Dr. B.J. Subhedar, the sole surviving member from the inaugural 1947 MBBS batch at GMCH, passed away at the age of 96 on Sunday. Known for his dedication, Dr. Subhedar continued serving patients in the OPD at his Panchsheel Square clinic almost until his final days. He was honoured by President Draupadi Murmu last year during GMCH’s 75th anniversary event.
Dr. B.J. Subhedar had also been part of the 25th and 50th anniversary celebrations of his alma mater, GMCH. “I’m not retiring anytime soon. I will continue to practice as long as I can hear, see, and remember properly,” the nonagenarian had told the local media daily last year. His passing left the medical fraternity and his patients deeply saddened, with condolences coming in from many. Former students, now respected doctors themselves, remembered him fondly as a reliable mentor and adviser for their medical questions.
Dr. Prashant Joshi, Executive Director of AIIMS Nagpur, described Dr. Subhedar as a “legend of medicine.” He added, “He was a great teacher of teachers, a towering personality, a loving fatherly figure to me, and a humble, remarkable human being. May his soul rest in eternal peace.” GMCH Dean Dr. Raj Gajbhiye expressed deep sorrow at Dr. Subhedar’s passing, saying, “It is very sad for all of us to learn that Dr. Subhedar is no longer with us. He was a godfather to us. It was a great privilege to have honored him during the platinum jubilee celebration. He will continue to guide us.” GMCH Medical Superintendent Dr. Avinash Gawande remembered Dr. Subhedar as a highly intellectual and versatile teacher.
“He was down-to-earth and continued to treat patients until his last breath. He was also a skilled administrator,” said Dr. Avinash Gawande. Dr. Archana Deshpande, former Professor and Head of Pathology at GMCH, described Dr. Subhedar as the “final word in medicine.” “He was the oldest practicing physician in the city, always staying updated with the latest research and developments, even in his 90s. If no one could find a solution in general medicine, people would say, ‘Go to Dr. Subhedar.’ He taught my mother, husband, and countless teachers across generations. He truly lived a full life,” she remarked.