Journey from India to Renowned Cardiologist in the U.S.
Dr Hamid Abdul Hai, a cardiologist of Indian origin, is renowned for medical excellence, community service, and fostering interfaith harmony. Popular, not only in India, but also highly admired and approved in the United States of America. He is also known for his active involvement in the community affairs and promoting brotherhood among the different religious sectors of the multicultural society.
Dr Hamid was born in a family who praised hard work and deeply valued studies (both worldly and religious education). Ever since his childhood, his father Dr Mohamed Abdul Hai inculcated fervour to gain the knowledge of Islam and made him a man of letters. The senior Hai sometimes even called Hamid “Maulana”, a term used to address a religious intellectual.
He was deeply interested in physics and chemistry in his youth. However, he decided to pursue his career as a doctor following his father’s footsteps. His father once told him “As a doctor you can help not only the people in your community but also all your relatives and friends”.
Illustrious Career and Recognition
Dr Mohammed Abdul Hai (father of Dr Hamid) comes from a distinguished family of educationists. He was a renowned physician (F.R.C.P., Edinburgh, T.D.D. Wales), Emeritus Professor of Medicine, Prince of Wales Medical College, Patna (today this college is popularly known as PMCH). He was the personal physician for the president of India. His distinguished achievements were recognised by the government and he was honoured with the Padma Bhushan.
A Doctor who spent nine years in jail but never gave up his Medical Practice
After completing his higher secondary education form Patna, Bihar, India, he got admitted to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) and successfully earned his medical and post-graduation degree. Later he made his decision to travel to US for further education.
He moved on and received multiple fellowships and memberships which are as follows – Fellowship from American College of Cardiology, Membership at Order of William Harvey American College of Cardiology, Fellowship of American College of Chest Physicians, Fellowship from American College of Nutrition, Membership of American Medical Association, Membership of American College of Physicians, Membership of Society of Internal medicine. These are just to name a few. The list of his achievements goes on and on.
Dr. Bernard Lown and Dr. Hamid Abdul Hai’s Contributions to Heart Health
Bernard Lown was an American cardiologist and inventor. He developed the direct current defibrillator for cardiac resuscitation and the cardioverter for correcting rapid disordered heart rhythms. He was born on June 7, 1921 and died on February 16, 2021 at the age of 99 (just 10 days before Dr Hamid’s death).
In 2013, Dr Hamid successfully developed the New Cardiology Department at Sandoval Regional medical centre of University of New Mexico in Albuquerque in the United States. He continued serving the community by providing medical treatment, teaching and research in the field of cardiology.
Dr Hamid once said that he was inspired by his elder brother, Dr Ahmad Abdul Hai. Currently Dr Ahmad Abdul Hai is a well known and a reputed surgeon in Bihar, India.
Dr Hamid continued preaching Islam at the same time and continues building bridges of opportunities for maintaining interfaith harmony and promoting understanding, cooperation and maintaining good relations among the person of different faith. He passed away at the age of 77 in Chicago on February 25, 2021
