๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐บ ๐ก๐ฎ๐ด๐ฝ๐๐ฟ ๐๐ผ ๐๐ฑ๐ฒ๐น๐ฎ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ: ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ธ๐ฎ๐ฏ๐น๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ฟ. ๐ ๐ถ๐ต๐ถ๐ฟ ๐ช๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฎ๐น๐ฒ๐ธ๐ฎ๐ฟ
A fortnight ago, Dr. Mihir Wechalekar, an alumnus of MGIMS, class of 1992, received the prestigious 2024 Mid-Career Excellence Award in Australia.
This honour was bestowed upon him at the combined New Zealand Australian Rheumatology Association Annual Scientific Meeting in Christchurch, New Zealand.
This award highlights his thirst for knowledge, passion for research, and dedication to patient care. His journey is truly inspiring.
So, how did Mihirโs journey in medicine begin?
Mihirโs love for medicine runs in the family. Dr. Dilip Wechalekar, an internal medicine specialist, and his wife, Devi, a hematologist, were Mihir’s parents. Distinguished doctors in Nagpur from the mid-1950s to the 2000s, they spent five decades leaving a big mark on the medical community. Known for their academic brilliance, philanthropy, generosity, and devotion, they set a remarkable example for their son.
His brother Ashutosh is a distinguished hematologist based in London, acclaimed for his research on multiple myeloma. Mihir’s wife, Dr. Harsha Panicker, also his classmate at MGIMS, pursued her PhD in Neuroanatomy in Australia. Together, they share a profound dedication to academic excellence.
After obtaining his MBBS from MGIMS in 1996, Mihir completed his MD in Medicine. His training at MGIMS was unique. He learned to care for rural, often illiterate patients in resource-limited settings. This experience shaped his approach to medicine and research.
But what happened next?
Two decades ago, Mihir moved from India to Australia, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his life. In 2011, he earned his FRACP, and five years later, he completed his PhD, adding several prestigious tags to his name along the way.
Today, he is a full-time rheumatology consultant at Flinders Medical Centre in Adelaide, Australia. He is also an Associate Professor at Flinders Universityโs College of Medicine & Public Health.
His primary focus lies in studying synovial membrane pathology, both in health and disease, with a particular emphasis on early rheumatoid arthritis. As the leader of Australiaโs only synovial tissue biobank, he spearheads groundbreaking research in this field. While blood banks, milk banks, and eye banks are familiar concepts to me as a seasoned physician, the idea of a synovial bank was entirely novel.
His research lab includes a team of grant-funded post-doctoral research associates. His work focuses on translating research from bedside to bench and back. He aims to understand rheumatoid arthritis and develop targeted therapies.
But thatโs not all.
Mihir has raised over AUD 13 million for his research. He has collaborated with top institutions like Brigham and Womenโs Hospital in Boston and the National Institutes of Health. His research has greatly influenced the field and is widely appreciated.
As a practicing rheumatologist, Mihir manages a busy schedule. He conducts half a dozen clinics each week and covers hospital services for three to four months a year. His work brings hope and relief to many patients with rheumatological conditions.
Lofty and towering, Mihir exudes a commanding, and yet, calming presence. Behind his spectacles, his sparkling and inquisitive eyes reveal volumes about his personality. They reflect his humility and insatiable thirst for knowledge.
They lend him an unmistakable scholarly aura.
His impeccable English, which impresses academics and language enthusiasts alike, enhances his scholarly demeanor. Despite his numerous achievements, Mihir is unfailingly polite. He remains soft-spoken and self-effacing, choosing to prioritize his work and research over seeking the spotlight.
Mihirโs journey from MGIMS to the global stage is a source of immense pride for MGIMS teachers. Dr. OP Gupta, who guided Mihir on his PG thesisโ”The Association of the Ankle Brachial Index with Coronary Artery Diseases”โin 2002, must feel incredibly proud.
His education at MGIMS and training in the Medicine wards laid the groundwork for his successful career. It provided him with a deep understanding of healthcare challenges in rural areas, driving him to innovate and excel.
We congratulate Mihirโand Harshaโand look forward to his continued contributions to medical science and patient care. May he ease the pain of those who come to him dis-eased.
