DR.
SURJIT SINGH PATHEJA CONFERRED WITH DOCTORATE DEGREE BY VALPARAISO
UNIVERSITY IN INDIANA
Valparaiso, Indiana, Aug 25, 2008
Raj.Mago, Chicago
Dr. Surjit Singh Patheja M.D., a philanthropist and a past chairman
(1995-96) of the Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago (PCS) www.PCSChicago.org
was recently conferred with an honorary doctorate degree by Valparaiso
University, in Valparaiso, Indiana. A luncheon reception for Dr.
Patheja, his family, friends and the dignitaries was also organized
by the university prior to the ceremony. While honoring Dr. Patheja
with the degree at the annual Valparaiso University graduation
ceremonies, the university president Dr. Alan F. Harre remarked,
“Dr. Surjit Patheja has helped improve the quality of life
for countless people throughout the world, both because of his
skills as a medical doctor and his dedication as a philanthropist
and humanitarian.”
Educated in Burma where Dr. Patheja received his medical degree
he maintained a family practice there for several years before
emigrating to the United States in 1964 where he received specialty
training in radiology. He served medical internships and residencies
in the U.S. and earned certification in radiology and nuclear
medicine from the American Board of Medical Specialties. He moved
to Valparaiso in 1971 and began a successful practice in radiology.
For more than 30 years he held a variety of administrative and
management roles at the Valparaiso hospital campus of Porter and
also served other hospitals in Northwest Indiana. He served terms
as director of the Department of Radiology and chief of staff
at Porter. He is a past president of the Porter County Medical
Society, the Indiana Medical Association of Northwest Indiana
and the 10th District Medical Society.
Dr. Patheja has been active in numerous local, regional and international
projects to promote international understanding. He is a past
president of the Sikh Religious Society of Chicago and has been
active in the Sikh Religious Society of Indiana. Dr. Patheja is
a regular sponsor of student scholarships at Punjabi Cultural
Society of Chicago’s annual “PCS Graduation Night.”
He chaired the World Community Service Committee of the Valparaiso
Rotary Club, has supported projects to provide artificial limbs,
wheelchairs and computer-aided devices for persons with disabilities
in India, Bangladesh and Romania, as well as projects to provide
water to residents of the Philippines, dental chairs to citizens
of British Guyana and funds for orphans in Hungary.
His commitment to the understanding of other cultures and to
world peace is evident in his creation of the endowed chair in
world religions and ethics at Valparaiso University. The Surjit
Singh Patheja, M.D., chair in world religions and ethics at Valparaiso
University is a tool in educating the campus and larger communities
of the common core of ethical teachings that lie at the heart
of world religions.
Valparaiso University, an International Lutheran University founded
in 1859, is an independent coeducational institution of higher
education with historic ties to the Lutheran Church. The Punjabi
Cultural Society of Chicago is a not-for-profit community organization
devoted to promoting Punjabi culture, language, performing arts,
healthy life style, sports, education and good citizenship, in
the metropolitan Chicago area. For further information please
contact: PUNJABI CULTURAL SOCIETY of CHICAGO , P.O. Box 1244 ,
Palatine , IL 60078
DR.
SURJIT SINGH PATHEJA