Profile: Anant Ram Bhati

UC's newest trustee, Dr. Anant Ram Bhati, says his medical training and teaching experience have prepared him well for the challenges of serving on the University of Cincinnati Board of Trustees.

Bhati has been an innovator in surgical techniques using endoscopy which can reduce the cost, risk, and complications to patients. He is a compassionate doctor who has documented how those newer techniques can nearly eliminate complications such as infections by letting patients recover at home instead of in a hospital.

"From a patient's point of view, it's very beneficial." He has also traveled around the world at his own expense teaching other doctors to use the techniques and operating free of charge in needy communities. "I give any money I get back to the hospitals where I teach," said Bhati. "I feel strongly about that."

Bhati's dedication to the community is well known in Ohio. He has served five years on the State Medical Board and has been invited to serve another five-year term. He has taught medical students for 30 years at UC, thoroughly enjoying the experience.

"I love teaching. I love UC. I have taught here for 30 years with no vested interest. I've never been paid." said Bhati.

In fact, Bhati isn't beyond lecturing patients who also happen to be students. He records the grade point averages of his young patients, then, during later check-ups, he also checks on their academic progress.

"I talk to them as a big brother. It takes five minutes extra, but it's worth it. I get after them if they don't meet expectations."

Bhati has similar high expectations for the university he loves. He wants every faculty member to want to send their children here. He wants every program to meet the nationally recognized excellence of programs such as law, medicine, and architecture.

"It is a dream, but I'm very hopeful," said Bhati. "When my boy graduates with an MBA, I want Fortune 500 companies to offer him the same money as those coming from Cornell, Princeton, and other Ivy League schools. We should be able to do that."

He is particularly excited about the drive to double the research funding in biomedical areas. "I met with Dr. (Donald) Harrison, and it is a superb plan," said Bhati, "I will do everything I can to get it completely done."

Bhati was appointed to the UC Board of Trustees in January. His term runs through Jan. 1, 2009.