Surg Vice Admiral Sarin has held posts in all 3 services – army, navy and airforce
According to an official statement, she is an MD in Radiodiagnosis from AFMC, Pune and Diplomate National Board in Radiation Oncology from Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, complemented with training in Gamma Knife Surgery from University of Pittsburgh.
Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, who took over as the Director General of the Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS), the first woman doctor to hold the position, told The Indian Express that this is a tremendous honour.
“As the first woman officer to be appointed to this position, it is a huge honour,”she said. “I would like to continue the legacy of my seniors who have set out a vision document in keeping with Viksit Bharat,” Surg Vice Admiral Sarin (60) who will head the Armed Forces Medical Services for two years said.
The DGAFMS is directly responsible to the Ministry of Defence for overall medical policy matters which are related to the Armed Forces. “I intend to strengthen the holistic healthcare of soldiers, sailors, airmen and their dependents,” Surg Vice Admiral Sarin said. She also focussed on the need for digitizing healthcare delivery for optimal results apart from fostering medical research and innovation.
Surg Vice Admiral Sarin has held prestigious academic and administrative appointments. Prior to assuming the appointment as 46th DGAFMS, the Flag Officer held coveted appointments of DG Medical Services (Navy), DG Medical Services (Air) and Director and Commandant of Pune based Armed Forces Medical College. (AFMC).
In her earlier interview with The Indian Express, Sarin who had taken charge as AFMC commandant had spoken about plans to enhance innovation, research and digital transformation in healthcare and medical training. She is an alumna of AFMC and was commissioned into the Armed Forces Medical Services in December 1985.
According to an official statement, she is an MD in Radiodiagnosis from AFMC, Pune and Diplomate National Board in Radiation Oncology from Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, complemented with training in Gamma Knife Surgery from University of Pittsburgh.
In a career spanning 38 years, the Flag Officer has held prestigious academic and administrative appointments including Professor & Head, Radiation Oncology, Army Hospital (R&R) and Command Hospital (Southern Command)/AFMC Pune, Commanding Officer, INHS Asvini, Command Medical Officer in the Indian Navy’s Southern and Western Naval Commands.
The Flag Officer has the rare distinction of serving in all three branches of the Indian Armed Forces, having served as Lieutenant to Captain in the Indian Army, from Surgeon Lieutenant to Surgeon Vice Admiral in the Indian Navy and as an Air Marshal in the Indian Air Force.
In recognition of her dedication to patient care with utmost loyalty and supreme commitment, the Flag Officer has been awarded Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2024 and Vishisht Seva Medal in 2021. She has also been conferred with Chief of Army Staff Commendation (2017), Chief of Naval Staff Commendation (2001) and General Officer Commanding –in-Chief Commendation (2013) for distinguished service.
The Flag Officer has been recently appointed as a member of the National Task Force by the Supreme Court to formulate safe working conditions and protocols for medical professionals. She has been at the forefront of motivating young women to join the Armed Forces and is a shining icon for the Nari Shakti initiative of the Government.
