PGIMER Surgeon Dr. Devprakash Choudhary Wins Global David Sutherland Award for Excellence in Pancreas Transplantation
Chandigarh, June 18:
In a moment of immense pride for India, Dr. Devprakash Choudhary, Assistant Professor in the Department of Renal Transplant Surgery at PGIMER Chandigarh, has been awarded the prestigious David Sutherland Distinguished Scholarship Award at the 20th World Congress of the International Pancreas and Islet Transplant Association (IPITA) held in Pisa, Italy on June 17, 2025.
This global honour recognizes Dr. Choudhary’s pioneering contributions to pancreas transplantation at PGIMER, a program that has positioned the institute as a national leader in the field. The award, named after the late Dr. David Sutherland—widely known as the “Father of Pancreas Transplantation”—is one of the highest accolades presented at the biennial IPITA Congress. It is given to promising young transplant surgeons who demonstrate exceptional clinical skill and a robust research portfolio.
Congratulating Dr. Choudhary, PGIMER Director Prof. Vivek Lal remarked, “This recognition underscores PGIMER’s global leadership in transplant innovation. Dr. Choudhary’s work sets a new benchmark and exemplifies our commitment to patient care, academic excellence, and cutting-edge research.”
An alumnus of AIIMS New Delhi and PGIMER, Dr. Choudhary is India’s first surgeon to earn an M.Ch in Transplantation Surgery, awarded at PGIMER’s 36th convocation in 2023. Before joining the faculty earlier this year, he had already received 10 international accolades during his training. The current honour marks his 11th international recognition, and his first as a faculty member.
Expressing gratitude, Dr. Choudhary said, “This award is a tribute to my mentor, Dr. Ashish Sharma, whose vision and guidance have shaped our department. I also owe this to my colleagues, nursing staff, coordinators, and most importantly, our patients, whose trust drives us to deliver truly world-class care.”
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The award comes with the opportunity to collaborate with three globally renowned pancreas transplant centers: the University of Minnesota, the University of Pennsylvania, and Indiana University, enabling Dr. Choudhary to further expand his research and clinical excellence on the global stage.
Prof. Ashish Sharma, Head of the Department of Renal Transplant Surgery, celebrated the milestone, saying, “This is a proud moment not just for our department but for the entire nation. We are among the few global centers performing successful pancreas transplants using extra-small paediatric donors. This award reinforces our commitment to innovation and clinical excellence.”
The IPITA Congress is the leading international forum for pancreas and islet transplantation, and the David Sutherland Award is one of its highest honours—recognizing transformative work in this specialized field of transplant medicine.
PGIMER’s consistent global recognition reflects its rising stature as a hub of advanced medical care and innovation, and Dr. Choudhary’s achievement adds another feather to the institute’s cap.
