Obituary Tribute to the late Professor Salih Yassin Salih An outstanding man
Professor Salih Yassin was a renounced exceptionally competent physician, an eminent teacher and an innovative administrator who was active until the last day of his life. Though painful it is a blessed way to pass away. He passed away on Monday 27th of April 2009 at the age of 66. Professor Salih’s footsteps and fingerprints would remain in the different academic institutions in which he worked. He was an outstanding doctor who excelled in his academic achievements .He was loved and admired by the generations of students he taught and the doctors he trained. He had a caring nature and proficient manner with patients, which was enhanced with his exemplary communication skills. His interpersonal skills were superb, which enabled him to work well within the multi professional environment of health service. One would look at Professor Salih’s life with admiration and interest. Though • He was married and had four counted short in terms of time, it was long children, two of whom have followed and rich with the considerable achievements his footsteps and joined the medical .Professor Salih lived up to his goals and he profession. sailed through the waves and tides of • He was appointed as a research challenges to achieve those goals. assistant in medicine at the Below is a briefing of a great memorable University of Khartoum on C.V: September 1969 and as a registrar in • He was born in Omdurman, Sudan medicine at Khartoum Civil Hospital on the 27th of September 1942. (now called Khartoum Teaching • He had his elementary, intermediate Hospital). and secondary school education in • He achieved the MRCP (UK) at the Omdurman. first attempt through the Royal • In 1968 he graduated from the College of Physicians of London in faculty of Medicine at the University May 1972. of Khartoum, with a very • In 1973 he achieved the DCMT distinguished undergraduate career, (Diploma in Clinical Medicine of the during which he was awarded six Tropics) with distinction from prizes on various subjects, over the University of London, and awarded duration of the third to the fifth year Frederick Murgatroy's Prize. of medical school.
9 Sudan Med J May Aug 2009:45(2)
Obituary The late Professor Salih Yassin Salih
• He had his main postgraduate physician at Soba University medical training in Bristol Royal Hospital, 1978 1981. infirmary, University of Bristol (1970 1972). • St. Pancras Hospital London, University of London (1972 1973) & (1977 1978). During which he attended the Wednesday weekly sessions in the Royal free Hospital, London with late Dame Professor Sheila Sherlock. • He was appointed as a lecturer in medicine at the University of Khartoum in 1973 and was promoted to associate professor of medicine in 1977. • In 1981 He was awarded the degree of MD (Academic) from the University of Khartoum, with a distinction. • Head of department of medicine, • In 1982 he was promoted to a full University of Khartoum 1985 1990. status of professor of medicine in the • Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, faculty of medicine, University of University of Khartoum 1990 1992. Khartoum. He was then the youngest • Head of division of Internal person ever to be promoted to that Medicine King Fahd National Guard status in the faculty of medicine, Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi University of Khartoum. Besides Arabia (1992 1996), on secondment having been a professor of internal from the University of Khartoum. medicine, he had specialized in • Returned to University of Khartoum infectious and tropical diseases, as a professor of medicine in 1996. gastroenterology and liver diseases. • Founding vice chancellor for the • He became an (FRCP(London) in National Ribat (Police) University 1985. 2000 2004. • He was a teacher of medicine since • President of the National Sudan 1973 for both undergraduate and medical specialization Board 2002 postgraduate. 2008 and professor of Medicine • He was an examiner of medicine for University of Khartoum. both undergraduate and postgraduate • Founding member of Sudanese students nationally and Society of Gastroenterology, 1976. internationally. • Vice President and then President of • He was a Consultant physician, the Sudan Association of Physicians Khartoum Teaching Hospital since 2000 2002, 2002 2004 respectively. 1973 till he passed away. • Published many papers of original Furthermore he was a Consultant research in reputable international journals. 10 Sudan Med J May Aug 2009:45(2)
Obituary The late Professor Salih Yassin Salih
• Wrote chapters in referred books. • Published another book on his • Presented research papers in national personal experiences and reflections and international conferences and A doctor's memoirs and opinions in attended many high powered medical January 2009. The book is an conferences in USA. encyclopedia on his personal • He published his first book, Yassin's experiences and opinions on medical Medical Rounds, Skills and educational, political and social Knowledge in 2007. The book was topics. encyclopedic. It contained vast • His life is celebrated in the good clinical knowledge and an Atlas of memories he left behind that case history and medical diseases. encompassed good nature, The volume size was more than 815 generosity, charity, hard work and pages. The book cites more than 900 beneficial knowledge. His legacy is journal references and over 30 text carried on by his four children. books of medicine as books references. May god the Almighty bless him and rest his • He published his second book soul in heaven. Yassin’s Medical Diagnosis in April 2008. It contained case history, examination, investigations, image illustrations and management options Hashim Yagi, consideration. Professor of Otorhinolaryngology
11 Sudan Med J May Aug 2009:45(2)