NEET topper Dr Veenashree Bhat passionate about taking care of new-born, high-risk babies

Dr Veenashree Satyanarayan Bhat made headlines recently when she stood 11th in the All India National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). As is now well-known, NEET is the only single-level national examination being held for medical aspirants enabling them to seek admission to medical courses and super speciality courses in various medical institutes across the country. The examinations were held in September 2022.

A native of Sirsi: Dr Veenashree Satyanarayan Bhat is currently perusing a doctorate of Medicine, DM Neonatology course at the prestigious Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi. It is a three-year course that medical students can pursue. She is originally from Sirsi in North Canara (Karwar) district and was born in Heggarsimane in Sirsi Taluk. She is the second daughter of Satyanarayan Bhat, a priest by profession and Mrs Dakshayani, a homemaker.

Family of Doctors: Dr Veenashree Satyanarayan Bhat is married to Dr Shrisha Manjunath Hegde of Adnalli village Salekoppa near Ekkambi in Sirsi Taluk. Dr Shrisha Manjunath Hegde is presently in the final year of the three-year full-time post-graduate course DM in Nephrology at the Apollo group of hospitals on Bannerghatta Road in Bengaluru. In fact, Dr Shrisha Manjunath Hegde belongs to a doctor’s family. Apart from him and his wife, even his sister Lakshmi Manjunath Hegde is also a Dentist while his brother-in-law is an Engineer with the giant aerospace company Airbus in the United Kingdom.

One year service during Covid-19: Dr Shrisha Manjunath Hegde was born in Adnalli village Salekoppa near Sirsi to Manjunath Venkataramana Hegde, a progressive Areca nut Planter and Mrs Seeta Hegde, a homemaker. He did his Primary and Secondary education in Sirsi, PUC from Alva’s Moodbidri and MBBS at SDM Medical College, Dharwad. After completing MBBS he worked as a Medical Officer in the Primary Health Centers at Katur, Pala and Malagi for six months. He did MD in General Medicine from the Government Medical College at Yavatmal in Maharashtra. In fact, he served for one year as part of a mandatory service bond as Senior Resident in Nair Hospital in Mumbai during Covid-19 Pandemic. Presently he is studying DrNB at the Department of Nephrology in Apollo Hospital on Bannerghatta Road in Bengaluru.

Registrar in Pediatrics: Dr Veenashree Satyanarayan Bhat did her Primary and Higher Secondary schooling in Kannada medium at Sirsi. She completed Pre University Course at Alva’s College in Mudbidri and MBBS from Belgavi Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS), Belagavi in Karnataka from 2009-2013 and an internship from 2014-2015. She completed her DNB Pediatrics from St Martha’s Hospital, Bengaluru from 2017-2020. Later, she worked as a Senior Registrar in the Department of Pediatrics at Shri Bhagwan Mahavir Jain Hospital in Vasantnagar for a period of two years. She also served at Cloudnine Hospital on Kanakpura Road in Bengaluru.

Aspiring Neonatologist: Dr Veenashree Satyanarayan Bhat aspires to evolve into a Neonatologist with a specific interest in the field of Neonatology. She is equally enthusiastic and passionate enough in handling preterm and high-risk newborn care apart from ICU and emergency care of children.

Paediatrics became my passion: Dr Veenashree Satyanarayan Bhat explains the reasons for her becoming a Doctor and developing Pediatrics into a passion-“Being born and brought up in a small village with little exposure, it was always my dream to become a doctor and serve the society to my best while sincere efforts made me get into the field of medicine. Paediatrics’ became my passion as it's challenging as cute little ones cannot express what they are going through…

…Nothing more grateful than recovery: In fact, for us doctors, there can be nothing more grateful in life than the recovery smile we see on patients' faces. Getting into the branch of Neonatology was my dream since it's not only very challenging but as we are dealing with a very susceptible group of population, it's very overwhelming when you see the best results of your hard work…

…Lot of hard work, determination and perseverance: As NEET SS is the common single entrance exam with high competition and very few seats, it required a good lot of hard work, determination and perseverance. Several years of effort made me get into the topmost hospital in Neonatology in India. It wouldn't have been possible without great support from my partner Dr Shrisha. He was of immense support for me to pursue my dream and also my parents and siblings who have been my support system throughout my life journey", signs off Dr Veenashree Satyanarayan Bhat.

-Manohar Yadavatti