In Memoriam - Dr. L.B.M. Joseph

We’ve learned from Dr. Nesa Joseph that his father, Dr. L.B.M. Joseph passed away on the afternoon of December 4, 2012 surrounded by loving family, in the home of Nesa’s brother Dr. Inba Kumar Joseph. Dr. L.B.M. spent his 85 years caring for others as a highly skilled cardiac surgeon.  He also served as CMC’s Director from 1974 – 1987.

Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Blessed Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa) visited CMC during Dr. Joseph's tenure as Director.  Among his many accomplishments, Dr. Joseph: commissioned CMC’s first air-conditioned operating rooms; established the Haemo-Dialysis Unit; began the training for the rural  poor and identified areas of community need at RUHSA; and introduced Betatron equipment to treat cancer patients.

Dr. Joseph wrote and published a memoir about his work as surgeon titled “I Cut, God Heals.” His book speaks to the firm faith that he held throughout his life and how his faith guided his work as a surgeon and as CMC’s Director.

Dr. Joseph’s funeral will be held on Saturday, December 8th in the CMC Hospital Chapel at Noon. His burial will be at Tolgate Cemetery.  The family has suggested memorial gifts be made through the Vellore CMC Foundation.

You guide me with your counsel and afterward you will receive me to glory (Psalm 73:24)

 

The Inaugural Dr. Ida S. Scudder Memorial Oration

To honour the memory of Dr. Ida S. Scudder, the Vellore Christian Medical College Foundation in New York, together with the Christian Medical College Vellore, has established the Dr. Ida S. Scudder Memorial Oration. The purpose of the Oration is not only to recognize her immense contribution to the development and expansion of medical Service in India, but also to draw attention to the inspiring qualities of her character and life so that members of the healthcare professions may continue to emulate and embody these in their lives and service.

We are proud that His Excellency Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (left), honourable former President of India, has accepted our invitation to deliver the first Dr. Ida S. Scudder Oration at The Christian Medical College Vellore on Friday August 10, 2012. For further information and to view the program, click here.

To Watch a Video of the Ceremony: click here.

Update. The ceremony was an impressive tribute to Dr. Ida S. Scudder's legacy.  For a detailed account of it, check out the CMC Newline at this link.

To read Dr. Abdul Kalan's full speech: follow this link.

 

In Memoriam: Mr. Jacob Chacko

Mr. Jacob Chacko passed away on August 2nd in San Antonio, TX at the age of 87.  An engineer who worked for several major US corporations, including Bell Labs, Mr. Chacko had close family and personal ties to CMC including his nephew, Dr. Abraham Joseph. His late wife Mary Chacko started the Social Welfare Department at CMC in the late 1940’s. For many years, the Chackos lived in New Jersey and were very active with the Vellore CMC Foundation (formerly known as the Vellore CMC Board).

His family has requested that gifts in Mr. Chacko’s memory be made to CMC through the Vellore CMC Foundation either by using the donation page on this site with a credit card or sending a check to:

The Vellore CMC Foundation
475 Riverside Drive Ste 725
New York, NY 10115

Please note that your gift is in memory of Mr. Jacob Chacko so the Foundation can notify his family of your thoughtfulness.

 

CMC’S Computer Disaster Recovery
Management Grant

On June 1, 2012, the Computer Disaster Recovery Management System was inaugurated at the Christian Medical College in Vellore, India.  Jointly funded by CMC and a grant from the American Hospitals and Schools Abroad (ASHA) division of USAID, the ceremony was attended by several prominent dignitaries, including Mr. Steven T. Smith Health Attache and Regional Representative of South Asia from the US Department of Health and Human Services (pictured above) and Mr. Ajoy Yadav, the Honorurable District Collector of Vellore.  The new system backs up CMC’s entire network of 6 hospitals and thousands of files generated daily, from the 5000 outpatients visiting the hospitals to the 4,474 prescriptions filled.  To read more about the System, the event and CMC’s long-term relationship with ASHA, follow this link to the article in CMC’s Weekline Newsletter.

 

Clinic at New Chittoor Campus

CMC has begun to treat patients at their new Chittoor campus with the construction of this temporary outpatient clinic. Construction is under way to complete the campus.

 

CMC Given Go-ahead to Expand Educational Programs to Meet the Needs of a Growing Nation

 The past two years has been a dynamic time in the Indian medical establishment.  The winds of change began to blow through agencies and institutions that had been static for many years.  As part of the new era, CMC has received approvals for much-needed expansion in its academic offerings.     
 
CMC administrators are excited that government and academic authorities have recently approved nine new courses of study for post graduate physicians at CMC.  These include MDs in Geriatrics, Transfusion Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, Hepatology, Neonatology, Endocrine Surgery and Vascular Surgery.  Of these specialties, Geriatrics and Rheumatology will be offered by CMC for the first time ever, which is important given a general neglect of the two fields in India.  In addition, nine new undergraduate courses have been added in Allied Health fields. 

 Officials have promised CMC an increase in MBBS (undergraduate) seats from 60 to 100, but final approval is still pending.  Also expected are increases in BSc nursing students and BSc post-Diploma conversion candidates.  Approvals for added post graduate seats total 75 with 15 more pending.   All the courses are at least 3 years in length, so the increases will add at least 225 post grad doctors to the CMC staff. The new courses will also allow more people to develop in their specialties within CMC, rather than going outside the institution for post graduate training.  The additional programs will also give more opportunity to attract talent to CMC. These new doctors will be productive members of their clinical teams, giving relief to existing hard-pressed clinicians who are now seeing upwards of 6,000 people a day.

 

Vellore Christian Medical College on YouTube

There are two wonderful YouTube videos now up about Christian Medical College that are definitely worthy of note.  Taken together, they cover the history of the institution from it's founding, over a hundred years ago, to the current decade.  One is the voice of Dr. Ida S. Scudder herself narrating a presentation about her background and the the founding of CMC.

Video: Dr. Ida S. Scudder's Presentation

The other video is Home of Healing God, a professionally produced video by an Australian filmmaker, which shows the work now being done at the institution .  Co-produced by the Vellore Foundation in New York a few years ago, we highly recommend you watch it and share it with anyone you think might find it interesting.

Video: Home of a Healing God