The Amrita School of Medicine offers a large number of bachelors, masters and doctoral degree programs. Most bachelor level students study for their MBBS degrees. Master level students are enrolled in MD, MS, M Ch or DNB programs with different specializations. DNB students at Amrita have lately won many honors, bringing laurels to the institution.
 
DNB stands for Diplomate of National Board. It is the nomenclature of the degree awarded by the National Board of Examinations and is equated by the Government of India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with postgraduate and post doctorate degrees awarded by Indian Universities. The DNB exam is known for its difficult questions; clearing it is no easy task.
 
At Amrita, DNB students study in any one of 26 different departments or disciplines including Anesthesiology, Cardiology, Diabetes & Endocrinology, ENT, Gastroenterology, General Surgery, Medical Oncology, Neonatology, Nephrology, Neurology, Nuclear Medicine, Ophthalmology, Pathology, Pediatrics, Pulmonary Medicine and Urology.
 
Last month, the first batch of second year DNB students of Pathology — Dr. Bindhu M. R. & Dr. Mohana S. N. — cleared the DNB exam in the very first attempt. This month Dr. Sashidhar, DNB student in the Department of Anesthesia, learned that he had been awarded a gold medal for his performance in the recently concluded DNB Anesthesia Exam.
 
Another gold medal was bagged by Dr. Bharat NS of ENT Dept. The National Board of Examinations had selected him based on his performance in the academic session ending June 2008. He was specifically nominated for the otorhinolaryngology specialty within ENT. These students and their teachers are all to be congratulated.
 
But this is not all. Our DNB students excelled at other forums too. At a nation-wide scholarship exam conducted by Torrent Pharmaceuticals, second year Endocrinology DNB students claimed the two top prizes. Dr. R. Bharat stood first and received a scholarship amount of Rs. 1 lakh. Dr. Anish Ahmed came in second and received an amount of Rs. 50,000.
 
A panel of six independent examiners had tested the students at the exam that was conducted at Ahmedabad. Candidates had participated in MCQs, vivas, debates and discussions of clinical cases. It is indeed a testimony to the quality of instruction that is offered at Amrita that our students continue to excel in this manner; and we are justifiably proud of them!

Dr. R. Bharat	Dr. Anish Ahmed

January 11, 2009
School of Medicine, Kochi