Odisha Doctor Receives Prestigious Global Award In Rheumatology

Bhubaneswar: Prof Dr Ramnath Misra, Head of the Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology at Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), has been honoured with the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Masters Award for 2024.

This prestigious accolade, considered the highest honour in the field of Rheumatology, recognises his exceptional contributions to the field of rheumatology.

The award was presented during the ACR Annual Congress on November 15 at Washington, DC, USA. This event being held from November 14-19 celebrates the achievements of distinguished rheumatologists and their contributions to advancing the field.

He was the sixth Indian to receive this distinguished award.

Having retired in 2019 after serving at the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, for 31 years, Dr Misra was instrumental in introducing formal training programmes in India for rheumatology, as it was not an established speciality in the country.

Dr Misra’s recognition as a Master of the ACR underscores his significant role in the global rheumatology community. His work has not only advanced clinical practices but has also inspired many in the field, reflecting his commitment to excellence in patient care and medical education.

ACR is a professional society of about 15,000 rheumatologists, clinical immunologists, physicians, and allied healthcare providers globally. Each year, the society honours distinguished rheumatologists as Masters. This year, 22 have been selected, including three rheumatologists from outside the US and Canada, and Dr Misra was one of them.

During his distinguished career, Dr. Misra has been bestowed with the Dr M N Passey Award for lifetime achievement from the Indian Rheumatism Association, fellowship of the National Academy of Medical Sciences, India, and the esteemed Asia Pacific League Against Rheumatism Master Award.