Dr. Shirish Prayag is a distinguished physician and a pioneer in the field of Critical Care Medicine in India. He serves as the Managing Director and Chief Consultant at Prayag Hospital in Pune, a role he has held for several decades. Under his leadership, Prayag Hospital has been at the forefront of providing advanced critical care services, becoming a beacon for excellence in medical care in the region.

Dr. Prayag’s journey in medicine began with his medical education at B.J. Medical College, Pune. His passion for critical care led him to pursue advanced training in the United Kingdom, where he became the first physician from Pune to specialize in Critical Care Medicine at London’s Charing Cross Hospital under the mentorship of Professor Ken Hillman. This experience significantly influenced his approach to patient care and shaped his future endeavors in the field.

In the 1980s, recognizing the need for specialized critical care services in Pune, Dr. Prayag established the city’s first dedicated Critical Care Unit at Prayag Hospital. This initiative marked a significant milestone in the development of intensive care services in the region, providing comprehensive care for patients with life-threatening conditions across various medical disciplines.

Beyond his clinical contributions, Dr. Prayag has been instrumental in the growth of the Critical Care Medicine specialty in India. He played a pivotal role in the formation of the Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine (ISCCM) in 1993, an organization that has since grown to over 15,000 members nationwide. His efforts in promoting education and training in critical care have been recognized through various initiatives, including the inauguration of India’s first mechanical ventilation workshop in Pune in 1998.