Dr. Bharat H. Shah (19-11-1933 to 14-5-2025)

Dr. B.H. Shah joined B.J. Medical College & Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad, in 1966 as Professor and Head, and dedicatedly served until 1991. His qualifications were M.D. (Medicine) and MD Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy (Mumbai), and Dr. Sharad Desai was his postgraduate mentor. Notably, Dr. Shah completed a fellowship in Dermatopathology in the United States at a time when the field was not widely pursued among dermatologists. Over a period exceeding 25 years, he contributed his expertise to several hospitals, such as Jivraj Mehta Hospital and a leprosy hospital. Dr. Shah was recognised for his self-discipline, integrity, and honesty. Under his guidance, 82 postgraduate students received training and went on to distinguish themselves in various fields. His extensive knowledge spanned dermatology, leprosy, venereology, and dermatopathology. Faculty and students accompanied him to the pathology department for clinicopathological conference (CPC) sessions every fortnight.

He regularly purchased the latest textbooks, including those on advances in dermatology, at his own expense to ensure that everyone in the department could benefit from global developments in the field. He also had an extensive list of professional achievements.

He contributed a chapter on connective tissue diseases to the first edition of the IADVL Textbook of Dermatology. He served as an examiner at several universities and was the scientific chairperson of DERMACON in 1996. He participated in research activities, including clinical trials, with industry-sponsored trial funds used for departmental upgrades. He was known for being concise and knowledgeable and was approachable to postgraduate students. He remained independent from political or bureaucratic influence and did not visit for ministerial consultations. Instead, he preferred seeing all patients in the general outpatient department. He maintained professional boundaries and refrained from involvement with those engaged in unethical practices. He was recognised as an astute clinician and teacher par excellence. He continued to teach postgraduates at B.J. Medical College for 10 years post-retirement. He valued family life and hosted departmental dinners annually. He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter. His passing is considered a significant loss to the dermatology fraternity.

May God bless his soul!

Dr. Ranjan Raval and Dr. Bela Shah