Albion doctor retires after more than 4 decades

Dr. Satya Sahukar has been a committed pediatrician

Photos by Tom Rivers

Dr. Sahukar addresses a crowd of well wishers during a retirement reception in his honor at Oak Orchard Health.

Dr. Nancy Ciavarri thanks Dr. Satya Sahukar for his mentorship and service to the community.

ALBION – Dr. Satya Sahukar retired today, more than 44 years after he started as a pediatrician in the Albion community.

He was recognized at a reception at Oak Orchard Health’s Albion site this afternoon at 301 West Ave. He is pictured next to Dr. Nancy Ciavarri, the chief medical officer for Oak Orchard, and some of Sahukar’s family, friends and colleagues.

Sahukar worked at Arnold Gregory Memorial Hospital in Albion and then Lakeside Memorial Hospital in Brockport, before both of those small town hospitals closed. The past eight years he has worked at Oak Orchard Health.

“He has been committed to the community,” said Jim Cummings, the chief executive officer for Oak Orchard Health.

Cummings said physicians and professionals used to make long-term commitments to a community, but these days there is a lot of moving around.

“He is from a generation when doctors stayed,” Cummings said.

Sahukar was recruited to work in Albion by cardiologist John Fernandez, who is now retired. Sahukar grew to love Albion and the local residents. He and his wife, Mary Janet Sahukar, raised four children in Albion. Mrs. Sahukar is a nurse.

Sahukar joined the Albion Lions Club in 1975 and has remained an active member. He made himself available for families and children, although he tried to guard his Monday bridge nights.

“I really liked the community once I started knowing the people,” Sahukar told the group at his reception. “I just love the community.”

Dr. Nancy Ciavarri, the chief medical officer for Oak Orchard, has worked with Sahukar for several years.

“He has been a mentor to many of the younger physicians,” she said at his reception today.

Sahukar kept a “calm demeanor” in his job and surrounded himself with very good nurses and staff, Ciavarri said.

She thanked his family “for allowing him to care for the community.”

Sahukar said he plans to stay in the Albion community and play more bridge and golf.