- Speciality: Female Oncologist, Palliative Medicine, Pain Management
- Designation: Senior Consultant -Pain and Palliative Medicine, Onco-Critical Care and Onco-Anaesthesia, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Delhi
- Education: MBBS, MD (Anaesthesia), MSc in Palliative Medicine
- Experience: 34+ years
- Hospital: Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Delhi
About Dr. Sushma Bhatnagar
Dr. Sushma Bhatnagar is a highly respected Palliative Medicine Specialist with over 34 years of clinical and academic experience. Currently serving as Clinical Lead and Senior Consultant at Apollo Hospitals, Delhi, she has significantly advanced the fields of pain management, onco-critical care, and palliative medicine. A graduate of SMS Medical College, Jaipur, she holds an MBBS, MD (Anaesthesia), and MSc in Palliative Medicine from Cardiff, UK. Dr. Bhatnagar has held several prestigious leadership roles, including Head of Onco-Anaesthesia and Palliative Medicine at AIIMS, Chief of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar IRCH, and Chairperson of COVID-19 Services at NCI Jhajjar. She is widely recognized for founding key academic programs such as DM in Onco-Anaesthesia and MD in Palliative Medicine at AIIMS and for establishing national-level palliative care policies.
In addition to her clinical excellence, Dr. Bhatnagar has received numerous awards, including the APHN Cynthia Goh Lifetime Achievement Award and the IASP Excellence Award. She is a published author with over 456 journal articles, 4 books, and 600+ conference presentations. Her professional memberships include the Lancet Commission on Palliative Care and the International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care. Dr. Bhatnagar continues to lead with compassion, innovation, and a deep commitment to patient-centered care.
Work Experience
- Clinical Lead and Senior Consultant – Pain and Palliative Medicine, Onco-Critical Care and Onco-Anaesthesia, Apollo Hospitals, Delhi
- Former Chief – Dr. B.R. Ambedkar IRCH, AIIMS New Delhi (Jul 2022 – Feb 2025)
- Former Head – National Cancer Institute, AIIMS Jhajjar (Jul 2022 – Apr 2023)
- Chairperson – COVID-19 Services, NCI Jhajjar (Jan 2021 – Jan 2022)
- Chief Editor – Indian Journal of Palliative Care (2007 – 2018)
- President – Indian Association of Palliative Care (2018 – 2025)
- Head – Onco-Anaesthesia and Palliative Medicine, AIIMS (2003 – Feb 2025)
Specialty & Interests
- Pain and symptom management in cancer patients
- Onco-critical care and anaesthesia
- End-of-life care and palliative support
- Development of academic programs and policies in palliative care
- Leadership in national cancer pain relief initiatives
Memberships
- Member – Lancet Commission Report on Palliative Care
- Former Council Member – International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP)
- Former Board Member – International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care (IAHPC)
- Former Board Member – Asia Pacific Hospice Network
Education & Training
- MBBS – SMS Medical College, Jaipur
- MD (Anaesthesia) – SMS Medical College, Jaipur
- MSc in Palliative Medicine – Cardiff University, UK
Honors & Awards
- Honorary Member – IASP (2024)
- APHN Cynthia Goh Lifetime Achievement Award (2023)
- Fellow – National Academy of Medical Sciences (2024)
- IASP Excellence Award – Milan (2012)
- Leadership & Excellence Award – SAARC Countries (2012)
- Susan Raj Pain Physician of the Year (2013)
- ASCO Mentorship Award – Women Who Conquer (2020)
- Vishisht Chikitsa Ratna Award – Delhi Medical Association (2019)
Treatments Offered
- Comprehensive pain and symptom management
- Supportive care for terminal illnesses
- End-of-life care planning and execution
- Onco-critical care and anaesthesia for cancer patients
