Dr. Balram Airan

A Surgeon with a Mission: Dr.BalramAiran’sCommitment to Innovation, Equity, and Public Health

DrBalramAiran is a name that resonates with excellence, innovation, and leadership in the field of cardiothoracic and vascular surgery in India. With a career spanning over four decades, he has not only performed pioneering surgical procedures but has also played a pivotal role in shaping medical education, research, and public health policy. As a Visiting Consultant at the National Heart Institute in New Delhi, DrAiran continues to inspire both patients and professionals with his vast knowledge, compassionate care, and unrelenting pursuit of excellence.

Throughout his illustrious journey, Dr Airan has been honoured with numerous awards, invited to deliver prestigious orations, and entrusted with significant responsibilities that reflect his stature as a leader in cardiovascular medicine. His contributions have not only advanced clinical practice but also elevated the standards of healthcare and education across institutions.He is credited with maximum number of heart transplants in a public hospital in India (more than 50, including children).

Below is a detailed look at some notable Awards, honours &significant events that mark Dr Balram  Airan’s extraordinary professional life:

• Delivered the Dr Madhuri Nigam Memorial Oration on 7th March 2015 at G.B. Pant Hospital, New Delhi
• Presented a lecture during Techno College 2015 , organized by the Indian Association of Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery, held in Jaipur from 28th to 29th March 2015
• Conducted the inspection for the registration of Dr B.L. Kapur Memorial Hospital , New Delhi on 21st April 2015
• Attended the Indo-US Health Summit in Minneapolis, USA, from 2nd to 5th August 2015
• Appointed member of the committee for revising recruitment rules for faculty posts at PGIMER, Chandigarh in October 2015
• Assigned the additional role of Dean (Academics), AIIMS , in June 2015
• Appointed as a member of the Aplex Technical Committee, NOTTO (National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation)
• Successfully restarted the LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device) program at AIIMS since December 2015
• Delivered the First Golden Jubilee Oration of AIIMS on the occasion of Institute Day, September 26th, 2016
• Presented the prestigious J.P. Das Heart Failure Oration for 2016 at the 23rd Annual Conference ICCCON 2016 in Goa (16–18 September 2016)
• Delivered the esteemed Professor P.L. Wahi Oration during the International Society for Heart Research India conference on 27th January 2017 at IGIB, New Delhi
• Awarded the “Certificate of Honour” by the Indian Society of Organ Donation at Indore on 5th
• Initiated the DM in Cardiac Surgical Intensive Care and Fellowship in Aortic Surgery programs at the Cardiothoracic Centre, AIIMS
• Delivered the S.S. Sadasivan Oration (2001–2002) , an honour bestowed by the Indian Association of Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgeons
• Conferred the Dr A.K. Basu Visiting Professorship by the Indian Association of Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgeons (1999)
• Delivered the Professor K.V. Naidu Memorial Oration at the AP CSI 16th Annual Conference in Hyderabad
• Presented the 18th K.G. Deshpande Memorial Oration on behalf of the Oration Committee of the Cardiological Society of India, Vidharbha Chapter, Nagpur (2009)
• Honoured with the B.L. Thapa Oration by the X International Surgical Society of Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal
• Recipient of the National Best Medical Services Award on Doctor’s International Day, July 2011, organized by Netrika Manav Samaj Utthan Sewa Samiti
• Published 100 abstracts as author & co-author in various National and International journals
• Presented more than 250 papers as author/co-author in various National and International conferences on coronary/congenital &valvularcardiaclesions.
• Contributed 8 chapters in different books, which include three chapters in national books and five chapters inmonograms

These accolades are just a glimpse into the depth and breadth of DrAiran’s influence. He has not only received recognition for his individual brilliance but has also contributed significantly to the development of national healthcare infrastructure and training systems. As President of the Indian Association of Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgeons of India (2004–2005) and Past President (2005–2007), he helped shape policies and promote continuing medical education across the country.

Moreover, DrAiran’s global engagements—including special training in cardiac transplantation, robotic cardiac surgery, and left ventricular assist device implantation in the United States—have further enriched his expertise and allowed him to bring cutting-edge techniques back to India.

His academic leadership roles, including serving as Interim Director of AIIMS and heading various committees for accreditation and curriculum development, highlight his commitment to institutional growth and quality medical education.

In essence, Dr Balram Airan’s legacy is built upon a foundation of service, innovation, and mentorship. His work continues to inspire generations of surgeons and healthcare professionals, making him not just a pioneer in his field, but a true institution-builder and national treasure in Indian medicine.

Bharat Diary’s Panelist Paediatric  & Adult CTVS.