
LEADING BY HEART
Dr.Asmita spearheads regular social welfare programs to inspire her team and build a culture of giving back. This dedication has created a proactive medical team at Bharati Vidyapeeth that is not just skilled but deeply connected to the community they serve. The benevolent leader is committed to promoting affordable healthcare at the grassroots level. To that end, she assesses the community’s needs and actively conducts public health initiatives, such as free health check-ups, blood donation drives, and cancer screening camps throughout the year. She has also launched a massive campaign to train 3000 ASHA workers to enhance their community service capabilities. She explains, “These specialised training programs are crucial for improving healthcare quality in underserved regions.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr.Asmita established training camps for healthcare professionals and COVID-19 centers in Maharashtra’s Turchi and Sangli districts. She also spearheaded the establishment of an Oxygen Generating Plant during the turbulent times of the pandemic. This ensured a reliable supply of life-saving oxygen not only for Bharati Hospital but also for other medical facilities in Pune. This initiative played a substantial role in ensuring a steady supply of oxygen for critical patients during the peak of the pandemic in 2021. Also, Bharati Hospital was the first place in India where the Serum Institute of India’s Covishield vaccine trials were conducted, showcasing her leadership in medical research. Her emphasis on holistic well-being inspired her to establish a Milk Bank to improve health outcomes for premature babies and babies with health problems in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) who may not have access to their mother’s milk. Aside from this, Dr.Asmita launched the Interactive Research School for Health Affairs (IRSHA), which has conducted more than 75 clinical trials and engages in cutting-edge medical research.
Following in her father’s footsteps, Dr.Asmita Jagtap is furthering the mission of Bharati Vidyapeeth. The young leader enthusiastically carries forward her father’s legacy to drive innovation in healthcare delivery.
