Indian American physician and philanthropist Dr. Navin C. Shah has committed $525,000 to establish a five-year infectious disease program at BJ Government Medical College in Pune, Maharashtra, in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. The initiative aims to strengthen medical research, education, professional training and patient care, particularly for underserved communities.
Named the Navin C. Shah Infectious Disease Program, the initiative will support research, medical education, faculty and student exchanges, and clinical care. The collaboration is intended to encourage knowledge sharing between medical professionals and academic institutions in India and the United States while expanding opportunities for training and research in infectious diseases.
The agreement was signed at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, with Shah and Dr. Amita Gupta participating in the ceremony. Gupta is the Florence Sabin Professor of Infectious Diseases and director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
Gupta is also the founder and faculty co-chair of the Johns Hopkins India Institute. She has been involved in infectious disease research and medical collaborations in India for more than two decades, bringing extensive experience to the partnership.
BJ Government Medical College, Shah’s alma mater, is one of Pune’s major public medical institutions. The new program is expected to support its medical education and research activities while creating opportunities for collaboration with Johns Hopkins University. Faculty and student exchanges will help participants share expertise, develop professional skills and strengthen institutional ties.
The initiative also places emphasis on patient care, particularly for underserved communities in Pune. By combining research, medical training and clinical collaboration, the program seeks to contribute to the development of infectious disease expertise and improve access to specialized medical knowledge.
Shah’s commitment highlights the role of Indian American philanthropy in strengthening healthcare and academic partnerships between India and the United States. The five-year program represents an investment in medical education, research collaboration and healthcare services, with the potential to create lasting connections between the two institutions.
