Professor S.N. Sharma, the founding head of the Department of ENT at Assam Medical College, was a distinguished personality known for his multifaceted contributions to medicine, education, and literature.
Born on January 19, 1915, in Palasbari in the Kamrup district of Assam, he received his early education locally before enrolling at Cotton College, Guwahati, where he completed his I.Sc. in 1935. He went on to earn his MD from Calcutta Medical College in 1941. During his time there, he came under the mentorship of the legendary Dr. B.C. Roy, who regarded him as one of his most promising students.
After completing his studies in India, Dr. Sharma traveled to the United Kingdom, where he earned a Diploma in Laryngology and Otology (DLO) and was awarded the prestigious Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1948. That same year, he returned to India and joined Assam Medical College, where he played a pivotal role in establishing the Department of ENT as a separate entity in 1950. His leadership and vision laid the foundation for the department’s future growth.
In 1957, he was appointed Principal of Assam Medical College, and in 1961, he became the founding Principal of the newly established Guwahati Medical College, a position he held until the end of his distinguished service.
As an ENT surgeon, Professor Sharma was far ahead of his time. He introduced advanced surgical procedures such as stapedectomy and laryngectomy – techniques rarely performed outside leading medical centers in those days.
Throughout his career, he published approximately 30 research papers in various reputed journals. Notably, one of his pioneering studies on hypopharyngeal cancer and its unusually high incidence in Assam, published in the 1950s, continues to be cited today. He co-authored this important work with Professor B.D. Baruah, a renowned pathologist at the same institute.
Beyond academia, Professor Sharma played an influential role in shaping medical infrastructure in Assam. He served on numerous state and central government committees and was instrumental in advocating for the establishment of three new medical colleges in Guwahati, Silchar, and Tezpur. Of these, Guwahati and Silchar Medical Colleges came into existence during his lifetime, and he served as the first Principal of Guwahati Medical College. He was also a member of the selection panel tasked with appointing the first Director of AIIMS.
Earlier in his career, Dr. Sharma served in the Indian Army during World War II. He was part of General Stilwell’s medical unit, which played a key role in constructing the historic Stilwell Road connecting India to Southeast China via Myanmar.
Outside of his medical career, Professor Sharma was deeply learned in Sanskrit and had a passion for literature and creative writing. He penned the anthem of Guwahati Medical College, reflecting his love for both language and institution.
Professor S.N. Sharma remains a towering figure in the history of medical education in Assam – a visionary teacher, accomplished surgeon, institution builder, and cultural contributor.
