With the superannuation of Dr. Shivanand Bandekar, the Goa Medical College (GMC) bids farewell to an era marked by clinical excellence, steady leadership, and a commitment to compassionate care that transformed countless lives across the state.
Dr. Bandekar, who retired as Dean of GMC, was much more than an administrator. He was one of Goa’s foremost orthopaedic surgeons, a teacher revered by generations, and a crisis manager whose calm guidance proved invaluable—especially during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A proud alumnus of GMC, Dr. Bandekar began his medical journey within the same institution he would eventually lead. After completing his MBBS and MS in Orthopaedics, he joined the Department of Orthopaedics as a young lecturer, quickly establishing himself as a gifted clinician and meticulous surgeon.
Among his many surgical accomplishments, Dr. Bandekar’s expertise in knee surgeries stood unmatched. From complex fracture reconstructions to total knee replacements, his skill gave a new lease of life to countless patients who had lost hope of walking again. For many in Goa and beyond, the phrase “Dr. Bandekar did my knee” became a badge of restored mobility and dignity. Colleagues often remarked that his precision in knee procedures set a standard few could match, and his calm assurance in the operating theatre inspired trust in even the most anxious patients.
Over the decades, he rose through the ranks to become Professor and Head of the Department of Orthopaedics, performing thousands of life-changing operations. Patients remember his remarkable ability to explain complex conditions in simple terms and his quiet, reassuring presence before and after surgery.
Yet his greatest impact may have been as a teacher and mentor. Generations of orthopaedic residents trained under him speak of his patience and insistence on maintaining the highest standards of ethics and diligence. He fostered an environment where learning was rigorous but supportive, and he constantly reminded young surgeons that compassion was as important as competence.
His appointment as Dean came at a time when GMC faced multiple challenges, from infrastructure demands to public health emergencies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Bandekar’s leadership was a pillar of stability.
As the nodal officer for almost all major COVID hospitals in Goa, he personally coordinated resources, treatment protocols, and crisis response across the state’s health system. He supervised the conversion of wards into dedicated COVID facilities, ensured that critical supplies were delivered on time, and maintained constant communication with health authorities. Even when the crisis peaked, he remained visible and approachable, walking the wards in PPE, offering words of reassurance to exhausted staff and anxious patients.
Under his stewardship, GMC expanded trauma care services, strengthened postgraduate training, and reinforced its role as the state’s main tertiary referral centre. He championed the introduction of advanced orthopaedic techniques, particularly in knee and joint replacement surgeries, benefitting patients across the region.
Reflecting on his decades of service, Dr. Bandekar said:
“It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve at Goa Medical College, where I began as a young student and spent over three decades caring for patients and training future doctors. I have always believed that every patient deserves not only the best possible treatment but also respect and empathy. My journey in orthopaedics—especially helping patients regain mobility through knee surgeries—has been immensely fulfilling. I am grateful to my colleagues, students, and all the patients who placed their trust in me.”
Though he formally superannuates today, Dr. Bandekar’s association with medicine is far from over. He has expressed interest in mentoring young doctors and pursuing academic projects focused on orthopaedic innovation.
At his farewell ceremony, colleagues described him as a “rare combination
of surgeon, scholar, and gentleman,” while staff nurses recalled his daily rounds as moments of learning and reassurance.
Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, in a message of appreciation, said, “Dr. Shivanand Bandekar has set a benchmark in public healthcare delivery and clinical excellence. His contribution to GMC and to the health services of Goa will be remembered with deep respect.”
For the many patients whose knees he repaired, whose pain he relieved, and whose hope he restored, Dr. Bandekar remains more than a doctor—he is a symbol of trust, resilience, and quiet strength.
As he steps away from formal duty, the GMC community and the people of Goa salute Dr. Shivanand Bandekar for a lifetime of service defined by skill, humility, and humanity.
