Dr. Sushil Razdan stands among the most distinguished neurologists to emerge from Jammu and Kashmir, a physician whose professional life exemplifies intellectual excellence, clinical precision, and an unwavering commitment to humanity. Over more than three and a half decades, his work has transcended geography, social divisions, and institutional boundaries, establishing him as a healer whose practice is guided by conscience as much as by science. His career reflects not merely personal achievement but a sustained dedication to alleviating human suffering, irrespective of caste, colour, creed, region, or economic condition.
From the very beginning of his medical journey, Dr. Razdan demonstrated an exceptional seriousness of purpose. He pursued his MBBS at the University of Kashmir, where his academic brilliance was consistently evident. His distinction as the Dean’s Gold Medalist and Best Outgoing Medical Graduate was not an isolated recognition but a reflection of his disciplined approach to learning and patient care. These honours acknowledged a student who combined intellectual sharpness with clinical sensitivity, someone who viewed medicine not as a profession alone but as a moral responsibility toward society.
His postgraduate training further strengthened this foundation. Completing his MD in General Medicine at the University of Kashmir, Dr. Razdan developed a comprehensive understanding of internal medicine, which would later become one of the defining strengths of his neurological practice. This grounding enabled him to view neurological disorders not in isolation but within the broader context of systemic health, lifestyle factors, and coexisting medical conditions. Such a holistic perspective is essential in neurology, where symptoms often reflect complex interactions between multiple systems of the body.
Driven by a desire to specialize in one of the most demanding branches of medicine, Dr. Razdan proceeded to the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, to pursue his DM in Neurology. PGIMER is widely regarded as one of India’s most rigorous and prestigious medical institutions, and training there requires intellectual endurance, clinical excellence, and emotional resilience. During his time at PGIMER, Dr. Razdan was exposed to advanced neurological sciences, cutting-edge research, and high-volume clinical practice involving some of the most complex neurological cases. This period refined his diagnostic abilities and reinforced his commitment to evidence-based, ethical medical practice.
Upon completing his super-specialization, Dr. Razdan returned with a clear resolve: to apply the highest standards of neurological care in service of people who often had limited access to such expertise. Over the subsequent decades, he accumulated more than 35 years of experience in neurology and neuroscience, addressing a wide spectrum of neurological disorders. His areas of specialization include seizure disorders, cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke and brain hemorrhage, aneurysms, and neuro-epidemiology, along with numerous other conditions affecting the central and peripheral nervous systems.
Neurological disorders are often sudden, life-altering, and emotionally devastating—not only for patients but also for their families. Treating such conditions requires more than technical skill; it demands patience, clarity of communication, and the ability to inspire confidence during moments of profound uncertainty. Dr. Razdan has consistently demonstrated these qualities. His approach to patients is marked by careful listening, precise evaluation, and transparent explanation of diagnosis and treatment options. For countless individuals, his interventions have meant not only survival but restoration of dignity, independence, and hope.
Dr. Razdan’s professional journey has been closely associated with some of the most prominent medical institutions in the region and beyond. He has served with distinction at the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in Srinagar, SMHS Hospital in Kashmir, and ASCOMS Hospital in Jammu. His association with Medanta – The Medicity in Gurugram further reflects his national standing as a neurologist of high repute. Yet, despite exposure to premier institutions and opportunities beyond the region, his professional focus has remained deeply rooted in Jammu and Kashmir.
After shifting his base to Jammu, Dr. Razdan continued to maintain an active and enduring connection with Srinagar. He frequently travels to the city, where long queues of patients wait for his consultation. These patients arrive from diverse parts of the Valley, including remote rural areas, often after exhausting other avenues of treatment. Their presence is testimony to the trust he has built over decades—trust grounded in consistent results, ethical conduct, and humane interaction. For many families, his name is synonymous with hope in moments of medical crisis.
