In this month’s Pediatrics in Review issue, on the bottom of Dr. Deepak Kamat’s commentary “An Honor and Privilege,” there is a paragraph that notes:
“Dr. Deepak Kamat, Professor of Pediatrics at Wayne State University, served as the Pediatrics in Review Associate Editor for the Index of Suspicion column from 2008 to 2017. Thanks to his dedication, the IOS column's popularity continues to grow nationally and internationally. He will be missed.”
This blog reiterates that Deepak will indeed be missed. In 2010, Deepak received the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Education Award at the AAP National Conference and Exhibition, in San Francisco.
In his letter nominating Deepak for that award, Dr. Lawrence F. Nazarian, Emeritus Editor-in-Chief of Pediatrics in Review, wrote: “It is hard to conceive of another pediatrician who touches so many colleagues through the published word and through direct teaching.” Deepak Kamat, MD, PhD, retired June 30 from his position as PIR’s Index of Suspicion associate editor after serving from 2008-2017.
I agree.
In my letter nominating Deepak for the same award, I wrote:
“Deepak effortlessly writes, edits, and designs curriculum for the student and practitioner. His reach is both nationwide and international, improving the health of thousands of children. Plus, I quite admire Deepak for his tireless efforts to promote other foreign-born physicians who come to the United States to learn how best to improve the lives of children throughout the world.”
Perhaps what impresses me most is that, through Index of Suspicion, Deepak engaged the world, seeking case contributions from pediatricians nationally and internationally, while also promoting the scholarly pursuits of national and international junior faculty.
I also wrote:
“I first met Deepak close to two decades ago when he introduced himself after I presented a Visual Diagnosis seminar at the AAP National Conference and Exhibition in Chicago. We quickly established our mutual passion for teaching pediatric medicine through clinical cases.
“Deepak asked how I went about preparing cases, and he offered techniques that worked for him. Since then we have nurtured a great friendship, frequently meeting at national meetings and editorial board meetings, exchanging ideas for teaching and improving health care.”
I also could have added that, at those national meetings, we met for great breakfasts involving eggs, hash browns, and coffee. While I am repeating myself here, after rereading Deepak’s nomination letters and remembering our mutual love of breakfast, there is no question that for me, and all of us at Pediatrics in Review, Deepak will be missed.