Living legend in dermatology - Professor S. Sacchidanand

PROFESSOR (DR.) S. SACCHIDANAND, DVD, DHA, MD, FRCP (GLASG)

Editor in chief Dr. Devinder Mohan Thappa, had an opportunity to converse with Professor (Dr.) S. Sacchidanand, excerpts are presented here:

WHO IS PROFESSOR DR. S. SACCHIDANAND?

Professor Dr. S. Sacchidanand [Figure 1] is a reputed personality in dermatology in India and abroad, graduated (1978–1984) and postgraduated (1985–1986 and 1992–1994) from Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belgaum, Karnataka University and acquired diploma in hospital administration from Institute of Social Science and Research, Vellore (1991) and Fellowship from Royal College of Physcians, Glasgow (2012).

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Figure 1:

Professor S. Sacchidanand.

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He joined state government service in Karnataka as Assistant Surgeon in 1985 and became Administrative Officer in 1987. His professional carrier in dermatology started as Lecturer (1991–2000) in Bangalore Medical College, Bengaluru where he rose in the rank of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor and Professor (2000–2014) including head of department. From 2007 to 2010 and 2014 to 2016 served as Registrar (Evaluation), Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS), Karnataka. He also worked as Director Medical Education (2016–2018) and Chairman, Karnataka Nursing Council, Bengaluru, Chairman, Karnataka State Diploma Nursing Education Board, Bengaluru, Chairman, Para Medical Board, Bengaluru, Dean cum Director (2017–2018), Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bengaluru, and Vice Chancellor (2018–2021), RGUHS, Bengaluru.

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO JOIN DERMATOLOGY?

I was one of the toppers during my under graduate days and had passed with first class. I could have got into any Post graduation of my choice. However, I chose Dermatology, because it was a path less tread by others. I wanted to be different, easy going and still achieve a lot in any field I choose, though initially, I wanted to be a surgeon. Dermatology provided a perfect opportunity to grow along with the subject. The field was wide open and not many qualified Dermatologists were available at that point of time. I could realize most of my dreams through this field.

LEADERSHIP ROLE AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO DERMATOLOGY?

In the association activities, held various positions such as General Secretary and Treasurer in states for Medical Officers and State Associations, Honorary General Secretary (2002–2004 and 2004–2006), President Elect (2007–2008), President (2008–2009), Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists (IADVL), Secretary General (2005–2007), Vice President (2013–2015), President (2015–2017), South Asian Regional Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists, Vice-President (2011) and President (2017–2019), Association of Cutaneous Surgeons of India. I was Convener and Secretary General, World Congress of Dermatology, 2015, Founder President of Association of Facial Aestheticians and Aesthetic Surgeons of India, 2013 and Founder President of Community Dermatology Society, 2013.

I have authored and edited 14 books in Dermatology including IADVL Textbook of Dermatology, was first Indian Doctor to be successfully audited by Food and Drugs Administration, USA (2004) for Wyeth sponsored - Tigecycline study, first Indian Dermatologist to start a full - fledged fellowship program in dermatosurgery under the aegis of RGUHS (2006), esthetic dermatology (2008), pediatric dermatology (2010), trichology (2020). First Indian Dermatologist to organize three National conferences at Bengaluru (DERMAVISION - 2000 and again DERMACON in 2009 as Organizing Secretary and DERMACON 2019 as Organizing Chairman and more than 25 conferences at local, state, regional, and national levels.

WHAT ARE YOUR PASSIONS?

For my passion for dermatology, organization and administration, I have been rewarded by various organizations both national and international - Fellow of IADVL (2011), Fellow of Asian Academy of Dermatology 2013, Distinguished Alumni award - by KLE University (2013), Prof. Dr. K. Siddappa Life Time Achievement award - by Karnataka branch of IADVL (2014), Prof. Dr. Ratan Singh award - by IADVL 2015, Teacher par excellence award - by IADVL (2017), Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Award (2018), Dr. B. C. Roy Award from IMA Bengaluru branch (2017) and Karnataka branch (2019), and Dr. K. C. Kandhari award by IADVL (2020).

During my pursuit for dermatology and its teaching, I had been influenced by Dr. A. K. Bajaj, Allahabad, Dr. Rui Fernandes, Mumbai, Dr. Ganesh Pai, Mangaluru, Dr. S. V. Indrakumar, Bengaluru, Dr. Uday Khopkar, Mumbai, Dr. V. P. Kuriyipe, Kochi, Dr. K. K. Rajababu, Hyderabad, Dr. R. Shivakumar, Mysuru, Dr. K. Siddappa, Davangere, Dr. B. Siddaramappa, Belagavi.

HOW DO YOU SEE THE SPECIALTY OF DERMATOLOGY EVOLVE IN FUTURE?

Dermatology is a fast growing subject, and the changes are perceptible in the last couple of decades. The unprecedented growth in the subject has been multi-factorial. Improvement in the socio-economic status of the citizens, availability of disposable incomes, and globalization has contributed to the demands of the younger population for looking fairer, younger and smarter. Sub-specialties like Dermato-surgery, Aesthetic Dermatology, Pediatric dermatology, Trichology and Dermato-oncology have evolved due to societal demands.

The future of dermatology and its further growth depends upon the flourishing of these sub-specialties. There is also ever increasing newer dermatological diseases due to increased pollution, urbanization, and varying life-styles. Dermatology will be attracting more and more youngsters who would ensure that the societal demands and needs are fulfilled, thereby stabilizing and sustaining the growth of the subject. It will not be out of place, if these sub-specialty subjects will blossom into super-specialty subjects in due course.

What’s in store for future? Biologics and bio-similar will be used increasingly. Interventions at cellular and molecular levels and targeting immunological receptors would be available. Gene therapy would brighten the therapeutic sky of the clinicians. Technological advances will ensure introduction of more and more gadgets both as diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Artificial intelligence, machine learning, virtual and augmented reality, and internet of things will increasingly and definitely play powerful role in shaping the future of dermatological disorders and their management. We need to brace-up to face these inevitable changes which are already lurking in the horizon.