The passing of Prof. Dr. Sanjiv Nair is a profound loss to the fraternity of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. A Keralite by birth, he completed his BDS and MDS in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Government Dental College, Trivandrum, followed by further studies in the UK, before building his distinguished professional career in Bengaluru. He rose to become President of the International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (IAOMS) after serving as President of AOMSI and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, the official journal of AOMSI. He was internationally recognised for his pioneering work in vascular lesions of the head and neck, a field in which he made enduring clinical and academic contributions through his seminal publication. His leadership, scholarship and unwavering commitment to advancing our specialty earned him immense respect across India and the global maxillofacial community.
On a personal note, as a fellow alumnus of Government Dental College, Trivandrum, I consider myself particularly fortunate to have had the privilege of sharing a special professional journey with him. I had the honour of serving as the President of AOMSI immediately before Sanjiv assumed the presidency. As President of IAOMS, he further enhanced the stature of Indian Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery on the international stage. His journey from Kerala to the international professional arena is a source of pride for all of us, particularly for the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery fraternity in Kerala and India. Today, as we mourn his untimely departure, my thoughts are with his family, friends, colleagues, students and the countless members of our fraternity who have been touched by his life and work.
Dear Sanjiv, you have laid down your scalpel, but the impact of your work will endure. Your contributions to our specialty will continue to speak for you, and your memory will remain alive in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing you. May God grant strength and consolation to his bereaved family.
Rest in peace, dear friend.