In Memoriam: Amol S. Lele, MD

Lele, board certified in general obstetrics and gynecology as well as maternal-fetal medicine, was actively involved in clinical care for the Buffalo and Western New York community for more than three decades.

She was a faculty member at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences — and a member of the Kaleida Health staff at the former Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo — from 1979 until her retirement in 2016. 

Lele was the former associate director of maternal-fetal medicine and the obstetrics director of outreach programs for the Regional Perinatal Center of Western New York at Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo. There, she was committed to providing the best care to women with the highest risk factors for pregnancy.

Additionally, she served as a president of the Buffalo Gynecologic and Obstetric Society.

Lele earned her medical degree at the University of Bombay, now known as the University of Mumbai, in 1967. She completed an obstetrics and gynecology residency at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cleveland before moving to Buffalo to pursue fellowship training in maternal-fetal medicine, which she completed in 1979. 

Lele was held in the highest regard by her patients, trainees and the many medical professionals with whom she collaborated. 

Throughout her career, she was recognized for her strong commitment to medicine. 

Multiple times, residents she trained voted her as “educator of the year.” In 2013, the Buffalo Prenatal Perinatal Network honored her at its Great Baby Beginnings event for her dedication to children and for the education and mentoring she provided.

Lele was also honored as Physician of the Year by the Association of Asian American Physicians, and she was recognized by Planned Parenthood.

“I believe that if a patient understands the decision making process better, when they have confidence that they are being managed appropriately, outcomes improve,” Lele once said. 

Professor and outgoing chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vanessa M. Barnabei, MD, PhD, notes: “Dr. Lele was deeply committed to passing her knowledge and care to the next generation of obstetrician-gynecologists. We will all miss her kindness, gentleness and generosity of spirit.”

Surviving Lele are her husband, Shashikant B. Lele, MD, clinical professor emeritus of obstetrics and gynecology; her daughter, Rajal Lele Young, an attorney; her son, Kedar S. Lele, DDS, a pediatric dentist; and three grandchildren.