Media Release

Udupi, Oct 15: The department of hospital administration, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), hosted MILAP-2026 – the 4th Global Alumni Convention of Hospital Administration on October 9 and 10. About 30 alumni, from batches spanning three decades, returned to Manipal for the two-day event.

Dr P Naveen Kumar, head of the department, welcomed the alumni. On the first day, they visited the Manipal Hospice and Respite Center, Havanje, where Dr Seema Rao, director, presented the model of hospice care attached to a medical college hospital. The day ended with a felicitation dinner for the alumni.

The second day featured a CEO Conclave and the inauguration of the renovated department by Dr Satyashankar, former assistant medical superintendent and former head of the department. The alumni also met MAHE’s top leadership.

“MILAP reminds us that an institution is measured by the people it shapes,” said Dr H S Ballal, pro chancellor, MAHE. “It gives us great pride to see our alumni leading hospitals across the country. Their experience will continue to enrich the next generation of hospital administrators at Manipal.”

Dr Sharath K Rao, vice chancellor, MAHE, said, “A hospital is not only a place of care but also a place of learning and discovery. Strong education and research lead to better patient care, and our alumni are living proof of what that combination can achieve.”

At the conclave, Dr Alex Kuruvilla, co-founder, SuperHealth, Bengaluru, spoke on managing the hybrid “click and mortar” hospital; Dr Nitish Shetty, managing director, KIMS Hospital, Bengaluru, on the next decade in healthcare; and Dr Rajendra Patankar, CEO, Jupiter Hospitals, Pune, on how digital innovation can help CEOs track hospital finances. The alumni later toured the new Ramdas Pai Specialty Block and Dr TMA Pai Hospital, Udupi.

The department thanked Dr Sudhakar Kantipudi, chief operating officer, teaching hospitals, MAHE, and an alumnus of the department, for spearheading the programme.