Clearwater Free Clinic Mourns the Loss of Long-Time Volunteer Cardiologist, Dr. Muni L. Narayan

Image Description: Photo of Dr. Narayan. He is smiling and wearing glasses and a blue button down shirt.

The Clearwater Free Clinic mourns the loss of long-time volunteer cardiologist, Dr. Muni L. Narayan, who passed away on Tuesday at the age 83. Having grown up poor in India, Dr. Narayan understood the necessity of providing much-needed medical care for underserved communities. His family stated that while in private practice, Dr. Narayan never refused a patient for their inability to pay.

 Dr. “M.L.” and his wife Janaki, moved to the United States from India in 1971.  After completing his fellowship training in Miami, they moved to Clearwater to begin a Cardiology practice that continued for 39 years.  In 1977, Dr. Narayan began volunteering at the Clearwater Free Clinic, just as we were getting incorporated as a nonprofit. He was an avid volunteer throughout his time in private practice and continued to dedicate his free time to the Clinic after retiring in 2006.

In 2015, Dr. Narayan furthered his commitment to the Clearwater Free Clinic by donating his medical office building. This gift of real estate was sold and the proceeds launched a capital campaign to purchase our current Clinic space, a larger building that enabled us to expand our clinical services. 

Dr. Narayan also served on the Clinic’s Board of Directors from 2017 to 2021. When asked why he volunteers he stated, “Sickness does not differentiate between rich and poor. This is why people should support the clinic.”

The Clearwater Free Clinic will be forever grateful to Dr. Narayan for his steadfast commitment to the Clinic and his lifetime of helping others. 

Dr. Narayan is survived by his wife of 51 years, Janaki; daughters, Sujani and Sanitha; and four grandchildren.