Dec 26, 2013 5 min read

WAYNESBURG – For the past six years, Dr. Sukhdev Grover has been treating pulmonary and sleep disorder patients at Southwest Regional Medical Center in Greene County. While his career spans over four decades and includes many honors, he is humble about his achievements. However, two events recently featured his aptitude, his accomplishments and the immense respect he has earned from colleagues and patient’s alike.

The first occurrence happened at the Pennsylvania Society of Respiratory Care annual conference when the committee honored Grover with a commemorative award. During his acceptance speech, he took the time to reflect on the many changes to the industry and also on his own accomplishments, which span 40 years.

A man of simple beginnings, he grew up in India and began a fascination with the United States in fourth grade. He knew someday he wanted to come here, even if he couldn’t imagine what an amazing impact he would have on the lives of so many. Grover completed his medical training in India, and it was there that he decided he wanted to be a pulmonologist.

“When I was in intern, we had 12 patients who were poisoned by a new form of insecticide. They were unable to breathe and one patient in his 20s was close to death,” Grover said. “Another doctor and I had to manually ventilate him for hours to keep him alive. The patient survived.”

After medical school, Grover came to America to complete his residency at the Medical College of Pennsylvania and fellowship at Temple University. He began his career as a physician in 1973 at St. Francis Hospital in Pittsburgh.

“I will never forget the first time I saw a mechanical ventilator. I was amazed that this machine could breathe for you twenty-four hours a day, and I knew this was what I was meant to be doing.”

While the technology of ventilators has advanced greatly, one thing that has not changed is Grover’s passion and desire to provide the best care possible for his patients.

“There was a time when many patients were written off as ventilator dependent (the inability to be weaned from a ventilator), but I didn’t give up on the idea that we should be able to help more of these patients. It took time, commitment and a lot of trial and error, but during my work at St. Francis, we were able to find techniques and practices which reduced the number of ventilator dependent patients by 50 percent.”

His contributions do not stop at just practicing medicine. Grover and his wife, Elisha, also established Foundation for World Health, which is dedicated to improving the health and well being of individuals living in India. Grover also volunteers as a leadership board member for the American Lung Association and actively supports other organizations in his community.

At the American Lung Association in Pennsylvania’s One Breath at a Time Gala, one of Grover’s patients, who was treated at Southwest Regional Medical Center, was honored as a 2013 Lung Champion for her amazing recovery.

Mary English was admitted to Southwest Regional Medical Center in October 2012 with multiple health concerns including pneumonia and a perforated bowel. English also smoked half of a pack of cigarettes each day, was diabetic and suffered from high blood pressure. Her condition required surgery and ultimately, long-term use of a ventilator. Grover and his colleagues treated English at Southwest Regional Medical Center and throughout her stay at a long-term rehabilitation facility, LifeCare Hospital in Pittsburgh.

“I was very concerned about Mary’s prognosis,” explained Grover. “She had many things working against her and it did not look promising. However, our treatment plan, coupled with her willingness to make lifestyle changes, enabled her to get better. The level of her recovery is truly miraculous and is the reason why she was named as a Lung Champion.”

English, Dr. and Mrs. Grover and Cindy Cowie, CEO of Southwest Regional Medical Center, attended the Gala along with English’s family and friends.

“Dr. Grover saved my life, and it was amazing to be part of this celebration, which was a once in a lifetime experience for me and my family,” said English, 2013 Lung Champion. “I can’t thank (the doctors) and Southwest Regional Medical Center enough for bringing me back from where I was. With the help of my family and friends (Glen Carter, Matilda Carter and Jill Wright), I am now living a much healthier lifestyle. I quit smoking over a year ago and take better care of myself. The Gala was truly a night I will never forget, and I am grateful for every breath every day.”

Grover is triple board certified in internal medicine, pulmonary medicine and sleep medicine. He owns and operates Lifecare Medical Associates and many Sleep Center locations across Southwestern Pennsylvania.