What truly distinguishes Dr. Razdan is his steadfast commitment to treating every patient with equal care and seriousness. In a region often shaped by social, political, and economic complexities, his medical practice has remained firmly neutral and inclusive. He has never allowed considerations of religion, caste, social status, or regional identity to influence his professional judgment. The patient, in his view, is always a human being in need, deserving of respect and compassion. This unwavering principle has earned him respect across communities and generations, making him a unifying figure in healthcare.
Beyond clinical practice, Dr. Razdan has made significant contributions to medical research, particularly in the field of neuro-epidemiology. His research interests have been notably grounded in the realities of Jammu and Kashmir, with a focus on populations that are often underrepresented in mainstream medical studies. At a time when research frequently concentrates on urban and well-resourced settings, Dr. Razdan directed his attention toward remote and marginalized regions such as Doda, Poonch, and Kathua.
His research on the prevalence of deaf-mutism in Doda district brought attention to genetic, environmental, and social determinants of neurological disability in isolated communities. Similarly, his studies on childhood disabilities in border-area regions like R.S. Pura highlighted urgent public health concerns related to early diagnosis, intervention, and long-term care. These studies were not undertaken merely to add to academic literature but to influence policy, awareness, and healthcare planning in regions that had long remained neglected.
Dr. Razdan’s scholarly contributions have been published in several respected national and international journals, including the Indian Journal of Human Genetics, Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology, Epilepsy Research and Treatment, Journal of Tropical Pediatrics, Case Reports in Pulmonology, and Clinical Cases in Mineral and Bone Metabolism. Through these publications, he ensured that neurological health challenges specific to Jammu and Kashmir gained visibility in global medical discourse. His work stands as an important bridge between local realities and international scientific engagement.
Equally significant is his involvement in community health initiatives and free medical services. Dr. Razdan has consistently participated in free medical camps and outreach programs, reaffirming his belief that specialized medical knowledge must reach those who cannot afford it. In 2022, he examined more than 300 patients during a free medical camp organized in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir Police in Srinagar. Such initiatives are particularly vital in regions where access to specialist care remains limited. His participation in neurology camps organized by mission hospitals in Jammu further reflects his dedication to inclusive healthcare delivery.
Dr. Razdan has also been a vocal advocate for preventive neurology, especially in relation to stroke—a condition that remains one of the leading causes of death and disability. In public interactions and interviews, he has repeatedly emphasized that a large proportion of strokes are preventable. His focus on lifestyle modification, including balanced diet, regular physical activity, avoidance of smoking, and strict control of hypertension and diabetes, reflects a forward-looking vision of medicine. By communicating these messages in clear and accessible language, he has contributed meaningfully to public awareness and preventive healthcare.
Among his peers and younger medical professionals, Dr. Razdan is widely respected not only for his expertise but also for his humility and ethical clarity. He is known as a super-specialist who remains approachable, willing to share knowledge, and committed to mentoring younger doctors. In an era increasingly influenced by commercialization and time pressures, his practice serves as a reminder of medicine’s core values—patience, integrity, and service. Many young doctors regard him as a role model whose career demonstrates that professional success and moral responsibility need not be mutually exclusive.
Dr. Sushil Razdan’s life and career together form a narrative of sustained excellence and quiet service. His achievements are considerable, but it is the manner in which he has pursued them—with restraint, dignity, and compassion—that defines his true legacy. He has healed minds, saved lives, advanced knowledge, and served humanity without discrimination. His continued engagement with Srinagar, despite being based in Jammu, reflects not obligation but commitment to people who have placed their trust in him during their most vulnerable moments.
In the larger story of medical service in Jammu and Kashmir, Dr. Razdan occupies a place of enduring respect. His work has strengthened the moral fabric of medical practice, reminding society that true healing extends beyond prescriptions and procedures. As patients continue to seek his counsel and younger doctors look to his example, his legacy continues to grow—not as a monument of personal acclaim, but as a living testament to what medicine, guided by conscience and compassion, can achieve.
The writer can be reached at sanjaypanditasp@gmail.com
