Vijay SANGHVI

1935 - 2015

SANGHVI

Vijay R. Sanghvi, MD, a leader in the field of cardiology, passed away peacefully on October 13 at age 80 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Born on June 3, 1935 in Junagadh, India to Savita and Professor Ratilal Sanghvi. He received a medical degree from Gujarat University and completed his residency training and Board Certification in Internal Medicine in 1965. Dr. Sanghvi pursued post-graduate training at McMaster and Queens University in Ontario and held fellowships from the American College of Cardiology, The Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada, and the Society for Cardiac Angiography and Intervention. In 1962, while on a picnic with friends, he met his future wife of 34 years, Dr. Khushman Sanghvi. They immediately connected over a love of classical music, literature, and poetry. They became legendary hosts at their home in Cincinnati, where singing, poetry, gourmet dining, and much laughter were always to be found. Dr. Sanghvi spent his life touching thousands of hearts - both literally and figuratively. He joined the faculty at the University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine as assistant professor of medicine in 1971. From 1971-1990 he served as medical director for the Division of Cardiology at The Jewish Hospital, where he was responsible for introducing what now represents the core techniques used in Cardiology. He moved on to private practice, while maintaining an affiliation with the University of Cincinnati, first as an Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine and then Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine. Most recently, he was a respected faculty member in the Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease as well as Director of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at the Drake Center. Beyond his professional accomplishments, his unconditional commitment to serve patients, desire to teach students, residents and fellows about innovation in the field of cardiology, he had a deep passion for reading about everything from metaphysics to poetry, would abandon most appointments for a solid game of bridge, all to the backdrop of Indian classical music tailored to the time of day. He wanted to understand the emotion and spirit of the human heart as much as its biology. He inspired generations to follow their curiosity, to reflect on themselves and, in turn, improve the world they inhabit. In early 2012, Dr. Sanghvi endowed UC's Mind-Body Interface in Health and Healing Lectureship in memory of his wife to address what he saw as critical opportunity to advance medical education. In 2013, he endowed the Drs. Vijay and Khushman Sanghvi Chair in Cardiac Imaging to advance research and technology that would minimize invasive approaches and improve longer-term outcomes. Dr. Sanghvi was the first American of Asian Indian origin to endow a Chair to the University of Cincinnati. His legacy of charitable action will be continued through the Vijay R. Sanghvi Family Foundation, which aims to promote quality of life and the public good through supporting programs in the Arts, Sciences, Education, Culture, and Justice. He is survived by two children, Rupal Sanghvi and Sejal Sanghvi. He is also survived by six siblings. A memorial service will be held at St. Monica-St. George Parish Newman Center 328 W. McMillan Street, Cincinnati, Ohio on Saturday October 17 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Vijay R Sanghvi Family Foundation, 2595 Twigwood Lane, Cincinnati, OH 45237 or to a charity of your preference.