Dr Nitin Shah
Professor of Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine
Loma Linda University Health | Loma Linda, California, US
Janam Bhumi:
Nandurbar, Maharashtra
Dharma Bhumi:
Mumbai, Maharashtra
Karma Bhumi:
Southern California, US
Doctor by Training, Humanitarian by Calling
The ‘Nitin’ Factor: “Service that endures is service that empowers.”
THE MAN
Almost an octogenarian, Dr Nitin Shah has had an extremely successful career – one that enables him to retire and relax. But, for Dr Shah, it has never been about fame, money or material comforts. Guided by values of simplicity, spirituality, and service, Dr Shah has continued to live with purpose, dedicating his time and expertise to causes greater than himself.
The values are an inheritance from his modest upbringing. Born in Mumbai in 1952, Dr Shah was raised in his maternal grandparents’ home in Nandurbar due to childhood health concerns. He recalls, “We didn’t have electricity or running water sometimes, but we had love, values, and spirituality always.”
His maternal grandfather—a devout Jain— instilled in him the foundational principles of ‘ahimsa’ (non-violence) and ‘aparigraha’ (non-possessiveness), which have now become his guiding compass, both as a personal ethos and professional identity.
Though naturally inclined toward engineering, Dr Shah honoured his parents’ and family’s wishes and pursued medicine. He completed his MBBS and then an MD in anaesthesiology at Vadodara Medical College.
Even as a doctor in training, Dr Shah was known not just for his clinical prowess but also for his humility, integrity, and quiet leadership. Over time, he would become a globally respected physician but would never lose touch with his roots. After all, he often says, “Degrees and titles don’t define us. The character does.”
THE JOURNEY
Dr Shah’s journey to the US wasn’t a conventional professional decision. It was motivated by a personal one. His wife Sheela, who was also a fellow anaesthesiologist, was diagnosed with breast cancer, and that prompted the move to the US in search of better treatment options. Navigating a foreign country with limited means, Dr Shah accepted a research position at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, working under Dr Robert Bedford.
Sheela eventually succumbed to the disease and as broken as he was, Dr Shah did not waver from his commitment to his child or his profession.
His career in anaesthesiology and critical care spans continents and decades, including roles as Chief of the Surgical ICU at the Long Beach Veterans Administration Healthcare System and Professor of Anaesthesiology at Loma Linda University Health. His contributions to medicine are distinguished not only by his clinical expertise and research in the field of monitoring but also by his deep empathy and advocacy for the underserved.
In 2013, he found renewed joy and balance through his marriage to Kinna. Together, they have built a life of shared purpose grounded in family, faith, and service.
THE SPIRIT WITHIN
Dr Shah’s most defining work has been beyond hospital walls and classrooms. His Jain values enable him to see ‘seva’ as a sacred offering. He says, “Service is not a side project. It’s a way of life.”
Whether packing hygiene kits with children or treating patients in remote clinics, every act is infused with humility and purpose. “You want children to understand compassion? Let them serve. Let them pack a hygiene kit, hand it to someone in need, and see what giving feels like,” he says. His philosophy is simple: doing is believing.
He teaches courses like ‘Inter-religious Approaches to Compassion in Action’, blending faith-based insights with practical tools — organising health fairs, cooking for the homeless, responding to disasters. “Spirituality doesn’t need a platform,” he says. “It needs consistency.”
Dr Shah also champions those who give not just money, but time. “People who donate large sums are recognised quickly. But those who give time—it may take a lifetime, and many go unnoticed. Still, both are essential.”
THE LEGACY
Dr Shah’s true legacy lies in the lives he continues to uplift. He is the Founding President of the Anekant Community Center and Aparigrah Foundation, which have organised hundreds of medical camps, disaster relief efforts, and community health programmes across the globe. His 25-year dream of providing free surgeries to underserved patients in Southern California is finally coming true, with the first four patients receiving surgery free of charge in August this year. Dr Shah retired, encouraged by his wife and son, to dedicate himself fully to the work he loves—humanitarian service. His wife Kinna is his constant support, joining missions when possible. His son offers strategic guidance, while his son-in-law, a scrub technician, often volunteers with him on outreach missions in LA. Even Dr Shah’s eldest grandson pitches in with research support. He has led high-impact medical missions across Fiji, Africa, Jamaica, Mexico, and India. In the US, he has organised blood drives, health fairs, including the annual Anaheim Health Fair. There are more missions in the pipeline and Dr Shah has no intention of putting a pause on his service. “Life”, he says, “is a continuous journey,” and Dr Shah’s life is his message. Leading by example, Dr Shah is only just getting started.
