Golden Memories of Dow Medical College
M. Basheer Ahmed, M.D. Class of 1955-60
I was admitted to Dow Medical College in 1955. We were all very excited about starting the Medical School, which was the fulfillment of our dream. Gradually, I became friends with few like-minded students who were serious students with a primary goal to excel in studies. We still have fond memories of our first two years at the college, especially Prof. Waheed, who was one of the finest teachers we had. While teaching anatomy, he always shared different poetic verses from Ghalib, Iqbal and other noted poets of Indo-Pakistan. He was originally from Lakhnow, and we enjoyed his communication in Urdu language. From the first week of college, we started learning Anatomy by dissecting the dead bodies and of course, the dissection hall was a great place to make friends. Who will forget Mr. Shahab, who seemed to know more anatomy than many students? I heard that, he helped the students in the examination by identifying the anatomical parts… In order to pass the exam, we had to memories the Gray’s anatomy which was the only textbook of anatomy available at that time. Initial lectures on Physiology were given by a British Professor Mr. Reid, who was the master of Samson Wright’s book of Physiology. After he left, Prof. Afaq continued to teach us the Physiology.
We also became involved in political life at the college. We strongly felt that the national student federation (NSF) propagated the balance views and not dominated by fundamental theocratic ideas. We worked closely Drs. Sarwar, Hashmi, Sher Afzal and other students in the election and we developed a respect for their leadership. In spite of our enthusiastic participation in the election for several days, we still manage to pass our second year exam without a serious problem. In fact, I passed the exam with distinction, and as a result I received the merit scholarship…
During the first two years, we developed a close friendship with several students, including: Ali Jamshyd, Ahmed Saeed, Mushtaq Hashmi, Adeeb Rizvi and late Amin Ahmed, Farooq Azam also joined our group later as a transfer student from Dhaka. Several female students became our friends as we were supporting the same candidates in election and our friendship with Ghazala, Nuzhat, Farhat, Zakia, Mariam, Rabia and Asghari continued for years.
We started classes on pharmacology and Pathalogy in 3rd year. Prof. Muzharulhaq (Pharmacology) and the Taffazzul Hussain (Pathology) were our professors during the third year of medical school. I was not very interested in either of these subjects. The clinical rotations were also started in 3rd year, which was a real fun.
I remember vividly the clinical rotations. Half of our rotations were at Civil Hospital, and another half was at Jinnah Hospital, which was also affiliated with Dow Medical College. We used to ride in mini buses go to Jinnah Hospital. We have rotations under Prof. Mahmood Ali Shah (Opth), Prof. Shafiuddin (ENT), Prof. Hamid Ali Khan (Int. Med.), Prof. Qassim (Int. Med.), Asif Hamidi and Khawaja Moeen joined as Assistant Professor, Prof. Siddiqui (Surgery) Prof. Col. Saeed (Surgery), Prof. Raheem, Prof. Fazal Elahi, Prof. Zaki Hassan (Psychiatry & Neuro), Prof. Siddiqui (ObGyn), Zubaida Aziz (ObGyn), Prof. Choudhury (ObGyn).
While we were students, there was a major political upheaval occurred. The Martial Law was declared by Gen. Ayub Khan in 1958. I was very disheartened with this changing situation. Immediately, a military administrator was appointed who became in charge of Civil Hospital and Dow Medical College. All the policies and decision had to be approved by the military administrator. I had very sad feelings for the country for losing the possibility of democratic government.
In addition to busy schedule at the college, studies and exams, we always found time to enjoy in multiple social activities. Of course, the elections were the most serious extracurricular events. We had mushairas, dramas, ghazal programs and picnics. Those were the real fun times. We still cherish those memories.
After graduation, all of us pick different routes, doing the house jobs in different departments. I joined department of medicine, and I had an opportunity to work with Prof. Zaki Hassan, who was the specialist in neurology. He also had training in Psychiatry and was the first physician to establish the department of Psychiatry in Dow Medical College. He opened the first inpatient psychiatric unit in Jinnah Hospital, and I was the first house physician to work with him in that unit. Prior to this service, the medical students only had lectures on Psychiatry and may be a visit to a chronic mental hospital in Yerra Gadda.
I developed an interest in pursuing the career in Psychiatry during my work at the newly opened inpatient Psychiatric unit at Jinnah Hospital. Prof. Zaki Hassan’s mentorship was a great influence on me.
When I decided to go to UK for further studies, Prof. Zaki Hassan recommended me to go to Glasgow University for further studies. He also wrote a letter of recommendation to the professor at Glasgow University. In early 60s, it was difficult to get the house job in UK, and it was almost impossible to get the training in a university hospital. However, I did get the house job in psychiatry in Glasgow University where I stayed five years. After completing the exams, I moved to USA in January 1968. Luckily, I did not have to do the internship and residency in USA and because of my Glasgow University training; I was eligible for board certification. For the next 20 years, I spent time in the academic field at various medical schools, namely Albert Einstein College of Medicine New York, Dayton University Medical School and finally left the faculty position as a professor of Psychiatry at Southwestern Medical School Dallas, TX to start the private practice.
While in private the practice, I have established a charitable organization, Muslim Community Center for Human Services (MCC) which provides charitable medical and social services to the indigent residents of Dallas/Fort Worth irrespective of race, religion and country of origin. I have been serving as its founding chairman since 1995. (www.mcc-hs.org).The center was supported by many Pakistani physicians who volunteer at the clinic.
Five of my classmates, Dr. Jumshyd, Dr. Farhat, Dr. Sayeed, Dr. Shamsi and Dr. Nuzhat live in Houston, and we keep close contact. We celebrated our 50th alumni reunion in 2010 where many of our classmates attended from different parts of USA, Canada and England. Our guest of honor was our own classmate the internationally known surgeon Prof. Adeeb Rizvi founder of Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation. I am sharing several photos of our college years 1955-1960 and some photos taken on the occasion of our 50th golden jubilee the alumni reunion to be included on the website.
M. Basheer Ahmed, M.D.
Chairman Emeritus MCC for Human Services Dallas, TX
Former Professor of Psychiatry, Southwestern Medical School Dallas, TX
Photo of DMC Class of 1960. Courtesy of Prof. M. Basheer Ahmed sitting
on left. On extreme right is Dr. Sayeed Ahmed (Pathologist in Houston)
and standing on extreme right is Prof. Adeeb ul Hasan Rizvi, Founder of
Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, Karachi.
