Renowned Physician Prof JS Guleria Passes Away, Leaving Enduring Medical Legacy
New Delhi: The medical community mourns the passing of Prof Jagdev Singh Guleria, one of India's most esteemed physicians and a monumental figure in clinical medicine, who died on January 22. His departure marks the conclusion of an era characterized by exceptional diagnostic skill, unwavering ethical standards, and profound human compassion.
A Pillar of Medical Excellence at AIIMS
As a former dean and professor at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Prof Guleria represented a generation of practitioners who believed medicine commenced not with laboratory tests, but with attentive listening to patients. Awarded the prestigious Padma Shri in 2003, he was often described as a "doctor's doctor"—the trusted consultant colleagues sought when confronting intricate medical cases requiring weighty decisions.
His influence radiated far beyond the corridors of AIIMS, fundamentally shaping medical practice and training methodologies throughout the nation. Prof Nikhil Tandon, head of endocrinology at AIIMS, reflected, "He was an incomparable clinician—astute, sharp and remarkably reliable. He led by example. Simply observing him examine a patient demonstrated how medicine should be authentically practised."
Holistic Approach in an Age of Specialization
Despite training as a general physician with specialized expertise in cardiology, Prof Guleria consciously resisted the trend toward excessive specialization. Colleagues consistently noted his unique ability to treat patients as complete individuals, guided equally by clinical insight and genuine empathy.
"Contemporary doctors often see isolated organs. He saw whole people," remarked Dr Rajeev Kumar, professor of urology at AIIMS. "He possessed the remarkable skill to diagnose conditions with minimal investigative procedures, relying instead on profound clinical acumen."
This empathetic approach manifested most visibly at the patient's bedside. A former patient's spouse shared a poignant memory from her final trimester of pregnancy, when Prof Guleria diagnosed her husband with advanced spinal tuberculosis. "He delivered the difficult news with exceptional gentleness," she recalled. "He reassured me, 'If I cannot help, God can. Maintain your faith.' Those words functioned like a miraculous balm during our distress." She remembered how he consistently maintained positivity, frequently employing humor as a therapeutic tool during challenging moments.
Mentorship That Shaped Generations of Doctors
Prof Tandon described his teaching methodology as transformative mentorship rather than conventional instruction. During ward rounds, Prof Guleria would pose one defining question to residents: "Did you execute every possible action—and beyond—for this patient's benefit?" If uncertainty lingered, he would send them back for reassessment, while correcting errors discreetly in private.
"He balanced forgiveness with exacting standards," colleagues recounted. "If you demonstrated sincerity, he became your unwavering supporter." As chair of the AIIMS ethics committee, his primary concern remained absolute: Could any action potentially harm the patient? Only after securing this fundamental assurance would he consider subsequent steps.
Diagnostic Mastery and Enduring Principles
Dr Navin Dang, founder of Dr Dang's Lab, shared how his family placed complete trust exclusively in Prof Guleria. "My father would transport me across the city by bus solely for his consultation," Dr Dang noted. "He never prescribed unnecessary tests. His hands, through meticulous examination, established the diagnosis."
Even during his later years, Prof Guleria maintained rigorous engagement with medical literature, consistently encouraging younger physicians to nurture intellectual curiosity. "Medicine represents an endless journey," he frequently emphasized. "Never hesitate to acknowledge, 'I do not know.'"
A Legacy That Transcends Generations
Colleagues affirm that his most significant legacy extends beyond the countless patients he treated to encompass the multiple generations of doctors he trained, many now leading medical institutions nationwide. This tradition continues through his two sons, both practicing physicians.
In an era increasingly dominated by technological protocols, Prof JS Guleria championed something timeless: medicine as a moral practice, firmly rooted in clinical judgment, professional humility, and compassionate care. His passing leaves not merely memories, but an enduring standard for the medical community to uphold.
