 Prof. Bellamkonda K. Kishore, M.D., Ph.D., MBA, FSB, FASN
An Altruist with a Social Conscience
By Mahadev Desai
Soft-spoken, unassuming and multi-faceted Prof. Kishore has an
enviable track-record of academic qualifications, professional
achievement, and social conscience. He leads an internationally
recognized kidney research laboratory at the University of Utah
Health Sciences and VA Medical Centers in Salt Lake City, Utah,
one of the most picturesque states of the continental USA. Every
morning from the porch of his home in Sandy, he watches a
breathtaking view of the Oquirrh Mountains and the exquisite
landscape and sky. He thanks the Almighty for blessing him with
a challenging profession and a beautiful place to live, in
addition to two smart children, Satya (daughter, 21 yrs.) and
Dharma (son, 19 yrs.) and a loving wife Ratna (an MBA in
Accounting and an IRS Certified Master Tax Advisor).
 |
|
A Scenic View from Prof. Kishore’s
Home |
That is what we know of Dr. Kishore today. But he has walked
through an arduous journey to scale these great mountains –
personal and professional. After graduating from the Kurnool
Medical College in India in 1975, and prompted by an inner
voice, Dr. Kishore chose a path, which was considered not a
prudent one for medical doctors in those days. However, he
followed his inner voice and became a full-time basic medical
researcher in the kidney, giving up clinical practice. He
single-mindedly and passionately pursued his inner voice over
three decades while working in India, Japan, Belgium and the
USA. His research on the kidney has earned him international
recognition, patents, and citations in more than 90 books,
European Biographical Directory and Marquis Who’s Who in
Medicine and Healthcare (USA). Because of his standing in his
field he was inducted as a Fellow of the Society of Biology
(FSB), UK and a Fellow of the American Society of Nephrology (FASN),
USA. Please see the links below for more details of his
professional achievements.
Dr. Kishore feels his research-driven life is a spiritual
journey. He considers that while success in profession has its
own worldly meaning and benefits, it should not be the summum
bonum of our lives. “Human life is too precious to be measured
by the yardstick of worldly gains in one’s profession – be it
wealth, name, fame or power. The real meaning and purpose of our
lives consist in how we elevate our professions to a higher
level, much above their mundane utility for us or our families.
No profession per se makes us noble. Instead, we should strive
to make our professions noble” he says. Then he narrates his
scientific philosophy based on the wisdom of Prof. Christian de
Duve, Nobel Laureate in Medicine and Physiology (1975): “God has
given us a wonderful body, a machine to achieve what we want in
our lives on earth. But God did not provide a user manual to
show us how our bodies operate and thus help us to fix them when
we become sick – similar to a car mechanic who fixes broken cars
using the manuals published by the car manufacturers. But
doctors who run the diagnostics and treat human bodies also need
such manuals called medical books. So, someone has to dedicate
his/her life to painstakingly decipher the mechanics of the
human bodies, and prepare the manuals as accurately as possible
for use by the doctors.” Dr. Kishore firmly believes that the
beauty and real purpose of his medical research lies within the
context of cosmic play - unraveling the mysteries of the nature
for the benefit of humanity. For him this aspect of his
profession is far superior to his worldly success and
recognition, which he considers as byproducts.
In his personal life Dr. Kishore is spiritual, philosophical and
compassionate, leading a simple contented life. He reads
scriptures and books of higher knowledge and contemplates to
digest the wisdom therein. He spends his limited free time in
philanthropy, community service and promoting cultural and
alumni affairs. He is a Member of the Board of Directors of the
Kurnool Medical College-Alumni of North America (KMC-ANA), Vice
President of the Andhra Pradesh Physicians and Professionals of
North America (APNA) Foundation, and has been a founding member
and Trustee of the Telugu Association of Utah. Dr. Kishore is
known for his proactive work in these organizations.
Many-faceted Dr. Kishore also enjoys driving to the National
Parks and other places of interest with his family. He has a few
other hobbies which he has cherished all along. He is a born
artist, but sadly due to his busy professional and social
activities he has not been able to indulge in art since 1990s.
He, however, plans to revive his artistic skills after
retirement. And more, he is a freelance writer – in both prose
and poetry - and an innate lover of devotional songs. So, when
time allows, he composes uplifting essays and poems, and leads
Bhajan songs.
Dr. Kishore is committed in giving back to the community and
helping the less fortunate and neglected members of the
community. And his purposeful life-journey continues with his
unshaken belief in and blessings of the Almighty.
Links to Dr. Kishore’s professional profile:
http://www.humis.utah.edu/index.php?module=facultyDetails&personId=8300&orgId=378
http://faculty.utah.edu/u0276355-BELLAMKONDA_K_KISHORE,_M.D.,_PhD.,_MBA/biography/index.hml
|
|
In the land of the bold Bald Eagle
The beacon of freedom and equality for the world
The benchmark of values and rights for the humanity
The fountainhead of opportunities for the aspiring
The secure abode for the oppressed and persecuted
Dr. Sujatha, you lit the lamp of SAI Health Fairs
With Selflessness, Awareness and Integrity as core values
And spread the light of loving and compassionate service
Among the communities around you and beyond
Which brought laurels from all quarters
Yet, you remained humble and dedicated
Just like the legendary Nightingale did long ago
By kindly and boldly taking your mission to the needy
You broke all the barriers that were standing between you and
them
Thus, you changed the way the white coat is perceived by them
And with your loving and compassionate service
You made the gratitude in the eyes of those you served
Sparkle brighter than your pure white coat
Thus, you illustrated that it is not the white coat
But the compassionate heart of the person wearing it
Which really makes your profession Noble
And your actions echoed the words of Hippocrates
“Where there is love of man, there is also the love of art”
Like a powerful magnet that pulls the surrounding metal towards
it
Like a lightening in the sky that illuminates the landscape in
the darkness
You galvanized and motivated the people around you and beyond
By the sheer gravity of your selfless love and compassionate
service
You inspired many a soul to join your Noble Mission
And thus transformed SAI Health Fairs into a phenomenon
Which ushered a new ray of hope with renewed faith
Among the Indian Diaspora of Georgia
To prove that their hearts are with this great land
Through the ebb and flow of its prosperity
And to pay back their dues to their adopted land
Which blessed them with wonderful lives and professions
God created men and women as His children
And blessed them with intellect and heart as two poles
But He left them to balance the poles on their own
And walk on the tight ropes of their destiny
Which run crisscrossing above their worldly life
With all its opportunities, temptations, joys and sorrows
And all thro’ that He expects His children to walk with balance
Of not their physical gait, but their inner self
Dear Doctor Sujatha Reddy
It is really heartening to see you
Walking with that inner balance
And thus treading a Noble Path
Which God expects from all His children
So, His Blessings are with you always
|
