Unveiling The Shortlists For BW HealthcareWorld Person Of The Year Award 2024

As the Indian healthcare industry continues to advance, it is not only driving economic growth but also transforming lives across the nation. In recognition of the remarkable leadership that is shaping this vital sector, BW HealthcareWorld is proud to announce the shortlisted candidates for the prestigious BW HealthcareWorld Person of the Year award. This award celebrates those who have made significant contributions to India's healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, leading the way with innovation, and a commitment to improving the well-being of millions. Here are the candidates selected for evaluation:

Adar Poonawalla

Adar Poonawalla, Chairman of Poonawalla Fincorp and CEO of Serum Institute of India, is a dedicated innovator in the pharmaceutical industry. He focuses on developing and distributing affordable vaccines globally, significantly impacting global health.

Ameera Shah

Ameera Shah is the Executive Chairperson and Whole-time Director of Metropolis Healthcare Limited. She has transformed the company from a doctor-led practice into a leading player in India's diagnostic sector. Under her leadership, Metropolis went public in 2019 and secured three rounds of investment from top private equity firms, consistently delivering strong performance and returns.

Abhay Soi

Abhay Soi, Chairman and Managing Director of Max Healthcare Institute, has transitioned from a finance professional to a key figure in healthcare. After starting his career at Arthur Andersen and working with EY and KPMG, Soi ventured into entrepreneurship in 2010 by revitalizing a struggling 650-bed hospital in Delhi and establishing Radiant Life Care. Under his leadership, Max Healthcare has become India's second-largest listed hospital chain by revenue.

Dr Amit Varma

Dr Amit Varma is the Co-founder and Managing Partner of Quadria Capital and has over 20 years of experience in investment, operations, and clinical practice within the healthcare sector. A renowned physician and healthcare management leader, he has played a pivotal role in leading the international expansion initiatives of Fortis and its affiliated companies.

Dilip Shanghvi

Dilip Shanghvi, founder of Sun Pharmaceuticals, received the Padma Shri in 2016. In January 2018, Shanghvi was appointed by the Indian Government to the Reserve Bank of India's 21-member central board committee. In 2024, he is ranked as the 6th richest individual of the year by Forbes.

Glenn Mario Saldanha

Since joining Glenmark in 1998 and becoming Managing Director & CEO in 2000, Glenn Mario Saldanha has transformed the company into a global player. Under his leadership, Glenmark has evolved from an Indian branded generics business to a research-driven, innovation-led organisation.

GSK Velu

GSK Velu, Chairman and Managing Director of Trivitron Group of Companies and Chairman of Neuberg Diagnostics, has been re-appointed Chairman of the FICCI Tamil Nadu State Council for 2022. He also serves as a mentor, director, and shareholder of Kauvery Group of Hospitals and is the Honorary Consul to the Republic of Estonia in India.

Dr Krishna Prasad Chigurupati

Dr Krishna Prasad Chigurupati, Chairman and Managing Director of Granules India Limited, has led the company to become a major player in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Starting in 1984 with Paracetamol production, he has driven innovations such as commercialising Pharmaceutical Formulation Intermediates, making cost-effective solutions for global manufacturers.

K Nityananda Reddy

K Nityananda Reddy, Vice Chairman & Managing Director of Aurobindo Pharma, has been with the company since its inception. As a key promoter, he brings expertise in manufacturing technology and oversees the company’s overall operations.

Dr Krishna Ella

Dr Krishna Ella is the Executive Chairman of Bharat Biotech International Limited, which he founded in 1996.  A research scientist in Molecular Biology, Dr Ella is a strong advocate for using innovative technology in vaccine development to address public healthcare challenges posed by infectious diseases.

Dr Preetha Reddy

Dr Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals, is well known for her pivotal role in making high-quality healthcare accessible to millions. A member of the founding family, she is recognised for her dedicated support to various entities and industry bodies focused on improving healthcare in India.

Mahesh Pratapneni

Mahesh Pratapneni, co-founder of MedGenome in 2013, envisioned making personalised healthcare more affordable and accessible in India. Under his leadership, MedGenome has become a market leader in genomic diagnostics, research, and data across South Asia.

Dr Mahipal S Sachdev

Mahipal S Sachdev, an Indian ophthalmologist, is the Chairman of Centre for Sight, a prominent chain of eye hospitals in India. Renowned as a pioneer of the phacoemulsification procedure in India, he has significantly advanced cataract surgery techniques in the country.

Meenakshi Nevatia

Meenakshi Nevatia, Managing Director of Pfizer, holds 30 years of leadership experience from McKinsey, Novartis, and Stryker. Her extensive background spans roles in sales, marketing, and general management across global markets.

Prashant Tandon

Prashant Tandon is the Co-Founder and CEO of 1MG Technologies, having previously founded HealthKart. He also held roles as Senior Associate and Summer Associate at McKinsey & Company. Tandon holds a B-Tech in Chemical Engineering from IIT-Delhi and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Raj Gore

Raj Gore, CEO of HealthCare Global Enterprises Ltd, co-led a FICCI roundtable discussion in Jaipur on creating a roadmap to make cancer care more affordable and accessible in India. Key strategies involve raising awareness, improving early detection, and strengthening healthcare infrastructure to address this critical issue.

Rajeev Juneja

Rajeev Juneja, CEO of Mankind, is a highly ambitious entrepreneur with over 10 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. His vision is to elevate Mankind to be among the top three companies in India, with a robust market presence in both the OTC (Over-the-Counter) and FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) segments. His deep marketing insights and leadership have been key to Mankind's success.

Satish Kannan

Satish Kannan, Co-Founder & CEO of MediBuddy, is a trailblazer in the online healthcare sector. His vision to transform healthcare has quickly propelled his organisation to a leadership role. Kannan is committed to making high-quality healthcare accessible to everyone across the nation.

Umang Vohra

Since joining Cipla in 2015 and becoming MD & GCEO in 2016, Umang Vohra has driven the company's strategic growth and global expansion. With a career spanning nearly two decades, he emphasises agile business models, disruptive technologies, and data-driven strategies to enhance patient outcomes and strengthen Cipla's market presence.

Vinita Gupta

Vinita Gupta joined Lupin pharmaceuticals in 1997. She has played a key role in transforming the company into a global pharmaceutical leader through organic growth and strategic acquisitions. She serves on the Global Advisory Board at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and has received numerous global awards for her contributions to the industry.