Three Surgeons, Two Books, One Future

What happens when you get three world-renowned surgeons together to talk about their new books, trends in modern surgery (Robotic & AI) and much more? Find out in this delightful program featuring Dr. Shivam Natarajan, host and guests Prof. Mahendra Bhandari and Prof. Shafi Ahmed. Conversation recorded 18 September 2026, with photos.

More from podcast host Dr. Shivam Natarajan:
The conversation opens with the personal journeys of three surgeons whose careers moved beyond conventional clinical boundaries. Professor Shafi Ahmed describes arriving in the UK from Sylhet as a child, training in London, completing doctoral research in colorectal cancer genetics and becoming a consultant surgeon. His later work expanded into entrepreneurship, investment, global health, public speaking and technology-enabled education.
Professor Mahendra Bhandari explains that his mother’s experience of difficulty accessing doctors influenced his entry into medicine. Clinical work, rather than preclinical science, made the profession come alive for him. He learned that surgery is not simply craftsmanship: most of the patient’s story is written outside the operating theatre through communication, trust and long-term relationships. His career took him across major Indian institutions and then to Henry Ford in Detroit, where he worked with Professor Mani Menon on robotic surgery. He emphasises the value of “horizontal movement” between roles, institutions and countries as a source of learning.
Dr Shivam Natarajan reflects on his own move from surgery into healthcare technology, education and business. Professor Bhandari recalls recognising this potential early and inviting him into medical education technology. The three participants identify migration, mentorship and willingness to change direction as important parts of their development.

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