The Palcare Team

THE PALCARE TEAM

The Medical team is the heart beat of the organization. Every patient’s wellbeing is the team’s primary concern and no efforts are spared to make the patient physically comfortable, pain free and emotionally assured. Be it pouring rain or blistering heat, the team visits the patient and family at their home weekly, fortnightly, monthly – as the patient’s condition may require.

The Medical team comprises doctors, nurses and counsellors. They work as units – comprising one doctor, 2 to 3 nurses and one counsellor per unit. They divide Mumbai into zones, each unit handling a zone. With a multidisciplinary approach, each unit plans and monitors the medical protocol, liaises with the patients’ GP, Oncologist/Radiologist and provides feedback to the Senior Medical Officer.

Meet the PALCARE team:

Our Doctors:

DR. SANTONA PAL
General Manager, Clinical Services & Senior Medical Officer

With an M.B.B.S. and internship from prestigious R.G. Kar Medical College, Kolkata, Dr. Pal completed her CCDM specialty in Diabetes Mellitus. She brings with her over 13 years of diverse clinical experience in the field of medicine with a specialty in Diabetes Mellitus. She was associated with very well-known healthcare institutions based out of Chennai, Kolkata, and Mumbai. She has also had her own private practice and was associated with many healthcare-related social activities. Dr. Santona has most recently completed her National Fellowship in Palliative Medicine from the Institute of Palliative Medicine, Kozhikode, Kerala.

Dr. SANDEETA SHETTY
General Manager, Clinical Services & Senior Medical Officer

Dr. Sandeeta Shetty, Senior Medical Officer at PALCARE, obtained both her MBBS and MD in Pharmacology degrees from Padmashree Dr. DY Patil University, Navi Mumbai. Dr. Shetty then went on to complete a certificate course in the Essentials of Palliative Care at the Cipla Palliative Care and Training Centre, Pune, which was followed by a fellowship in Palliative Medicine & Pain Management under Dr. Mahesh Menon at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital who she came highly recommended to us from. Dr. Shetty is currently pursuing an MSc in Palliative Medicine through Cardiff University in Wales.

Her work experience includes serving as a Medical Registrar under Dr. Farokh Udwadia, Dr. Zarir Udwadia and team at Breach Candy Hospital as well as Medical Consultant in Medical Affairs. In her time with us, Dr. Shetty has proven herself to be a very dedicated and knowledgeable physician who is capable of building excellent rapport with both patient and family. She is certainly a great addition to our medical team.

DR. AMANJEET KAUR
Medical Officer

Dr. Amanjeet Kaur obtained her MBBS degree from Dr. DY Patil Medical College in Navi Mumbai. Thereafter, she served as Medical Registrar at Sion Hospital for almost a year under Dr. Trupti Trivedi.

She subsequently worked as Medical Registrar under the direction of Drs. Farokh Udwadia and Dr. Zarir Udwadia for three and a half years followed by a post at Breach Candy Hospital as Surgical Intensive Care (SICU) Registrar. In her leisure time, she enjoys playing the harmonium.

Dr. Amanjeet carries out her duties as a palliative care physician at PALCARE with great dedication, intelligence and commitment, and wins over the hearts of her patients with her calm and measured demeanour.

DR. PRANJAL RAMUGADE
Medical Officer

Dr. Pranjal Ramugade, Medical Officer at PALCARE, obtained her MBBS from the Maharashtra University of Health Science, Nashik. Dr. Ramugade subsequently completed a fellowship in Palliative Care from the Institute of Palliative Medicine in collaboration with the World Health Organization and St. Christopher’s Hospice as well as a certificate course in Palliative Care from the Australian Healthcare and Hospital Association (AHHA).

Her work experience includes three years with the Department of Medicine at Breach Candy Hospital, and two years in the Intensive Care Unit at Sir H.N. Reliance Hospital after which she went on maternity leave prior to joining PALCARE in October 2022. In her spare time, Dr. Ramugade enjoys dabbling in adventure sports, reading novels, travelling, and participating in activities which promote social service. From her college days, she has been involved in organizing blood donation camps.

