The eminent neurosurgeon and former AIIMS Bhubaneswar Director made landmark contributions to advanced neurosurgery, medical education and healthcare institution-building over a distinguished four-decade career
OdishaPlus Bureau
Renowned Odia neurosurgeon, distinguished academician and Padma Shri awardee Professor (Dr.) Ashok Kumar Mahapatra passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, on Monday evening. He was 74.
His death marks the end of an illustrious career spanning over four decades, during which he made significant contributions to neurosurgery, medical research, healthcare administration and medical education.
Born on December 29, 1952, in Puri, Dr. Mahapatra completed his MBBS from MKCG Medical College, Berhampur, in 1975. He subsequently joined AIIMS, New Delhi, where he obtained his MS in Surgery in 1979 and MCh in Neurosurgery in 1982.
He spent nearly 42 years at AIIMS, New Delhi, serving in several important academic and administrative positions, including Head of the Department of Neurosurgery, Chief of the Neurosciences Centre and Dean of Research.
One of the defining moments of his professional career came in 2017, when he led a multidisciplinary team of specialists in the historic separation of Odisha’s conjoined twins, Jaga and Kalia, at AIIMS, New Delhi. The highly complex surgery, involving twins joined at the head, brought international attention to India’s capabilities in advanced neurosurgery.
Dr. Mahapatra also played a pivotal role in strengthening India’s premier medical institutions. He served as Director of the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, from 2006 to 2009, before taking charge as the founding Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar in 2012.
During his tenure at AIIMS Bhubaneswar from 2012 to 2016, he helped establish the institution’s academic and clinical infrastructure, introducing undergraduate, postgraduate and super-speciality courses. His contribution was instrumental in shaping the institute during its formative years.
He subsequently served as Vice-Chancellor of Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA) University, Bhubaneswar, from 2020 to 2022, and continued to guide the institution as an advisor in health sciences.
A prolific researcher and academician, Dr. Mahapatra authored numerous research papers, books and chapters in medical publications. His work contributed significantly to the advancement of paediatric neurosurgery, neurotrauma and peripheral nerve surgery in India.
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to medicine, the Government of India conferred the Padma Shri on him in 2025.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed profound grief over his demise, describing him as one of the country’s distinguished neurosurgeons whose contributions had brought immense recognition to Odisha and the nation.
His passing has cast a pall of gloom over the medical and academic fraternity. For Odisha, his death is not merely the loss of an eminent doctor but also that of a medical pioneer who helped bring advanced healthcare and medical education closer to the people of the State.
Dr. Mahapatra will be remembered for his exceptional surgical skills, academic leadership and enduring contribution to institution-building.