In the lives of many healthcare professionals, the calling to heal begins far earlier than formal education or white coats. It starts as a quiet instinct, an early sensitivity to suffering, an admiration for service, a belief that helping people can be a life’s purpose. For some, the motivation to work relentlessly is never about money or recognition, but about doing something meaningful and creating impact that truly changes lives.
One such leader is Dr. Sanjeev Mohanty, whose purpose-driven journey exemplifies transformative impact in modern healthcare. As Senior Consultant and Head of the Department of ENT, Head & Neck Surgery at MGM Healthcare, Chennai, this seasoned surgeon brings over 30 years of expertise to the Institute. And his unwavering determination has earned him the “Most Inspiring Healthcare Leader 2025” honour criss-crossing the length and breadth of the country.
When Compassion Becomes a Calling
Dr. Mohanty was born and raised in Jamshedpur, then part of Bihar, Jharkhand, and finally, Chennai, what he calls his “karmabhoomi”. His family’s roots trace back nearly a century to Odisha, giving him a unique cultural blend. With Odia as his mother tongue and a childhood shaped in a cosmopolitan environment, diverse cultures were woven into his worldview early on. A flair for multiple languages, his linguistic skills has integrated well into professional practice as well.
A pivotal influence came during his schooling days through the Baden-Powell Scouts movement, where he served as a troop leader and volunteered repeatedly as a first-aid worker during school events. But, the decisive moment, however, unfolded at home. Watching his grandfather recover from a critical hospitalization returning to normalcy within a week left a profound imprint. As the years passed, he watched close members of his family undergo ENT surgeries, the complexity of the head and neck region home to vital sensory organs, the intricacy fascinated him, it inspired him.
By 7th standard, Dr. Mohanty knew with absolute clarity that he wanted to become a doctor. During his tryst with competitive NEET exams, he got the opportunity to shadow an accomplished ENT surgeon, which became a life changing moment. He knew , ENT , Head & Neck Surgery was the chosen one.
Hands-On Roots, International Heights
Dr. Mohanty completed his MBBS and MS (ENT) in Odisha at SCB Medical College, Cuttack, and MKCG Medical College, Berhampur. The enormous patient load in government institutions became a blessing, sharpening his clinical acumen and building confidence through extensive hands-on exposure.
His dedication was recognised early. He was awarded Best Outgoing Student during his MS (ENT), received multiple citations for emergency life-saving procedures, and won multiple gold medals for case presentations at national meetings of the Association of Otolaryngologists of India, milestones that validated years of perseverance.
As medicine evolved rapidly, Dr. Mohanty recognised the need to keep pace with global standards and advanced technology. He pursued structured fellowships and training across premier institutions in India AIIMS Delhi, PGI Chandigarh, and Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai before expanding his horizons internationally.
His global exposure includes advanced training at the Tübingen Hearing Research Institute (Germany); Harvard Medical Centre, NYU Langone Medical Centre, and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (USA); Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital (USA); St. Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney (Australia); and Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham (UK). Navigating cultural and language barriers, he collaborated seamlessly with his international peers.
The Scholar Behind the Surgeon
Beginning as an Assistant Professor at SRMC, Chennai, he rose steadily to Head of Department, independently leading and shaping the unit. Beyond teaching and surgery, he contributed through roles in capacity building, institutional ethics, management, and scientific research. His work is supported by multiple peer-reviewed indexed publications, which is often cited in scientific fora. He has served as guest faculty and surgical trainer in India and abroad, and as an overseas external examiner for Malaysia’s national ORL exit examinations, alongside participation in MRCS and overseas ORL exam teams too. Mentoring junior faculty and nurturing the next generation of ENT surgeons remains central to his mission.
Building MGM’s ENT Excellence
Drawn by the institution’s clarity of vision and forward-looking leadership, Dr. Mohanty joined MGM Healthcare nearly seven years ago. What followed was a purpose-driven endeavour building an anchor ENT-Head & Neck Surgery department almost from scratch. Together with a carefully nurtured team, he developed a nationally accredited postgraduate programme and a faculty that now stands shoulder to shoulder with the country’s best. The patient outcomes speak volumes, having treated over 3 lakh outpatients and performed close to 3,000 successful surgeries, along with treating patients from nearly 50 countries with enviable outcomes , during his present stint clearly reflects not only scale, but also consistency, compassion, and quality of care.
Under his leadership, the department has delivered numerous firsts and innovations, including a successful Cochlear Implant Programme, Scarless endoscopic surgeries, Robotic-assisted transoral procedures, Endoscopic skull-base surgeries, Advanced otologic surgery and many more.
He set the academic benchmarks equally strong, the first three consecutive postgraduate batches achieved a 100% pass record, which is a milestone in itself for a new institution. Additionally, the department has produced 10 international indexed publications from in-house clinical material and regularly conducts CMEs and surgical workshops. Recent niche domains of excellence include adult cochlear implants, expanded robotic TORS indications, balloon Eustachian tuboplasty, endoscopic facial plastic surgery, and neurotology diagnostics and management.
Guiding Data and Future Healers
Dr. Mohanty’s vision stays laser-focused and resolute, that is to produce and publish original clinical data that guides other institutions, enriches collective knowledge, and elevates patient care nationwide. Just as vital is his enduring pledge to train specialists imbued with precision, purpose, and profound responsibility.
In essence, Dr. Mohanty’s legacy at MGM Healthcare and his personal chamber at Dr.Mohanty’s Speciality ENT Clinics at Chennai have synced well beyond boundaries, which redefines leadership in ENT, blending innovation, empathy, and excellence to inspire the next generation of healers.
