Guest lecture on “Psychiatric disorders”, April 09, 2025
Dr. Nilesh Shah (HoD Psychiatric Department, LTM Medical College and General Hospital, Sion) delivered
a talk on “Common Psychiatric Disorders and Their Management,” covering conditions like depression, anxiety,
panic attacks, Alzheimer's, schizophrenia, mania, and addiction.
Dr. Nilesh Shah (HoD, Psychiatry Dept. LMT medical college) (5th from left), with Dr. Prakash Gupta to his right
and Dr. Mangesh Pednekar to his left (Directors, Healis), along with the Healis team.
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A brief session on the Tobacco Control System, Tobacco Cessation Clinics (TCCs) operations, and the System administration of NP-NCD program: April 04, 2025
'Mr. Rahul Sonawane (Head, Public Health Care Projects, Stemz Health Care, India) conducted a
comprehensive session on the Tobacco Control System, covering system administration, data
management, and how TCCs operate. He also led a detailed discussion on the National Programme
for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), highlighting its administrative
structure, goals, and how tobacco cessation aligns with broader public health objectives.
Mr. Sameer Narake (Right) presenting memento to Mr. Rahul Sonwane (Left)
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Meeting with Dr. Nilam Gada (March 13, 2025)
Healis recently hosted Dr. Nilam Gada, a renowned Cosmetic Dental Surgeon, Tobacco Cessation Specialist,
and Mental Health Advocate, for an insightful session on the 5A’s and 5R’s brief tobacco intervention.
Dr. Gada explained how Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI) can be
applied to drive behavior change and support tobacco cessation. The session also featured an interactive
quiz on CBT and MI, enhancing participants' understanding of these counselling techniques.
Ms. Priyanka Ghosh (Healis) and Dr. Nilam Gada (Tobacco Cessation Specialist)
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Healis Foundation Day (1st August 2024)
'The Healis team celebrated its 20th anniversary on August 1st, 2024, with a health check-up for employees, followed by a cake-cutting ceremony at the office. Over the weekend, on August 3rd, 2024, an outdoor Capacity Building Event was held at Monteria Resort, Khalapur. This event featured a variety of activities designed to enhance the skills of Healis team members. As we embark on a new year, we remain committed to making a global impact in Public Health.'
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Press Conference (24th January 2024)
'Press Conference was organized on 24 January 2024 at the Mumbai Press Club for the release of "Tobacco Free Teachers- Tobacco Free Society (TFT-TFS) Program Dissemination of Self- Guided Manual for Headmasters and Teachers "Marathi manual.'
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Dr. K. “Vish” Viswanath, PhD visited India and Healis (12 th January 2024)
Dr. K. “Vish” Viswanath, PhD visited India and Healis to discuss ongoing and upcoming research projects, as well as potential collaborative research ideas. Dr. Viswanath, Director of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health India Research Center and co-chair of the India Learning Network on Tobacco Control (iLEARNT), is renowned for his work on health communication, inequalities, and the use of new technologies in health promotion
Members present from left to right: Dr. Prakash C. Gupta (Director, Healis) and Dr. K. “Vish” Viswanath (Director of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health India Research Center)
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The University of Minnesota, Healis Sekhsaria Institute for Public Health, and the Center for Cancer Epidemiology (CCE) ACTREC teams met at CCE ACTREC in Navi Mumbai (10th January 2024)
The University of Minnesota, Healis Sekhsaria Institute for Public Health, and the Center for Cancer Epidemiology (CCE) ACTREC teams met at CCE ACTREC in Navi Mumbai for a detailed discussion on the methodology of the air pollution project.
Members present from left to right: Dr. Sharayu Mhatre (CCE), Dr. Mangesh S Pednekar (Healis), Dr. Prakash C Gupta (Healis), Dr. Rajesh Dixit (CCE), Dr. Stephen Hecht (University of Minnesota), Prof. Irina Stepanov (University of Minnesota), Dr. Namrata Puntambekar (Healis), Dr. Xianghua Luo(University of Minnesota).
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A team from the University of Minnesota visited Healis Sekhsaria Institute for Public Health (10th January 2024)
A team from the University of Minnesota visited Healis Sekhsaria Institute for Public Health to discuss a new air pollution project. The delegation included Dr. Stephen Hecht, Dr. Xianghua Luo, Dr. Peter Villalta, Dr. Christopher Ruszczak, and Prof. Irina Stepanov.
