The prestigious baton of serving VHS has been handed over to Dr. E.S Krishnamoorthy, Consultant in Neurology, Neuropsychiatry & Rehabilitation and the Director of the Institute of Neurological Sciences, VHS Medical Centre. The unanimous decision was taken by the Central Committee Meeting (CCM) of VHS held on June 2, 2009. Dr. Krishnamoorthy will serve as the new honorary secretary for three years.

Dr. Krishnamoorthy becomes the third secretary of the 50 year old institution founded by Dr. Sanjivi. A graduate in medicine, he completed his post graduation in psychiatry from the prestigious Kasturba Institutions (Mangalore and Manipal) and has undertaken community based research activities. Sharing the similar vision of his predecessor, Dr. N.S. Murali, Dr. Krishnamoorthy vision is to set up world class systems in VHS, which will help marginalized communities to access health services.

During the seven year stint in VHS, Dr. Krishnamoorthy received the Paul Hamlyn fellowship to train in Neurology, with the Institute of Neurology, London and neuropsychiatry under the aegis of the Royal College of Physicians. He currently holds the T.S. Srinivasan Chair in Clinical Neurosciences at VHS.

His many personal accomplishments include the Mother Theresa Award (2005) from the Department of Social Work, Loyola College Chennai, the HC Bajoria Oration Award (2008) of the Indian Epilepsy Association for social contributions to epilepsy and disability, and the UN Mehta Oration Award (2009). He recently became the youngest Indian Neurologist and first Indian Psychiatrist to be directly elected to the Fellowship of all the three Royal Colleges of Physicians- London (2009), Glasgow and Edinburgh (2007).

With an excellent track record in academics, he has convened 40 international workshops, conferences and courses in neurology, neuropsychiatry & clinical neuroscience in Asia. An accomplished teacher of international standing, he has to his credit over 25 invited lectures at international meetings of learned societies. With 90 publications in journals and periodicals Dr. Krishnamoorthy has taught and mentored students across continents.

We are proud to have him as our leader and invite him to our community of HIV prevention and care professionals.