Dr. Soumya Pahari, Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences, Nepal.
Dr. Soumya Pahari, MBBS, is a globally engaged physician with a deep-rooted passion for neurosurgery, clinical research, and public health advocacy. From excelling in medical school on a full academic scholarship to completing hands-on neurosurgical training in both Nepal and the U.S., Dr. Pahari has built a career that blends clinical excellence with scholarly rigor. Their dedication to global neurosurgical research, reflected through projects with Vanderbilt University and Mission Brain Foundation, demonstrates a commitment to solving complex medical challenges through evidence-based innovation. Beyond the operating theater, their work as a mental health advocate and educator underscores a holistic approach to medicine that prioritizes human connection, education, and equity.
Profile
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🎓 Early Academic Pursuits
Dr. Soumya Pahari’s academic journey began with a strong foundation in science, nurtured during their high school years at St. Xavier’s College, Nepal, Their passion for medicine soon led them to pursue an MBBS degree at the Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences (NAIHS), where they not only excelled academically but also earned the prestigious NAIHS Academic Scholarship in 2016. Throughout medical school, they developed a keen interest in neuroscience and surgical disciplines, which laid the groundwork for their future specialization in neurosurgery and global neurosurgical initiatives.
🧠 Professional Endeavors in Neurosurgery
Driven by an unrelenting commitment to clinical excellence, Dr. Pahari’s professional training includes a year-long position as House Officer in the Department of Neurosurgery at Shree Birendra Hospital, Nepal’s only neurosurgical unit under the Nepalese Army. Here, they performed critical procedures such as EVD insertion, burr hole evacuation, and tracheostomy, while actively assisting in advanced surgeries like aneurysm clipping and tumor resections. Later, as a Visiting Scholar in Neurosurgery at West Virginia University (WV, USA) under Dr. P. David Adelson, they broadened their exposure by shadowing surgeons, presenting clinical cases, and initiating a quality improvement project focused on vagal nerve stimulators for refractory epilepsy patients. These experiences have collectively enriched Dr. Pahari’s surgical acumen and global neurosurgical insight.
🔬 Contributions and Research Focus
Research forms a core pillar of Dr. Pahari’s career, with a focus on pediatric cerebrovascular disorders, endovascular interventions in extradural hematomas, and quality improvement in epilepsy care. As a Research Collaborator with Vanderbilt Global Neurosurgery Program, they are leading a systematic review to assess the global burden of pediatric cerebrovascular diseases, contributing meaningfully to evidence-based global neurosurgical strategies. Simultaneously, their work with the Mission Brain Foundation aims to analyze the emerging utility of endovascular techniques in traumatic brain injury management. Earlier, they also contributed as an administrator and content developer at the Abdulrauf University of Neurosurgery’s Research Institute in California, helping curate educational content for aspiring neurosurgeon-scientists.
🌍 Advocacy, Mental Health & Global Impact
Dr. Pahari’s commitment to health extends beyond the operating room into the domain of mental health and psychosocial well-being. As a Founding Board Member of Antardhoni Nepal, they’ve played a vital role in promoting mental health awareness and support services in underserved communities. Their leadership also reflects through media engagement as a Podcast Host for ‘Behind White Coats’, a platform where pressing global health issues and common illnesses are discussed with clarity and compassion. These endeavors underline their belief in a holistic approach to health, where mental, social, and physical well-being are equally prioritized.
🏆 Accolades and Recognition
Throughout their academic and professional career, Dr. Pahari has garnered several accolades, notably being ECFMG Certified in August 2024 and scoring an impressive 253 on USMLE Step 2. Their achievements are further supported by certifications such as the Diploma in Neurotrauma Care from the Global Neuro Foundation, which granted them 43.5 AMA PRA Category 1 credits, enhancing their preparedness for managing acute neurotrauma in global contexts. These recognitions reflect their unwavering commitment to clinical excellence and continuous learning.
📢 Influence Through Education and Media
An inspiring communicator and educator, Dr. Pahari has invested time in peer tutoring through Medlife Stories, where they guided junior students through complex medical concepts. Their innovative spirit also led them to head marketing strategies for The SET Exhibition during their early college years—an event that showcased student innovation in science and technology. Through educational content creation, public speaking, and mentoring, Dr. Pahari continues to shape the next generation of healthcare leaders while making medicine more accessible and engaging for all.
🚀 Legacy and Future Contributions
As Dr. Soumya Pahari looks ahead, their vision is clearly anchored in the intersection of clinical neurosurgery, global health equity, and academic research. With ongoing collaborations in global neurosurgical research and growing experience in both developed and developing healthcare systems, they are uniquely positioned to bridge disparities in neurosurgical care. Their future contributions are expected to amplify the voices of underrepresented populations in global health discourse, enhance neurosurgical systems through data-driven quality improvement, and inspire young physicians to approach medicine with both empathy and rigor. Their legacy, still unfolding, promises to be one of profound impact, innovation, and inclusion.
Publication
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Title: Gallstone among patients presenting to the department of surgery in a tertiary care center: a descriptive cross-sectional study
Authors: S Pahari, S Basukala, U Piya, Y Khand, B Thapa, O Thapa, S Thapa
Year: 2023
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Title: A rare case of retroperitoneal extension in Fournier’s gangrene: A case report and review of literature
Authors: S Basukala, Y Khand, S Pahari, KB Shah, A Shah
Year: 2022
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Title: Large posterior mediastinal ganglioneuroma with intradural cervical spine extension: a rare case report and review of literature
Authors: A Dahal, JJ Malla, D Neupane, N Lageju, LS Jaiswal, S Chaudhary, …
Year: 2022
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Title: Complicated pylephlebitis secondary to perforated appendicitis in a child-A rare case report
Authors: S Pahari, M Shrestha, S Basukala, P Kafle, K Rai, Y Khand, O Thapa, …
Year: 2022
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Title: A life-threatening complication of biliary peritonitis following T-tube removal: A case report and review of literature
Authors: Y Khand, S Basukala, U Piya, P Mainali, S Pahari, KB Shah
Year: 2022
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Title: Spontaneous splenic hematoma secondary to dengue infection: a rare case report
Authors: S Pahari, S Basukala, P Kunwar, K Thapa, Y Khand, O Thapa
Year: 2023
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Title: An unusual case of perforated stump appendicitis: a case report
Authors: S Basukala, BD Pathak, S Pahari, S Gurung, B Basukala, BB Rayamajhi, …
Year: 2022
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Title: Acute Pancreatitis among Patients Visiting the Department of Surgery in a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study
Authors: S Basukala, BD Pathak, P Dawadi, S Bohara, A Tamang, S Pahari, …
Year: 2023
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Title: Patient Safety and organizational Safety Culture in Surgery: A Need of an Hour in the developing countries
Authors: S Basukala, S Bohara, A Thapa, A Shah, S Pahari, Y Khand, O Thapa, …
Year: 2022
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Title: Acute recurrent pancreatitis in a child with pancreatic divisum–A case report
Authors: O Thapa, S Basukala, M Shrestha, Y Khand, S Pahari, S Bohara, A Thapa, …
Year: 2022
✅ Conclusion
With a powerful blend of academic distinction, surgical skill, and compassionate advocacy, Dr. Soumya Pahari stands at the forefront of a new generation of physician-leaders. Their journey is a testament to the impact that global collaboration, research, and empathy can have on healthcare. As they continue to pursue excellence in neurosurgery and global health, their work promises not only to improve lives in the operating room but to inspire systemic change across borders. The future undoubtedly holds even greater contributions from this rising medical changemaker.