DR. PANKAJ BHOIR
Medical Officer (MO)

Dr. Pankaj Bhoir, holds a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery from Dr. D.Y. Patil School of Ayurveda and Research Institute, Nerul, Navi Mumbai. He has also completed an MBA in Healthcare and Hospital Management from the National Institute of Business Management, Chennai. His work experience includes serving as Residential Medical Officer at Dr. Acharya Pediatric Hospital and Yash Children’s Hospital, Kalyan, Medical Officer at Wockhardt Hospital and Medical Officer at the Mumbai Onco-Center and Asian Cancer Institute. He has participated in many healthcare-related social activities like health checkup camps, blood donation camps.

In his leisure time Dr. Pankaj enjoys trekking, traveling to new places, horse riding and sports. He is a professionally trained animal rescuer and has worked with local NGOs and the fire brigade to rescue snakes and other animals.

DR. SHAZIYA KHAN
Medical Officer (MO)

Dr. Shaziya Khan completed her Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery from YMT Homeopathic Medical College, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai in 2016 after pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from R.J. College, Mumbai. Prior to joining PALCARE, Dr. Shaziya worked as a Ward Medical Officer at the Asian Institute of Oncology in Sion where she gained much exposure to cancer patients. She has also served as a Medical Officer at K.J. Somaiya Hospital & Research Center as well as Astha Health Care Hospital.

Dr. Shaziya brings with her a keen openness to deepen and expand her knowledge as well as a warm and compassionate spirit with a gentle and caring manner. In her free time, she enjoys travelling, sports and film.

DR. VIDHI MEHTA
Medical Officer

Dr. Vidhi Mehta completed her Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery from CMP Homeopathic Medical College, Vile Parle, Mumbai in 2018. Prior to joining PALCARE, she served as Ward Medical Officer in the Comprehensive Thalassemia Centre, Pediatric Hemato Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant Centre {CTC PHO BMT Centre}, Borivali where she gained much exposure to cancer patients. She has also served as an ICU Medical Officer at Karuna Hospital.

In her free time, she enjoys indulging in travelling, dance and cooking.
Our Psychosocial counsellors:

DEVAUNSHI SAMPAT MEHTA
Chief Psychologist & Strategist

Devaunshi Sampat Mehta is PALCARE’s psychologist and a senior member of the team, helping the Founder with strategic planning and marketing. She has been with PALCARE since its inception and is one of its pillars – always ready to help her colleagues and give her best to her patients. A Masters in Arts with a specialization in Counselling from SNDT University, she has completed a training programme in counselling in palliative care at the Palliative Care Department in Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), Mumbai. She has specialized in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy at the Beck Institute of Cognitive Therapy, Philadelphia. She has six years of working experience at Aangan Trust and MANAV Foundation as a psychologist. Devaunshi is a great lover of animals. In her leisure time she is into adventure sport, trekking and bonding with nature.

EBEN FELIX
Counsellor and Social Worker

Eben Felix holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (English, Philosophy and Psychology) from Nagpur University. He has freelanced, consulted, volunteered and worked as a Communications Trainer, Copywriter, Social Worker and a Travel Writer. In Central Asia, where he spent 2.5 years, he worked as a Freelance Photographer and Videographer with a few startups. Eben has travelled and lived extensively all across the country, from cities to the remotest places in India. When he is not working, he is out on the streets with a camera strapped to his hand. Street photography is how he feels he makes some sense and order of the world!

JARVIS. K VARGHESE
Psychologist

Jarvis. K Varghese holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from SNDT university, Mumbai and a Post graduate diploma in Music therapy from Chennai School of Music therapy, Chennai. She has a wide range of experience, over 7 years, as a mental health professional. Her exposure ranges from counselling for teenagers, the LGBTQ community, married couples and others. She has a keen interest in research and would like to pursue a Ph.D. in the field of cancer care. In her leisure time she enjoys indulging in reading, painting, playing musical instruments and singing.

DIVYA GIDITHURI
Psychologist

Divya Gidithuri holds a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from SNDT Women’s University. She has over four years of experience in providing psycho-socio-legal aid to survivors of abuse, trauma and individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community. Her approach is primarily based on somatic experiencing while taking a more trauma-focused and compassion-focused perspective towards her patients and their families. Additionally, she loves animals, is passionate about rescuing animals in need and hopes to pursue a Diploma in Animal Assisted Therapy in the future.

