Dr. Sudhir S. Bhalerao who is a well-known oral pathologist is the best illustration of this quotation. He is amongst the well-known personality amongst the dental fraternity and the best faculty in the oral pathology specialty. He was born on 25 February 1957, and through his wisdom, dedication and perseverance, he has reached the most prestigious positions in his life. He is the perfect example of punctuality, teaching modality, performance and well-wishers a that student acclaims in all paradigms of his life. His teaching experience of three decades and services rendered to the branch of oral pathology has earned a reputed mark in this journal.
Sir completed his bachelor's degree from Government Dental College and Hospital, Mumbai, in April 1989. After completing his bachelor's degree, he moved to PNMN Dental College, Bagalkot, Karnataka, for a clinical assistantship under the guidance of Dr. S.S. Wadkar and then joined as junior lecturer at the same institute till 1992. He pursued his master's degree in oral pathology and microbiology from KLE Dental College and Hospital, Belgaum, under the able guidance of legend Late Dr. H.M. Dholakia Sir and successfully completed it in August 1995.
He began his journey in academics as an assistant professor in the Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology at KLE Institute of Dental Sciences, Belgaum. His passion, enthusiasm, hard work, dedication and determination got him promoted to an associate professor of the Oral Pathology and Microbiology Department from January 1999 to October 2004. His achievements during his tenure were highly appreciated and acknowledged, which promoted him to become professor and incharge of the Department of Oral Pathology from November 2004 to June 2006 at KLE Institute of Dental Sciences, Bangalore. Later on, for more than a decade, Sir served as a professor and postgraduate guide at Padmashree D.Y. Patil School of Dentistry, Nerul, Navi Mumbai, from July 2006 to April 2016. His passionate nature for the subject did not stop after retirement and achieved loads of success thereafter as he took over as professor and head at Malla Reddy Dental College for Women, Hyderabad. His administrative and management skills led him to take over as dean, professor and head of the Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology at Purvanchal Institute of Dental Sciences (PIDS), Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, and Aditya Dental College and Hospital, Beed, Maharashtra. He selflessly rendered services for the needy during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic situation in rural areas such as Beed, Maharashtra, along with his team at Aditya Dental College and Hospital, Beed, Maharashtra.
As an eminent oral pathologist, his excellence attributes, caring and visionary and motivational behaviour made him famous amongst the dental fraternity. As many as 50 postgraduates have been highly privileged to pursue studies under his guidance and mentorship, and many of them following his footprints hold important positions at various colleges/departments/professional bodies across the world. Gold medallist Dr. Ranit Chhabra at Padmashree D.Y. Patil School of Dentistry is an example of par excellence teaching and training provided by him.
He undertook various oral screening and treatment camps in Belgaum, Navi Mumbai, Andhra Pradesh, and Gorakhpur, with a prime focus on oral cancer awareness. Sir has been an examiner for 30 universities all over India. He holds life membership of Indian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathologists; ex-member of Board of Studies (undergraduate and postgraduate); ex-chairman of Library Committee, PhD guide for Padmashree D.Y. Patil University School of Dentistry, Nerul, Navi Mumbai; ex-member Maharashtra State Dental Council, Mumbai; and ex-Member of Uttar Pradesh State Dental Council, Lucknow.
During his academic career, he has been invited as detective chief inspector (DCI) for starting and recognising master of dental surgery (MDS) courses in oral pathology, microbiology and forensic odontology at 11 dental Colleges. He has played a major role as an external examiner and chaired scientific sessions at various state and national conferences. He has more than 50 publications in various national and international journals (available in Research Gate, Docplexus and Curphy).
His everlasting impression has set a permanent benchmark for others in the field of oral pathology. He would like to extend his expression of thankfulness to my parents, family and friends, Shri. Chantimath, Chairman, PNMN Dental College and Hospital, Bagalkot, Karnataka, and his mentor Shri. P.B. Kore, Chairman, KLE Society, Belgavi; Dr. Sadanwar; Late Dr. S. V. Bhagwat, Dean, KLE Institute Belgavi; Dr. Mrs. Alka Kale and Dr. Ramakant Naik, KLE Institute of Dental Sciences, Belgavi; Dr. Vijay Patil, Chancellor, Padmashree D.Y. Patil University, Navi Mumbai; Dr. Pritee, Mala Reddy Dental College for Women, Hyderabad; Dr. Rajeev Gulati, Vice-Chairman, PIDS, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh; and Dr. Aditya Sarda, Chairman, Aditya Dental College and Hospital, Beed, Maharashtra. He specially thanks the editorial team of the journal for considering his achievements and supporting him.
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Conflicts of interest
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