Mangaluru: Rev. Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho, Director of Father Muller Charitable Institutions (FMCI), commemorated 37 years of priesthood, including 14 years of transformative leadership at FMCI, with heartfelt celebrations and tributes from colleagues and well-wishers. Widely respected for his humility and spiritual vision, Fr Richard’s tenure has profoundly shaped FMCI into a beacon of holistic and modern healthcare in Karnataka.

From assistant to architect of growth

Fr Richard began his FMCI journey as Assistant Director, later serving as Administrator and Director In-Charge, before officially taking over as Director in 2017. Throughout these roles, he has demonstrated consistent leadership rooted in faith, compassion, and innovation.

Under his stewardship, FMCI has achieved several milestones:

  • Transition to a paperless hospital ecosystem

  • Procurement of advanced diagnostic tools like 3 Tesla and 1.5 Tesla MRI scanners

  • Establishment of state-of-the-art radiotherapy systems

  • Overhaul of the 35-year-old Outpatient Department (OPD) block

  • Strategic infrastructure expansion and modernisation

His vision has seamlessly blended tradition with modernity, placing FMCI at the forefront of healthcare delivery and medical education in the region.

Accreditations and institutional excellence

A key achievement of Fr Richard’s tenure has been securing premier healthcare accreditations, making FMCI the first institution in Karnataka to simultaneously hold:

  • NAAC accreditation for education

  • NABH for hospital standards

  • NABL for laboratory excellence

This triple recognition stands as a testament to his dedication to quality and operational excellence.

A legacy that mirrors the founder

Fr Richard’s leadership is often likened to that of Rev. Fr Augustus Muller, the founder of FMCI. His quiet strength, pastoral care, and commitment to the mission of “Heal and Comfort” reflect a deep spiritual continuity with FMCI’s roots.

A heartfelt celebration

To mark this milestone, Fr Ajith Menezes, Administrator of FMMC, led a warm tribute, complete with a specially inscribed cake and a jasmine garland—a nod to Fr Richard’s ancestral home of Shirva Maligay. Fellow administrators Fr George Jeevan Sequeira, Fr Nelson Pais, and Fr Nilesh Crasta joined the celebration, commending his calm leadership and enduring devotion.

In a community that spans healthcare workers, educators, students, and patients, Fr Richard is revered not just as a leader, but as a mentor and guide. His presence continues to inspire FMCI’s mission, bringing together spiritual commitment and professional excellence in service to humanity.