Orthopedic Surgeon Manmohan Singh, M.D., passed away February 13, 2021 at his home in Olympia Fields, Illinois, after a long illness with Parkinson’s disease.
Best known as the originator of the “Singh Index,” a method used to predict the risk of hip fracture due to osteoporosis, Singh will always be remembered for both his brilliant mind and for his caring heart. His wife Manjit and their two sons Gurmelt and Kirpal were him in his last moments.
Singh was raised by his grandfather in Patiala, India. Although surrounded by love, he faced a lot of adversity early in life, including a childhood accident that left him with severe burns on his legs which caused an infection that almost killed him.
After medical school, he came to the U.S. on a Fulbright Scholarship in 1969 working with Drs. Mel Post and Leo Weinstein in the orthopedic department at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago. Then after training at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Singh became the director of orthopedic research at Michael Reese where he continued to explore better ways to diagnose and treat osteoporosis.
During his career, he also specialized in bone fracture, carpal tunnel syndrome, scoliosis, and sports medicine.
Singh quickly fell in love with the city of Chicago and became an avid White Sox fan. He also loved to take his family out to all of Chicago’s best restaurants and to the debut of films that were given “Two Thumbs Up” by Siskel and Ebert. He also enjoyed art and spent many hours at the Art Institute and the Museum of Contemporary Art.
What he will most be remembered, though, for his kindness to his patients and to the residents he trained. For many years, he would host a party at his home for the graduating class.
His favorite film was “The Adventures of Robin Hood” which his family says is what inspired him to be such a generous philanthropist as well. The family asks that in lieu of cards or flowers that gifts be made to one of his favorite charities—Save the Children, PO Box 97132, Washington DC, 20090-7132 or to UNICEF USA, 125 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038.
Had the privilege to meet Dr Manmohan Singh in person, very nice and kind man
My prayers and condolences to his family. I was one of the many residents who benefited from his wisdom and his extreme kindness… may he rest in peace
He an I and Mike Jablon trained together. He was a kind, thoughtful man. He attempted to track me patience. I did not always listen. He is and will be missed.