Mukul Chandra, M.D., former clinical assistant professor with the Boonshoft School of Medicine (BSOM) department of internal medicine, prominent Dayton-area cardiologist, and heart health advocate, passed away in October of 2020 due to complications from COVID-19.
Chandra came to BSOM in 2005, and was promoted to clinical associate professor in 2011. He was vital in the creation of the cardiovascular diseases fellowship program. While educating students at BSOM, he also served as medical director of Cardiac Preventive Care and Research, and vice chair of the Cardiovascular Service Line with Premier Health’s Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio.
Chandra lived on three continents, but Dayton truly felt like home. According to his son, Shubham Chandra, “He was always thinking of the people of Dayton.” He was a strong supporter and advocate for the Dayton-area American Heart Association, and often shared heart health information on a local Dayton newscast. Mark Allen, a reporter with WDTN said of Chandra, “We connected right away, perhaps over our mutual love of cycling. He suggested we ride together someday.”
He was a tireless advocate for his patients and their families, and was well respected by those at BSOM, as well as the clinical and support teams he worked with. Glen Solomon, M.D., chair of the BSOM department of internal medicine said “Dr. Mukul Chandra was a valued member of the Department of Internal Medicine. He was an enthusiastic teacher of medical students, residents and fellows. Dr. Chandra was highly regarded as a clinician.”
In 2008, Chandra was the recipient of the American Heart Association Distinguished Achievement Award and the Dayton Business Journal’s Health Care Hero and Innovator of the Year Award.
Chandra graduated from the MP Shah Medical College at the University of Baroda in India, and completed further training in SGPGI Lucknow, India; Hadassah University Hospital Ein Kerem–Jerusalem, Israel; and Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. He completed his fellowship in cardiology at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas.
The BSOM Department of Internal Medicine plans to acknowledge Chandra’s contributions by naming an award in his honor to be presented to an internal medicine resident who presents a scientific paper or poster at a resident presentation in cardiology.
Chandra is survived by his wife, Arti, and two children, Shubham and Aayushi.
—Lisa Coffey