Representing Healis were Dr. Prakash C. Gupta (Director), Dr. Mangesh S. Pednekar (Director), and the Healis staff. During the visit, Dr. Stephen Hecht also presented a colloquium on "Overview of Tobacco Carcinogens and DNA Adducts in Cancer Prevention Research." This visit followed a detailed discussion of the project at the Center for Cancer Epidemiology (CCE) ACTREC, where project methodology and protocols were reviewed.
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SIGMA University, Vadodara, Gujarat, and Healis Sekhsaria Institute for Public Health, Navi Mumbai (Healis) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) (8th January 2024)
SIGMA University, Vadodara, Gujarat, and Healis Sekhsaria Institute for Public Health, Navi Mumbai (Healis) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish academic collaboration.
Members present from left to right: Dr. Namrata Puntambekar (Research Manager), Dr. Mangesh S. Pednekar (Director), Dr. Prakash C. Gupta (Director), Dr. Priyesh P. Gandhi Provost (Vice Chancellor), Mr. Shailesh Vasavada, Director of the III Cell, Mr. Saurabh Shah (Advisor Healis).
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Dr. Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University, Pune (MIT-WPU) and Healis Sekhsaria Institute for Public Health (Healis) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) (4th January 2024)
Dr. Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University, Pune (MIT-WPU) and Healis Sekhsaria Institute for Public Health (Healis) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish academic collaboration.
Members present from left to right: Dr. Ashwin Kuchekar (MIT-WPU), Dr. Namrata Puntambekar (Healis), Dr. Mangesh S Pednekar (Healis), Dr. Shankar Rane (MIT-WPU), Mr. Saurabh Shah (MIT-WPU), Mr. Ramesh Siddavatam (MIT-WPU), and Mrs. Rupali S Nilekar (MIT-WPU).
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Diwali celebration at Healis office (10th November 2023)
'The Diwali festivities at Healis office commenced with the traditional "Dhanteras puja" this year. Team members adorned in traditional attire engaged in various team-building games and activities as part of the celebration.'
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Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Healis Sekhsaria Institute for Public Health, Navi Mumbai (Healis) have signed an MoU (21 st September 2023)
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Healis Sekhsaria Institute for Public Health, Navi Mumbai (Healis) have signed an MoU for joint collaboration in capacity building, research, data analysis, and other areas.
Members present from left to right: Dr. Prakash C. Gupta (Director, Healis), Dr. Daksha Shah (Executive Health Officer, BMC), Dr. Mangesh S. Pednekar (Director, Healis), Dr. Pramod Ashtekar (Deputy Executive Health Officer, BMC), Dr. Namrata Puntambekar (Research Manager, Healis), Dr. Gulnar Khan (Medical Officer of Health, BMC), and other officials.
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Dr. Kaumudi Joshipura, Dean of the Bagchi School of Public Health at Ahmedabad University and Adjunct Professor of Epidemiology at Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, visited Healis Sekhsaria Institute for Public Health (11 th September 2023)
Dr. Kaumudi Joshipura, Dean of the Bagchi School of Public Health at Ahmedabad University and Adjunct Professor of Epidemiology at Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, visited Healis Sekhsaria Institute for Public Health to explore potential joint teaching programs and research collaborations. She previously served as NIH Endowed Chair and Director of the Center for Clinical Research and Health Promotion at the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus.
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Dr. Ritesh Mistry from the University of Michigan visited Healis Sekhsaria Institute for Public Health (4 th August 2023)
Dr. Ritesh Mistry from the University of Michigan visited Healis Sekhsaria Institute for Public Health to discuss the ongoing project "Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Tobacco Use and Tobacco Control Policy in India." The meeting covered project updates and next steps. Following the discussion, a visit was made to the study site to review the demolished areas.
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Healis Foundation Day Event (1st August 2023)
'The Healis team organized an outdoor Capacity Building event at the Durgaraj Adventure, Nashik to commemorate the 19th anniversary of its foundation. Various capacity building activities were organized for the Healis team members. As we embark on a new year, we are looking forward to working toward our goal of making a difference in Public Health globally.'
