Wing Commander Satish Kumar Ram Lal Dham has been on the posted strength of No. 8 AF Hospital since 2 May 85. Commissioned in December, 1963 he served in several flying squadrons as Squadron Medical Officer and did creditably well. He qualified as a Specialist in Medicine after acquiring his M.D. in Medicine from the university of Pune in June, 1971 and has since then been working as a specialist in medicine in the Armed Forces.

He was selected for higher studies in the newer field of clinical immunology and served in the U.K. for a period of two years from Sep 79 to Sep 80 and acquired a postgraduate degree of Masters of Science in Immunology from the University of Birmingham. He was appointed a Reader in Medicine at the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, where he raised an immunology Cell and displayed his professional skill in teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students and undertook many projects. He was appointed an examiner for MBBS by the University of Pune. His original work includes immunological studies in typhoid, leprosy and polio vaccination. He was classified as a specialist in Clinical Immunology in Apr 85. In Dec 85, he was appointed as an external examiner in M.D. in Aviation Medicine of Bangalore University.

His devoted services and professional expertise in the electrocardiographic abnormalities in aircrew earned him a commendation by the Air Officer Commanding-in-chief, HQ Training Command during his tenure at the Institute of Aviation Medicine in Aug 75

For his devotion, professionalism, loyalty and selfless service, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Wing Commander Satish Kumar Ram Lal Dham.

Air Vice Marshal Satish Kumar Ramlal Dham, VSM (8097) Med was commissioned on 29 Dec 1963. A distinguished graduate from BJ Medical College Pune, he obtained the post graduate degree in medicine (MD) in Nov 1970 and later super-specialised in immunology acquiring M Sc from Birmingham University in UK. He has held coveted appointments of Senior Advisor Medicine, Head and Professor of Medicine at Armed Forces Medical College and Consultant (Med) at the apex tertiary care Army Hospital, Research and Referral Hospital (AHRR). Earlier in his formative years he served with distinction at the Caribou transport squadron in the field and the Canberra bomber squadron. He was chosen to be the Physician and Staff Surgeon to the CAS. For his professional excellence he has been commended by the AOC-in-C, TC in 1975 and by the CAS in 1978 and awarded Vishisht Seva Medal by the President for distinguished services of high order in 1987. He served as a medical member UN fact finding mission at Cambodia in 1989. Professionally acclaimed nationally, he was awarded Fellowship of Indian College of Physicians in 1993. He has distinguished himself as one of the few Clinical Immunologists in the country.

Appointed Commandant of the prestigious super­specialty Command Hospital Air Force, Bangalore in Jul 2000, AVM Dham has brought radical changes in the work atmosphere of the hospital which has witnessed a frenzy of professional activity. Departments of nephrology with latest Dialysis facilities and a transplant center, upgraded imaging center with CT Scan facilities and Joint Replacement and Neurosurgical centers have been further modernized with state of art equipment comparable to the best national centers of the country. A nationally acclaimed hospital waste management system has been set up. The hospital is a center of excellence for imparting post graduate training in various disciplines recognized by Rajiv Gandhi University of which AVM Dham is a Principal. His varied experience as teacher has further augmented the training of Medical Officer.

Air Vice Marshal Satish Kumar Ramlal Dham, VSM has, thus, rendered distinguished service of an exceptional order.

Air Marshal Satish Kumar Ramlal Dham was commissioned in the medical branch of IAF on 29 Dec 1963. An astute physician he has held coveted appointments as the Senior advisor in medicine, Head and Professor of medicine at AFMC, PMO at the operational SWAC, Consultant medicine to the armed forces at the apex tertiary care Army hospital, Research & Referral (AHRR) and commandant of the prestigious Command hospital Air Force, Bangalore (CHAFB). He was appointed Commandant of AFMC, the premier teaching establishment of the armed forces in the country in Jan 2002. Presently he is holding the appointment of DGMS (Air).

Earlier in his formative years he served with distinction as a specialist in medicine at the Institute of Aviation Medicine (IAM). For his professional contribution to the vexing problem of ECG abnormalities in aircrew he was commended by the AOC-in-C TC in 1975. Later serving as a Staff Surgeon to Chief of Air Staff in 1978 he was commended by the CAS for his professional excellence. As Reader in medicine at AFMC, he distinguished himself as an excellent medical teacher and guided many research projects and PG students. He was awarded Vishisht Seva Medal by the President for distinguished services of high order in 1987. He has been a medical member UN fact-finding mission at Cambodia in 1989. Professionally acclaimed nationally he was awarded Fellowship of Indian College of Physician in 1993. He was instrumental in conceptualizing the functioning of medical departments at the newly formed AHRR during his tenure as consultant in medicine. He displayed excellent administrative skills as PMO, SWAC and later as Commandant CHAF(B). He modernised the command hospital and set up a nationally acclaimed hospital waste management system. For distinguished services of exceptional order he was awarded Ati Vishisht Seva Medal by the President in Jan 2001.

At AFMC, with his professionalism and vast experience in teaching and training, he brought out significant improvement in the academic environment and established a much needed department of medical education and information technology. As DGMS (Air), he has rationalized the entire medical board and categorization process in the IAF and revised the important medical IAP 4303 which guides the medical officers at the field level. A major fillip has been given to acquire much needed flight safety simulators (Human Centrifuge & Spatial Disorientation simulator) at IAM during his short span as President Indian Society of Aerospace Medicine. He has thus excelled as a Professional, teacher, research worker & displayed excellent organizational skills as an able administrator; during his career spanning over 39 years, and contributed to the growth of medical services of armed forces.

Air Marshal SKR Dham AVSM VSM has thus rendered distinguished service of the most exceptional order.