MANGALURU: Dr Belle Monappa Hegde, 82, popularly known as Dr B M Hegde, cardiologist, professor of medicine, scientist, author has been chosen for the Padma Vibhushan award, under medical category, the second-highest civilian award of the country.
The award is given for exceptional and distinguished service.
Known to most as the ‘people’s doctor,’ Dr Hegde is known to be a physician with a humane approach, who lays stress on holistic medicine and importuning on minimum use of medicines. Presently, he resides at Bejai in Mangaluru. Hegde, former vice chancellor of Manipal University, was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2010. He is also the recipient of Dr BC Roy Award in 1999.
Dr Hegde studied up to SSLC at Hiriyadka in Udupi and later completed his intermediate from MGM College, Udupi. He completed his MBBS from Stanley Medical College, Madras in 1960. He received a gold medal from Madras University for MBBS.
Dr Hegde, who was the Dean of Kasturba Medical College from July 13, 1992, served as the vice chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (Deemed University) from June 18, 1999 to August 30, 2003. A recipient of Karnataka Rajyotsava Award in 1997
He was an affiliate professor of human health, University of Northern Colorado since 2002, chairman, Bihar State Health Society’s Expert Committee, Patna, member, Postgraduate Medical Education Board, chairman, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mangalore Kendra, editor in chief, Journal of the Science of Healing Outcomes, Mangalore and Pennsylvania State University, USA, former professor of cardiology (Visiting), London University since 1982 till 2009.
He authored `What Doctors Don't Get to Study in a Medical School Board book,’ a book that provides part of the important and formative reading a medical student must do outside the prescribed requirements for a degree.