SHRUTI MUKHOPADHYAY
Psychologist

Shruti Mukhopadhyay holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from SNDT University, Mumbai. Her experience in the field is varied and includes working as a shadow teacher, providing geriatric counseling, working in Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital as well as the oncology department of various hospitals such as KEM Hospital, B.J. Wadia Hospital and B.Y.L. Nair Hospital in Mumbai.

Shruti is compassionate, empathetic and is an active listener who likes to follow an eclectic approach in her work. She’s very passionate about music and loves singing and playing the ukulele in her leisure time.
PALCARE NURSES:

Almost all of PALCARE’s nurses hold Diplomas in General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM). The majority have completed the ‘Six Weeks Certificate Course in Palliative Care’ conducted by Tata Memorial Centre with the newest recruits completing the intensive three-day ‘Basics in Palliative Care for Nurses’ at Tata Memorial Hospital.

Most have completed the ‘Advanced Nursing Skills in Palliative Care’ training program through the Academy of Palliative Medicine. With time and experience, the nurses have blossomed into experts in palliative care nursing and show tremendous dedication and compassion in what they do.

SENIOR PALLIATIVE CARE NURSES:

Priyanka Girkar

General Nursing and Midwifery

Ashwini Mohite

Revised General Nursing and Midwifery

Seema Patil

General Nursing and Midwifery

Supriya Tiwarekar

Revised General Nursing and Midwifery

PALLIATIVE CARE NURSES:

Ishwari Lingayat

Revised General Nursing and Midwifery

Maria Fernandes

General Nursing and Midwifery

Priti Panchal

General Nursing and Midwifery

Ankita Mhatre

General Nursing and Midwifery

Sakshee Pawara

General Nursing and Midwifery

Jyotika Dongre

General Nursing and Midwifery

Richa Coutinho

General Nursing and Midwifery

Diksha Bhalerao

General Nursing and Midwifery

Bhagyashri Raut

Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Our Support Staff:

Our Support staff are a group of dedicated and committed PALCARE loyalists. They form the backbone of the organization, taking care to ensure that all systems are working efficiently and smoothly, so that PALCARE can fulfill its mission to provide an excellent home-based palliative care service.

Elaine Fernandes (pictured fifth from left): As Medical Coordinator, Elaine’s key responsibilities are to liaise between the medical team and referring doctors and healthcare institutions, to organize the internal education programme, and be the coordinator for the Quality and Clinical Advisory Board. As Communications Executive, Elaine supports PALCARE’s leadership with external communications including grant applications, progress reports, social media and other marketing materials. Outside of work, Elaine enjoys making art and has exhibited in group and solo-shows in the US.

Gracy D’Silva (pictured fourth from left): As Admin Head, Gracy is responsible for the effective administration of the office and managing all administrative matters. As HR Head, she oversees all HR-related matters. In her free time, she pursues various crafts and gardening.

Ram Thapa : As Consultant for Accounts and Statutory Affairs, he guides and supports the Senior accountant and other staff with financial tasks, reviewing & verifying all accounting transactions, statutory compliances, annual accounts & returns, tax matters & Investments. Outside of work, he enjoys sketching and listening to music.

Prakash Hegde (pictured third from left): As Senior Accountant he is in charge of work related to Banking, Donors, Grantors, CSR Donors, Investments, Statutory Payments, Quarterly & Annual Returns, issuing various Certificates and reviewing the work of the Junior Accountant. In his spare time, he likes listening to soulful music.

Siddhesh Muyle (pictured first from left): As Data Analysis Executive, Siddhesh is in charge of closely maintaining PALCARE’s entire patient database. In his leisure time, Siddhesh loves to immerse himself in nature and go trekking.

Sharad Thakur (pictured second from left): As Junior Accountant, he is responsible for all cheque payments, Data Entry work into Accounting software, preparing Challans, Booking Imprest Vouchers, maintaining the Donation Register. He likes to indulge in sports like cricket.

Saakshi Bhuruk (pictured sixth from left): As Admin Assistant, she performs database entry into the Electronic Medical Record platform verifying that all required forms and other details are uploaded into the system. Saakshi is a passionate Dhol drummer and can be spotted on a Sunday evening practicing with her troupe by Bandstand, Bandra, Mumbai.