Dr. A.K. Mandal was born in Delhi in 1969 to a family rooted in education and engineering. His father, an IIT Kharagpur graduate in Electrical Engineering, worked with the Indian Railways, which led Dr. Mandal to spend his early years in West Bengal. His mother, a retired school teacher, instilled in him a deep passion for learning. The family relocated to New Delhi in 1983 when his father took up a prominent role in the Railway Ministry.

Early Life and Education

Dr. Mandal completed his secondary education at Union Academy School, New Delhi, in 1985, followed by senior secondary at Modern School, Vasant Vihar, in 1987. He later pursued his medical degree at Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, graduating in 1993, before specializing in respiratory diseases with a DTCD from Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute between 1985 and 1987. Dr. Mandal became the first DNB student in Respiratory Diseases to pass from the National Institute of Tuberculosis & Respiratory Diseases (formerly LRS Institute).

Professional Journey

After completing his senior residency in 2002, Dr. Mandal joined Mata Chanan Devi Hospital, Janakpuri, as a junior consultant in Respiratory Medicine. His journey took a pivotal turn in 2006 when he joined the Flt. Lt. Rajan Dhall Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj, under the esteemed leadership of Dr. RK Mani and Dr. Sabyasachi Bal. Here, he gained expertise in managing a state-of-the-art Medical Intensive Care Unit, alongside pioneering work in sleep diagnostics, video bronchoscopy, and pulmonary function tests.

Dr. Mandal’s dedication to enhancing his skill set led him to specialized training in Interventional Bronchoscopy and Thoracic Ultrasonography from Lahey Clinic, Boston, USA, in 2007. He further trained in Sleep Medicine and Sleep Diagnostics in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2008.

Leading Pulmonology at Fortis Hospital, Mohali

In 2008, Dr. Mandal took a leading role at Fortis Hospital, Mohali, overseeing the Medical Intensive Care Unit and expanding its pulmonology services, Dr AK Mandal along with Dr Arun Kumar leads the Team of ICU specialists. Under their guidance, the unit upgraded to an 18-bed MICU and 11-bed GICU, becoming the region's first private hospital to acquire advanced medical equipment like the EBUS scope and Medical Thoracoscope in 2014. Their team performs over 50 interventional procedures monthly, maintaining high standards of patient care.

Teaching and Training

Dr. Mandal's commitment to education is evident in his establishment of IDCCM and IFCCM programs under ISCCM in 2010, allowing countless students to advance in their medical careers. His mentorship continues to shape a strong, experienced team capable of handling complex cases with ease.

Contributions During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Dr. Mandal’s leadership was instrumental during the COVID-19 pandemic. His team treated over 3,500 patients with utmost care and precision, earning high praise for their dedication and service. Dr. Mandal was actively involved in infection prevention and control efforts, leading initiatives both within the hospital and across the region.

Research and Academic Contributions

Dr. Mandal has published papers in both national and international journals and has organized numerous academic events throughout his career. He is also a frequent speaker and chairperson at regional, national, and international medical conferences.

Commitment to Infection Control and Antimicrobial Stewardship

Infection prevention and control are at the core of Dr. Mandal's practice. His passion led him to co-author the National Guidelines for Infection Prevention and Control in Healthcare Facilities, published by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, in 2020. He continues to train healthcare professionals in implementing these critical guidelines.

Principal Investigator for Clinical Trials

Dr AK Mandal also engaged in various national and international clinical trials, serving as the Institute Principal Investigator. His contributions to research and innovation continue to enhance the field of respiratory medicine.