Mihir works in Adelaide, a city where Virat Kohli made history by scoring centuries in both innings of his captaincy debut in the 2012 test, dazzling spectators with his spectacular shots. I strongly believe that just as Kohli captivated the cricket world, Mihir has the potential to astonish the field of rheumatology with his profound knowledge and far-reaching impact.
#MGIMSAlumni #MedicalExcellence #Rheumatology #GlobalRecognition
I’d the privilege of working with Mihir Sir, in the 1st year of my post-graduation.
(Although he’s our 2 year senior, we all knew him as a topper, studious boy of 92 batch)
Very meticulous and organized way of clinical practice!
Great achievements! Really a prodigal son of Dr Wechlekar Sir. Congratulations to Mihir,the teacher,the researcher and a very humble person to the core!
A beautiful write-up Sir!
Congratulations sir.
We were the lucky few to learn personally from him. A role model to all.
Congratulations Mihir Sir ๐๐๐. Sir, thanks for the update of seniors we knew. He was a second year resident when I was doing my internship at MGIMS. Very polite and never lost temper.
Dr Mihir is gentleness personified.
Congrats Mihir and thanks Dr Kalantri for your wonderful writing.
We were very lucky to share a good 4 and bit years with Mihir. He was a beacon of brilliance even during his MBBS days and yet so approachable. Absolutely great guy. Many congratulations to Mihir, Wechalekar family and the MGIMS community at large ๐๐
Congratulations Dr. Wechlekar for such an outstanding achievement and wish you many more in the future.
Thank you for sharing this incredible journey of Dr. Mihir Wechalekar. As someone who knew Mihir personally, it’s inspiring to see his dedication and hard work recognized on such a prestigious platform.
Mihir was my JNBH neighbor and a true embodiment of humility and diligence. He was very soft-spoken and used to wake up early in the morning, a habit that reflected his commitment and discipline. Itโs heartwarming to see how these qualities have carried him through an illustrious career in medicine and research.
Congratulations, Mihir, on this well-deserved honor. Your journey from Nagpur to Adelaide is a testament to your passion for medicine and unwavering dedication to patient care. Keep shining and inspiring us all.
Congratulations & great Achievements. I personally remember him when O was in MGIMS, Sewagram. Thanks to Dr. Kalantri sir for his write up & information ๐.
A very impressive journey of hardwork commitment and talented achievements
Congratulations Mihir!
Have a brighter future ahead.
Harsha madam taught us anatomy when we were in first year…
Congrats Dr Mihir, but it’s Dr Kalantri classical presentation of Mihir’s achievement…
Synovial tissue bio bank..please share ur experience. Shubkamnae bahutsare.
During my house job in 1985 Prof Kushkumar taught me ,how to take biopsy from knee synovial membrane..for knee effusion. Several patients turnout to be ..Tubercular….
Even number batches stayed put together in 1 block. My room was 3 rooms away from Mihir sir,,diligent hard working humble guy to the core..any cough cold fever he was our โgo-toโ guy. Congrats MW Sir.
Beautiful writeup sir. Mihir was my junior and very studious from UG days. Congrats to Mihir and Harsha for their achievements ๐
Congratulations to Mihir for the great achievement.
I remember that when Mihir and Harsha,the dedicated junior teachers of MGIMS were leaving in 2004, it looked as a great loss to MGIMS, but then it paved the way to such illustrious journey ahead. Proud of their achievements !
Hearty congratulations โto Mihir.
Loved the write up and each and every one that you have written earlier. I am truly amazed at how you go about collecting these snippets and put them into words. Love reading them, keeps me connected with Sevagram and MGIMS.
Congratulations Mihir
Very proud to know Dr Mihir, we in GMC Nagpur being students of senior Dr Wechlekars.
Congratulations Mihir and Harsha !!
Congratulations!
We were very lucky to share a good 4 and bit years with Mihir. He was a beacon of brilliance even during his MBBS days and yet so approachable. Absolutely great guy. Many congratulations to Mihir, Wechalekar family and the MGIMS community at large.
Congratulations, Mihir !
What a befitting encouragement from our teacher – Mihir is brilliance + humility personified. And am sure he would feel this tribute is a testimony which he has spent his years for .
More power to him .
Congratulations Mihir