It is with great regret we write the sad demise of our colleague and friend in the National Academy of Medical Sciences (India) who left us on May 15, 2021.
Dr. K.K. Sharma was born on April 16, 1945 at Dibai, District Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, in a simple and religious family. After obtaining his MBBS (1968) and MD (Pharmacology, 1971) from Agra University, he joined as Assistant Professor in M.L.B. Medical College, Jhansi (1972–1975). Later, he shifted to University College of Medical Sciences and GTB Hospital as teaching faculty and was superannuated as Professor and Head in the Department of Pharmacology in 2010 (1976–2010). He was a great administrator and highly successful Principal at UCMS, New Delhi, until 2007.
After superannuation, he joined as Professor of Pharmacology and Dean in the School of Allied Health Sciences, Sharda University, Greater Noida (2011–2015) and was later on honored as Professor-Emeritus.
Formerly, he worked with Al-Fateh University, Tripoli, Libya, BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal and Visiting Professor of Pharmacology in several Medical Schools in United Kingdom, Europe, and Russia, where he taught clinical problem-based pharmacology.
Dr. Sharma has been a Member of Expert Advisory Committee to frame syllabus and curriculum for UG and PG courses in Pharmacology for various Universities, BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, and Medical Council of India.
Dr. Sharma published over 200 scientific papers both in national and international journals in the fields of neuropsychopharmacology, clinical pharmacology, cardiovascular pharmacology, and medical education. He also served as a Member of the Expert Committees and Advisory Panels of UGC, ICMR, CSIR, DST, DBT, UPSC, several ministries of Govt. of India and NCR-Delhi.
The list of awards, honors, and distinctions received by him is long. Some of the important ones are listed here:
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International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology Travel Fellowship Award (1984),
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Indo-USSR Cooperation in Medical Sciences Research Award (1988),
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Indo-USSR Travel Fellowship (1990),
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Distinguished Teacher Award from UCMS Alumni Association (1994),
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Fellowship of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (India) (1999),
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Fellowship of the Indian Pharmacological Society (2004),
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Sir Shriram Memorial Oration Award, National Academy of Medical Sciences (India) (2004–2005),
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Dr. Govind Achari Oration Award, Indian Pharmacological Society (2005–2006),
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Dr. Y.K. Gupta Oration Award, K.G. Medical University (2011–2012).
He served the Academy as the Council Member, Chairman of the Academic Activities, and CME Co-ordinator and the Editor of the Annals of National Academy of Medical Sciences (India).
Since I (D.K.G.) joined the Academy on March 26, 2021, I was amazed at his knowledge about the Rules and Regulations of the Academy, deep interest and commitment as an active Council Member. He was a staunch Hanuman Bhakt. He stood fearlessly for the cause of Academy what he thought was right.
He was extremely meticulous and deeply committed as the Editor of the Annals of National Academy of Medical Sciences (India). He was an asset to the Academy who took keen interest in day-to-day affairs as a humble servant. He supervised the repair and renovation work with a personal touch. I learnt a lot from him during this short association of 3 weeks.
Unfortunately, Dr. Sharma was not keeping well for the last 3 weeks since he got vaccinated and required hospitalization. He remained in Intensive Care Unit for the last 15 days at GTB Hospital and was reported to be recovering well, but for the sudden, and blow and he left us on the morning of May 15, 2021.
In his passing away, the medical fraternity and the Academy have lost a great visionary, teacher, researcher, administrator, and above all a great human being. He treated the Academy staff as his own family. It will be difficult to fill the void.
