A local surgeon and his family’s legacy will never be forgotten after the dedication of a room in their honour at the Westlock Healthcare Centre.
On March 28, hospital staff and administration unveiled the Patel Room for Dr. Shashi Patel, and his late wife, Koki Patel.
Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jan Lategan, who submitted their name to administration, said the gesture will ensure the Patel name lives on at the hospital where he worked for more than 40 years until his retirement in 2014. His wife, Koki, also worked as a registered nurse in Westlock up until her passing in 1997.
“He opened up the door for specialists to come here. It was an honour and a privilege to work with him,” Lategan said.
“The Patels made a big difference to this hospital. The kind of care that our nurses and staff provide has been easy to follow based on the groundwork that he did.
“We’re all grateful that he spent time here and helped to cement the services in this hospital and to make sure that the care was to such a standard that we could actually provide other specializations.”
The space will be a multi-purpose room used for patient education, a waiting area and as a meeting space for staff.
Dr. Patel became general surgeon at Westlock’s Immaculata Hospital in 1970. At the time, the hospital had limited surgical capabilities, but he made it his mission to improve program delivery.
“Medicine is advancing all of the time,” Patel said. “Either you keep abreast, or you’re going to get left behind. I took the necessary courses and qualifications and we started a program.”
With the help and mentorship of administrator Robert Cable, who had a vision of Westlock as a regional centre for medical treatment, Patel set out to bring laparoscopic and endoscope abilities to the hospital.
“He approached me and asked me how long I would be here. I said to him, as far as I’m concerned, I’m going to be here forever,” Patel said.
Patel began to press administration for equipment.
Over the years and with the help of the Westlock Rotary Club, the hospital was able to obtain the necessary surgical equipment to bring the facility up to speed with the treatment available in Edmonton hospitals, including a CT scanner.
“We started to get more and more resources from the city,” Dr. Patel said. “When the time came, we managed to snag Dr. Lategan, one of the best orthopedic surgeons I know, from South Africa.
“Little by little, we got the equipment and resources needed to reach where we are today. By myself it would have been impossible.”
Sashi and Koki’s sons Anul and Suru Patel also attended the ceremony, alongside the couple’s grandson, Jadan and were grateful for the decision to honour Shashi and Koki’s legacy.
“The pride that my mother and father had in our community really resonated with the kids because we saw how they dedicated their lives to serving others and making this community better,” Anul said.
“That really had an impact on how we kind of evolved as people and the values that we share today.”
Suru added that Koki would have been proud to see the Patel name earn a lasting place at the hospital.
“She delivered around 1,500 babies before she had even arrived in Westlock, so by the time she came here, a lot of the doctors would go to her for advice on the obstetrics side because she had so much experience,” Suru said.
“Helping other people was a paramount part of her whole existence. She would be exceptionally proud.”
