K.R. Das, M.D. A Tribute

On November 4, 2002, SWMC lost one of its most compassionate physicians. K.R. Das, "Dr. Das" to many, died at Galichia Heart hospital in Wichita. Funeral service was held November 6th at First Presbyterian Church. Dr. Das was 57 years old.

Born in Mysore, India, Dr. Das grew up in an agricultural family. His father was the mayor of Krishnarajanagara, India.

Dr. Das first came to the United States on a scholarship and attended the University of Michigan. He earned degrees in Medicine, and Master's degrees in Phychiatry and Public Health. Dr. Das was a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, a member of the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology, the American Medical Association, Kansas State Medical Association and many other professional organizations. Dr. Das never lost a desire to learn, attending numerous classes and conferences.

Teaching was a passion for Dr. Das. He was a clinical assistant professor at the University of Kansas School of Medicine at Wichita. He never missed an opportunity to give impromptu lessons on patient behaviors, diagnosis and treatment. The Transitions unit greatly benefited from Dr. Das' love of teaching staff and treating patients. He also taught many lessons through the telling of parables. His favorite parable is included in this issue of the Pulse - see page 4.

Dr. Das was an accomplished scholar of Sanskrit, Hindi and Kannada and had publications in many professional journals. His hobbies included travel, reading, poetry composition, pursuing spirituality and understanding human behavior. The Transitions unit was a direct result of Dr. Das' desire to help fill a need for acute behavioral health care in Southwest Kansas. Key in the approval and design of the Transitions unit, Dr. Das was the founding Medical Director, a position he held since the unit opened in 1996. Treating inpatients with compassion and understanding was Dr. Das' trademark.

SWMC is not the only institution to suffer the loss of Dr. Das. His charity work was far reaching. He funded the building of Universities in Hosadurga and Mysore, India, and quietly supported charities in areas of healthcare and family shelters. Dr. Das also saw patients at Southwest Guidance Center, and had a large outpatient practice.

The entire staff in the Transitions unit as well as his outpatient clients will miss Dr. Das' presence, gentle demeanor, patience and compassion mixed with a wonderful sense of humor and the occasional pizza party after a busy day.

His wife, Rhadha, daughter Chethana, two brothers and a sister survive Dr. Das. His parents preceded him in death.

To remember Dr. Das' love of learning, memorials are suggested to the Liberal Memorial Library.