Prof Dr Shrijana Shrestha has been appointed as the new Rector of Patan Academy of Health Sciences (PAHS). The appointment was made by the Pro-Chancellor and Minister for Health and Population, Dr. Sudha Sharma Gautam, acting on the recommendation of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Buddhi Prasad Paudyal.
The decision was finalized on Poush 14, 2082 (December 29, 2025), in accordance with Section 21, Subsection (1) of the PAHS Act, 2064. According to the appointment letter signed by Ministry Division Head Dr. Krishna Prasad Paudel, Dr. Shrestha will serve a four-year term as Rector.
Prof Dr Shrestha, a renowned paediatrician, has served as Professor of Paediatrics at PAHS since 2010 and as a practising paediatrician since 1998.
She is the former Dean of the School of Medicine at PAHS and held the position at PAHS twice. Her leadership has been instrumental in implementing innovative undergraduate medical curricula and competency-based postgraduate programs focused on community-oriented healthcare.
She has recently worked on the Nepal Pneumococcal vaccine impact assessment project. She is currently working on optimizing DPT containing vaccines schedule in infants. She also has a keen interest in research in Medical education.
Her research expertise includes vaccine-preventable diseases, infectious conditions in children, and pediatric care in low-resource settings, with collaborations involving institutions like the University of Oxford.
This appointment fulfills the vacant post of rector at PAHS as former Rector, Prof Dr Paban Kumar Sharma has recently completed his tenure.
Established in 2008 and affiliated with Patan Hospital, PAHS is dedicated to training health professionals committed to serving rural and underserved communities in Nepal through high-quality education, research, and problem-based learning approaches. Prof Dr Shrestha's extensive experience in academic leadership and clinical practice is anticipated to further advance PAHS's mission in medical education and healthcare delivery.
