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Date : April, 2003
Dr. Joseph Martin addresses the gathering of doctors on his maiden visit to India  Habil & Nafisa Khorakiwala with Mrs. Rachel Martin & the Dean Dr. Joseph Martin. |
Renowned cardiologist Dr. Jamshed Dalal introduced Dr. S Padmavati and reminisced that 30 years ago, when he was an entrant in the field, it was the name of Dr. Padmavati, that stood out among the names of medical stalwarts in cardiology.
Dr. Padmavati expressed her happiness that at a time when research in India was suffering from lack of funds, an association of a magnitude like that of Harvard and Wockhardt, would help the medical community in India to realise its full potential.
Noted neurologist Dr. B S Singhal was called upon to introduce the next recipient, Dr. Noshir Wadia. Calling Dr. Wadia the architect of his career, Dr. Singhal commended his superb clinical skills at a time when there were no CT and MRI scans, and praised his work as a clinical researcher and teacher par excellence.
Dr. Wadia said that he was humbled at receiving the award and at being counted as one of the outstanding physicians of India. He exhorted both the government and private institutions to make health for all an attainable goal in India.
Well-known oncologist Dr. Suresh Advani, introduced Dr. Prafulla Desai as not only an outstanding cancer surgeon but as a great human being and a leader who inspired many to take up oncology as their lifetime calling.
Dr. Desai commended his patients as the greatest educators from whom he had learnt courage. They had helped him evolve as a professional. No other profession combined human values and science in as great a measure as medicine, Dr. Desai reflected.
Dr. G B Parulkar, a known name in cardiac surgery, traced Dr. Gopinath's progress as the pioneer in cardiac surgery in India. Dr. Gopinath's passion for the field was reflected in the long hours of hard work he put in through the years.
Dr. N Gopinath briefly summed up the many developments through the years since the beginning of surgery in India. He was happy that the quality of cardiac surgery in our country compared with the best in the world.
The last recipient to be called to receive the award was the doyen of diabetology, Dr. Sam Moses, who was introduced by noted diabetologist Dr. H P Chandalya, who mentioned how his colleagues and he enjoyed Dr. Moses's conferences, which were always spiced with humour. Dr. Moses's contribution to patient care and medical education had made him an icon in this field.
True to his reputation as a popular and witty speaker, Dr. Moses in a few minutes of his address produced a number of laughs and cheers from the audience as he narrated his association with endocrinology. He was pleased that diabetes as a single disease speciality had received due emphasis in his lifetime.
As part of the finale of the award presentation, the Dean Dr. Joseph Martin, in his much-awaited address, shared how during the two weeks of his visit to India, he had come to experience the extraordinary commitment our country had to medicine, from teaching to clinical work and research. He commended our Chairman for his leadership in creating the awards to signify distinction and excellence.
Ably co-ordinated by Ramchandra Rao, Head - Human Resources (Wockhardt Hospitals) and organised by an event management company, the show had all the ingredients of tribute, celebration, fellowship and entertainment. It concluded with a mesmerising performance by the 'Dream Girl' of Bollywood - actress Hema Malini, and her dance troupe who performed an Indian ballet. This mythological ballet revolving around the love of Lord Krishna and Radha captivated our guests for almost an hour. As fireworks lit up the night sky, a sumptuous dinner mixed with stimulating conversation concluded the event.
It was truly a memorable evening for our doctor community, Harvard and Wockhardt.
Dr. Joseph Boyd Martin Dean, Harvard Medical School, USA Chairman, Harvard Medical International, USA
Joseph Boyd Martin, MD, PhD, has headed Harvard Medical School (HMS) as Dean since 1997. HMS is one of the world's preeminent institutions in medical education and research wit! nearly 8,000 faculty and 17 affiliated facilities.
An acclaimed neurologist, Dr. Martin': association with HMS goes back to 1978, when he joined its faculty in Boston as the Bullard Professor of Neurology and Chief of the Neurology services at Massachusetts General Hospital. He was appointed as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of California, San Francisco, in 1985 and ultimately became Chancellor of the university. Dr. Martin is the author or co-author of more than 300 scientific articles and reviews, and is a former editor of Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine a widely used medical textbook.
Dr. Martin is also Chairman of the Board of Directors of Harvard Medical International (HMI). A non-profit subsidiary of Harvard University, HMI ha been involved in over 40 healthcare project spanning 18 countries.
This was the Dean's first visit to India. Dr. Marti, and his wife Rachel enjoyed some of India' kaleidoscopic sights. The tour also gave the Dean, deeper insight into the Indian healthcare scenario. "India is a country of great contrasts. This has bee, an extremely fascinating and personally gratifying adventure", Dr. Martin said.
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