Obituary: Dr. Sreedhar Nair

Dr. Sreedhar Nair, 85, of Norwalk, Conn., and Longboat Key, died March 3.

Born July 28, 1928, in Trivandrum, India, he earned his medical degree at age 22 from the University of Madras. In 1951, Dr. Nair came to the United States for his medical residency and fellowship training at the New York Medical College Metropolitan Hospital. He was an Eli Lilly Research Fellow and co-discovered cycloserine, an anti-tuberculosis drug that is still used to treat drug-resistant tuberculosis.

Dr. Nair was one of the first board-certified physicians in pulmonary medicine. He moved in 1958 to Norwalk and began his career in pulmonary and critical-care medicine. He founded the Norwalk Medical Group with four other physicians in 1962 and led the development of Norwalk Hospital’s Critical Care Unit.

Dr. Nair founded and served as the president of the National Emphysema Foundation (NEF). The NEF helps to increase public awareness of emphysema by supporting advocacy, education and research.

Dr. Nair is survived by his wife of 59 years, Rhoda; children, Laurence Nair, Ronald Nair and Karyn Bhak; brother, Kesav; five grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the National Emphysema Foundation, 128 East Ave., Norwalk, CT 06851 or to Norwalk Hospital Pulmonary Section, norwalkhospital.org.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Contact [email protected] for details.