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World No Tobacco Day celebration Events (31t May 2023 )
• Healis, in partnership with private companies, hosted a one-day event on May 31, 2023, in the Industrial Mahape area to mark World No Tobacco Day. The event aimed to raise awareness about the adverse effects of tobacco consumption. It featured a range of activities, including the distribution of informative materials such as pamphlets and brochures to tobacco users, as well as the display of posters and standees conveying anti-tobacco messages. Moreover, for individuals interested in quitting tobacco, valuable information about the National Quitline Number was made available.
• Second collaborative event took place in Chembur, Mumbai, where Healis staff partnered with a private coaching center to raise awareness among adolescents. The Healis team created a specially crafted anti-tobacco message video, which was screened for all the students in the coaching class.
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Madhya Pradesh visit for Mobile Grant Project (20th - 25th November 2022)
'In November 2022, Dr. M.S. Pednekar and MS. Priyanka Ghosh from Healis, Mumbai along with Dr. Eve Nagler from Harvard School of Public Health, USA visited the Dhar, Ujjain, and Dewas districts of MP. The purpose of this visit was to conduct KIIs and FGDs with some Principals/Head Masters/Teachers to understand their exposure to mobile-based training and the feasibility and practicability of undertaking our program for 6 months.'
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Patna Press Conference (17th November 2022)
'A Press conference was held on 17th November 2022 in Patna, Bihar to announce the results of the study 'Disseminating an evidence-based tobacco control intervention for School Teachers in India.' The 'Tobacco Free Teachers - Tobacco Free Society - Self Help Guide' was also released on this day.'
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Healis Brochure Release Event (4th November 2022)
'Healis directors Dr. Mangesh Pednekar and Dr. P.C. Gupta in the presence of the team released a new ‘Healis Brochure’ on 4 November 2022. This brochure illustrates the organisation's work since its foundation as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) implementing agency outreach.'
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Diwali Celebration at Healis Office (21st October 2022)
'Diwali, the festival of lights, was celebrated with traditional fervour at Healis office. Members of the Healis team dressed in traditional costumes for the celebration, and they participated in a variety of games and activities that built teamwork.'
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Healis Foundation Day Event (1st August 2022)
'The Healis team organized an outdoor Capacity Building event at the Aayush Resort, Lonavala to commemorate the 18th anniversary of its foundation. As we embark on a new year, we are looking forward to working toward our goal of making a difference in Public Health globally.'
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Press Conference (30th May 2022)
Press Conference was organized on 30th May 2022 at the Mumbai Press Club on ‘Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation (TCP) Project’ findings from a nationally representative survey, India’.
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Kick-off Event (19th April 2022)
A kickoff event was conducted on 19th April 2022 at the Kolhapur worksite. The event was organized to formally announce the initiation of the canteen and behavioral intervention under the Multicomponent Worksite Intervention Study (MWIS).
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Healis – MIT World Peace University, Pune Meeting (25th March 2022)
At the Healis office, the MIT World Peace University, Pune and Healis meeting was held to form a formal collaboration to work on areas of mutual interest. The meeting discussed multiple joint avenues, and both organizations agreed to work collaboratively, which will benefit the public health community at large.
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Holi Festival at Healis Office (17th March 2022)
Holi, the festival of colors, was celebrated with traditional fervour at Healis office.
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Colloquium Session (14th March 2022)
Dr. James Hebert, University of South Carolina Health Sciences Distinguished Professor, spoke at a colloquium on the topic of ‘Dietary Inflammatory Index’ at the Healis office.
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International Women’s Day (8th March 2022)
The Healis office celebrated International Women's Day with yoga sessions and other activities.
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Visit by K. J. Somaiya Institute of Management team (25th Feb 2022)
Management students and faculty from the K. J. Somaiya Institute of Management, Mumbai visited Healis in order to discuss possibilities of collaborating on public health research.
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International Men’s Day Celebration (19 November 2021)
The Healis office celebrated International Men's Day with cake cutting and other activities.
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Diwali Celebration
Diwali, the festival of light, was celebrated with traditional fervour at Healis office.
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Navratri Celebration
This year, Healis Cultural Committee held a photo contest to
reward those who follow the color of Navratri every day in
their attire. From October 7-14, 2021, everyone was asked to
send their selfie for each day to enter in the competition
Dr. Khushbu Sharma won the female
category and
Mr. Vijay Godambe won the male category
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Foundation Day Celebration (2nd August, 2021)
We celebrate ‘Healis Foundation Day’ every year on the first of August by organizing team building activities and other fun activities.
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