Obituary on Dr Sushil Kumar Singh

Dr. Sushil Kumar Singh (24.02.1957-18.02.2024)

February 18, 2024, was an unfortunate day for physiologists and all medical educators in India. We lost a precious personality of physiology, a dedicated teacher and mentor, Dr Sushil Kumar Singh, who breathed his last on that day. He is survived by his beloved wife, Dr Anita Singh, who is an accomplished Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, and his son, Dr Shantanu Singh, who is a budding healthcare professional.

With tearful eyes, we bid farewell to Dr S. K. Singh. He will be remembered as a dedicated and sincere faculty member in Physiology who pioneered mentorship for medical students in India. His students were always his priority, and their welfare and happiness were paramount to him. Dr Singh’s life was dedicated to fostering a strong teacher-student relationship, promoting a cordial bond to enhance teaching and learning activities. He is credited with pioneering the All India Physiology Quiz in medical colleges.

Beyond his expertise in Physiology, especially the central nervous system, he had a passion for reading and collecting self-help books from worldwide. Known for his empathetic support, he often gifted books to distressed students. He also took the time to write personalised blessing notes for students on their birthdays, showcasing his exquisite handwriting and heartfelt wishes. Dr Singh’s legacy as a compassionate mentor and visionary educator will continue to inspire future generations.

His distinguished career began in 1975 when he enrolled at the prestigious King George Medical College in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, as an MBBS student. Dr S. K. Singh completed his post-graduation (MD) in Physiology from the same institute in 1989. Throughout his illustrious career, he served as a dedicated faculty member, advancing from Assistant Professor to Professor and Head of the Department of Physiology at Pramukhswami Medical College, Karamsad. His commitment to Physiology was further demonstrated by his role as a visiting faculty member at several institutions, including the N. D. Desai Faculty of Medical Science and Research Centre in Nadiad. Following his retirement, he continued to contribute to the field as a visiting professor emeritus at Smt. B. K. Shah Medical Institute and Research Centre in Vadodara.

To honour his significant contributions to the field, the ‘Dr S. K. Singh Award’ is presented to the top MBBS Physiology student at KGMU. In 2009, he received the Prof. K.P. Puthuraya Award for Best Teacher in Physiology from the Association of Physiologists and Pharmacologists in India. Dr Singh is credited with conceptualising and initiating the special dedicated session for 1^st-year MBBS students at APPICON, now named the ‘Dr S. K. Singh Young Investigator Program for Undergraduate Students,’ which began at the 64^th APPICON in 2018 at KMC, Manipal. This initiative highlights his unwavering dedication to the professional development of students. Despite numerous accolades, Dr S. K. Singh remained a man of few words but immense compassion and humanity, embodying wisdom and nobility for every student.

As an epitome of professionalism, Dr S. K. Singh was instrumental in encouraging junior faculty members to pursue their PhDs and master’s degrees. He played a key role in developing medical education units, publishing high-quality papers and medical magazines, and organising international, national and local conferences. His generosity towards underprivileged students ensured that everyone who interacted with him benefited from his wisdom and care. His pure love for teaching and his honour for humanity were evident in everything he did.

Dr S. K. Singh’s gentle smile, encouraging words, and warmth will always be remembered by his students, colleagues, and the entire healthcare community. His invaluable teachings and love will continue to resonate in the hearts of every student. Rest in peace, Sir. You will always be in the hearts of all.