Dr K B Grant, founder and chairman of the Grant Medical Foundation that runs Ruby Hall Clinic in the city, passed away here on Monday. He was 91.
Credited as being the man who brought in some of the latest medical technologies to the city, Dr Grant also set up the cardiological unit at the B J Medical College and Sassoon hospital several decades ago.
Dr Grant was admitted to the intensive care unit of Ruby Hall Clinic two days back following health complications. He is survived by his son, Parvez Grant, also a well-known cardiologist, and daughter Zareen. He will be laid to rest next to his wife’s grave at the Parsi cemetery at Koregaon Park at 9 am on Tuesday. A prayer service will be held at the Ruby Hall Clinic an hour before that.
Speaking to TOI, son Parvez said, "He was a great father, a kind man and an achiever. He taught us many things. He lived a long and great life."
Dr Grant studied at St Vincent’s high school in Pune Camp and completed his medical studies at the Grant Medical College and J J Hospital in Mumbai. He later went to Boston where he learnt the latest in diagnostic and therapeutic cardiology at that time under Paul D White, the father of modern cardiology.
Dr Grant started Ruby Hall Clinic in 1959 with four beds. The hospital presently has 550 beds. He was then appointed honorary professor of medicine and cardiology at the B J College and Sassoon Hospital. Many of his students are now top medical practitioners.
"Dr Grant was instrumental in bringing the latest technologies to Pune — cobalt therapy for cancer radiation, angiography, angioplasty, CT Scan, MRI scan bypass surgery and the latest — the linear accelerator with Image Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT) — the first in the whole of southeast Asia," said Bomi Bhote, CEO of Ruby Hall Clinic.
Dr Grant was also involved in research, with several of his papers having been published in leading medical journals. He was also awarded the fellowship of the American College of Chest Physicians and made founder fellow of the Indian College of Physicians. Many institutions in the city, including the University of Pune, have honoured him in the past for achievements and his role in making Pune a recognised centre for medical care.
The late doctor’s love for the outdoors was well-known among Puneites. He would be seen regularly walking from the hospital to his home at Lullanagar and also playing the occasional round of golf. He was a stickler for discipline and believed in frugality and maintaining a strict diet.