Dr Sukumar Rajendra: Leading psychiatrist and father-of-two suddenly dies aged 48 – as his final selfless act is revealed
Devastated friends and family of a psychiatrist who suffered a fatal stroke at the age of 48 have revealed his last act was to donate organs to people in need.
Dr. Sukumar Rajendran died last week surrounded by his family and loved ones after desperate efforts to save him failed.
The leading doctor was remembered as an ‘intelligent, thoughtful, trustworthy and compassionate man’ who was held in the ‘highest esteem’ among colleagues.
He ran the Mind Oasis clinic in Strathfield in Sydney’s west, where he specialized in the treatment of adult ADHD, mood disorders and anxiety.
It followed years of working at Concord Repatriation General Hospital and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in consultation liaison and drug and alcohol service roles.
The celebrated psychiatrist was also known as a devoted family man after marrying wife Katy Baker six years ago and having two sons, Air, four, and Jai, two.
A celebrated psychiatrist and beloved family man, Dr. Sukumar Rajendran (right), has died suddenly of a stroke, leaving behind his wife Katy Baker (left) and two young sons.
His friend and colleague of over 15 years, Charles Chan, revealed in a GoFundMe for the family that Dr. Rajendran donated his organs after his death.
“In his final moments, he continued to show his selflessness by donating his organs, giving the gift of life to several people in need,” Mr Chan wrote.
The pair had worked together at the same clinic for the past four years and he paid tribute to the medic at the professional fund post.
“I can tell you firsthand how committed he was to staying abreast of the best practices in our field,” Mr. Chan wrote.
Known by his nickname Suke, Mr Chan added that Dr Rajendran was more than a great psychiatrist, but a “great friend, dedicated professional and a true pillar of our community”.
The fundraising page has already raised more than $13,000 in just one day, while other friends of Dr. Rajendran posted tributes to the late doctor.
After helping a number of Australians with numerous mental health issues, Dr Rajendran continued to help others by donating his organs post-mortem.
One of his friends from medical school, Kevin Chua, said in a heartfelt post on social media that one of his “favorite people in the world is gone.”
Dr. Chua said his late friend “always made people laugh and felt comfortable being laughed at” and helped him introduce his current wife.
“We both cried when he told us he was going to marry Kate Baker, we cried again when he said he was going to be a father and cried again when he said he was going to be a father for the second time,” he wrote in a post to Facebook.
“And now we cry because we can’t laugh with him at his corny jokes, or hear his pearls of wisdom.
“I’m so glad we got a chance to see him at the very end. Suks, you are greatly missed.’
A memorial service for Dr Rajendran will be held on Thursday.
