Dr Joseph leaves behind a surgical legacy

Former director of the Christian Medical College Hospital, Dr L B M Joseph (86) passed away on Wednesday here, leaving behind a legacy of surgical skills, which he was well known for. He is survived by two daughters and two sons.

Joseph, after completing MBBS from Madras Medical College in 1950, joined CMCH as casualty medical officer, in 1953. He subsequently joined MS (surgery) at CMC and obtained his degree in 1959. He later joined as lecturer in the surgery department and soon became head of the department. He was promoted as the director of CMC in 1974, a post which he held for almost 13 years before retiring.

He had also worked as the director of CMC at Ludhiana, in Punjab, for a brief period.

His administrative skills became apparent during his stint as director of CMC. He always stood for honesty and integrity by providing leadership with dedication and commitment.

Dr Joseph’s surgical skills and sensitive concern for patients were well known and widely appreciated.

He developed special interest in the treatment of patients with malignancies, oral surgery and chemotherapy. He was also a talented teacher and a respected examiner. He was the recipient of the Norman Fellowship and worked under Sir Edward Dunlop and Hughes at the Royal Melbourne Hospital for a brief period.

His son-in-law Dr Selvakumar, who heads the biochemistry department in CMC hospital, said a funeral service for Joseph would be held at the hospital chapel, on Saturday at 12 noon.