MAPPING THE INDIA WITHIN
Bharat: Then and Now
“As a child, Bharat was just my homeland, a place with few opportunities, basic infrastructure, and limited connectivity, especially in Nandurbar where there were no colleges, cars, or televisions. We only had radios. Growing up in bustling Mumbai and quaint Nandurbar shaped my world view then. Today, Bharat means much more: it gave me my medical education, values, and purpose. Since 1999, I’ve returned yearly for humanitarian missions. While communication has advanced with widespread mobile networks and Wi-Fi, civic awareness and public discipline remains the same. For me, Bharat is no longer just a place, but a commitment.”
Bharatiya Values that Travelled
“My journey mirrors Bharat’s core values of resilience and selfless service. Since founding the Anekant Community Center in 2005 and the Aparigrah Foundation in 2021, I’ve supported underprivileged communities across 29 countries. This spirit of unity in diversity and dedication to purpose reflects the Bharatiya values I inherited from my parents and maternal grandparents. Rooted in Jain principles of Ahimsa, Anekantvad, and Aparigrah that also inspire our foundations, I live and teach these values on every humanitarian mission, as they form the ethical foundation of who I am.”
Generations Abroad: A New Bharatiya Identity
“Volunteerism is the legacy I carry from Bharat—not just an action, but a lifelong commitment to compassion that I hope future generations in my family will continue. For over 26 years, I have returned annually to bridge American systems with Indian needs. Though my children often critique India’s inefficiencies, I view their scepticism as a new form of engagement that, if guided well, can drive meaningful reform. Together, we remain connected by our shared roots and a vision for a rising, resilient, and united Bharat on the global stage.”
Pride, Progress, and the Spirit Of Bharat
“I live by the ideal of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’—the world is one family. My global humanitarian missions are an extension of this core Bharatiya belief. The ability to impact lives across continents while remaining rooted in Indian values defines my life’s pride and potential.”
Dreams for the Youth and Future of Bharat
“I would ask the youth of today to be patient, be content, be disciplined, and do your part to elevate Bharat to new heights. No doubt, our country has made incredible progress, but struggles remain, especially with indiscipline, intolerance, and corruption. I hope the next generation nurtures public discipline, transparency, and reforms that reduce red tape and strengthen institutions like banking. But nothing can change the pride I feel to be a Bharatiya. My Motherland’s influence has shaped who I am today, and for that I owe endless gratitude to her.”
BACK TO THE FUTURE – IN FIVE MOMENTS
Food Cravings
THEN
‘Pani puris’ were my ultimate favourite.
NOW
I still love them, but now I am wary of street hygiene, so my kids enjoy them at restaurants or at home.
Sport Spirit
THEN
‘Gully’ (street) cricket all day long with no screens and no distractions.
NOW
Cricket is gone. Mobile gaming has taken over, often to the point of addiction.
Music Tastes
THEN
Kishore Kumar ruled the air waves. English music was rare, mostly due to lack of access and limited understanding.
NOW
Hindi music has taken a back seat. Taylor Swift plays more frequently in our house.
Holiday Life
THEN
Visiting maternal grandparents and taking spiritual pilgrimages.
NOW
Travelling globally and exploring new countries and cultures.
Leisure Habits
THEN
Reading books and listening to radio for songs and cricket commentary.
NOW
Reading continues, but screens dominate, whether for gaming or online content.
AKA
Dr. Nitin Shah Loma Linda University Health | Dr. Nitin Shah Loma Linda University | Loma Linda University Health Anesthesiology Professor | Loma Linda University Critical Care Faculty
