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Obituary!
Remembering a Teacher, Friend and Colleague!
Though Dr Devakumar did not graduate from Stanley, he has served the Anaesthesia department of Stanley Medical College for several years and has been responsible for many outstanding Anaesthetists being formed and going out of Stanley Medical College!
Dear Friends
It is with a heavy heart that we pay our respects to Dr K Devakumar, M.D, D.A, Professor of Anaesthesiology, Stanley Medical College, who died in harness on 5 th November 2004
Dr Devakumar was born on 13 th August.1949. His collegiate education was completed at Madras
He then underwent his MBBS and duly completed in 1972 from Chengalpattu Medical College, Chengalpattu, in Tamil Nadu.
He always wanted to be an Anaesthesiologist and completed his D.A. (Diploma
in Anaesthesiology) in October – 1978 from Madurai Medical College, Madurai.
He then went further and completed his M.D. (Anaesthesiology) in April 1981, from Madurai Medical College, Madurai.
To the great good fortune of all of us, at Stanley Medical College, Chennai, Dr Devakumar came to us as Assistant Professor in Anaesthesiology and was with us from May 1981
He fully deserved his promotion to Lecturer in Anaesthesiology in February 1998 and continued to benefit the Anaesthesia department at Stanley Medical College till December 1999.
In between he worked as Consultant Anaesthesiologist at Al Rass General Hospital, Ministry of Health, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from April 1988 – March 1991.
His continued service to the profession was duly recognised and he was appointed as Professor in Anaesthesiology, to Madras Medical College & Govt. Kasturba Gandhi Hospital for Women and Children, Chennai and was there from December 1999 to January 2001
Having grown very fond of Stanley Medical College, he returned as Professor in Anaesthesiology, in January 2001 and continued there till his untimely and sudden demise.
Dr Devakumar was a keen teacher, known for his scientific and meticulous approach to patient care. He was unparalleled in his commitment and dedication to patient care.
He was tireless in his quest for knowledge and his energy often exceeded others far younger in age. He was extremely knowledgeable and was constantly updating his knowledge. It was therefore, small wonder that he became an Examiner in Anaesthesiology and it was in the process of discharging this prestigious and noble duty that he suddenly collapsed and was brought back to Chennai, where after a struggle, he finally succumbed.
He will always be remembered for his dedication to patient care and safety and for his teaching. His unfailing zeal for teaching and training will be remembered by all of us, who have benefited immensely.
He was part of the original Intensive Care Team formed by the illustrious Giant and Pioneer of Intensive Care (probably one of the first in India), Professor T. Sreenivasan.
This team, of which Dr Devakumar was an integral part, was often called to look after VIP s in other institutions and often spent the night on a couch, looking after those important persons. Even in a leading institution like Madras Medical College, this team has looked after important patients on ventilators.
That it the extent to which (and much more) that Dr Devakumar has contributed to the profession.
He has organised, chaired, and actively participated at numerous meetings and he has been PRESIDENT of the International Trauma Anaesthesia Critical Care Society (Indian Chapter) till he passed away.
He was a Life Member of: Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists
Indian Medical Association
Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine
International Trauma Anaesthesia and Critical Care Society (Indian Chapter)
He has presented innumerable papers and delivered many lectures and presentations to the immeasurable benefit of students, trainees and colleagues
Dr Devakumar is survived by his wife Shobha ( Dhanalakshmi) and his daughters Nandini and Hemika, who is working as a Doctor in the UK
Dr Devakumar lives on in his students and in our memories and in our hearts. May his soul rest in peace, with the satisfaction that his contribution to the profession is immortal!
