Part 3 of the CMC Foundation’s three-part series, “How CMC’S Community Outreach Services are Impacting India’s Health and Well-being”, continued to celebrate the Foundation’s 75th Anniversary while highlighting CMC’s integral outreach work in building sustainable communities. This 25-minute virtual lecture offers the personal perspective of CMC-trained physician Dr. John “Johnny-O” Oommen. In this presentation Dr. Oommen speaks about the significance of CMC’s work in community outreach within the overall mission and achievements of CMC Vellore. Community outreach that started through Dr. Ida Scudder’s “Roadside Clinics” expanded to CMC core departments of Community and Preventive Health that set the standards and ethos for all who train at CMC.

This model of healthcare also showed a ripple effect moving to other departments and the CMC diaspora at large. Dr Oommen said that community workers are called to be “The salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13)” as they cross the boundaries and “flavor”, develop insider perspectives and help communities reach their dreams. He gave many examples of CMC alumni who made community outreach their way of life like Dr. Anuradha Rose (Professor of Community Health at CMC, Head of the Department of Bioethics) and Dr. Priya Abraham (Director of the National Institution of Virology) who have done integral work in their fields while making great milestones in bringing complete wellness for all. He emphasized that in his experience, “There is a larger meaning in the little things we do and the ideas we develop locally may have a meaning and relevance far beyond our backyard!”

Dr John Cherian Oommen has lived and worked at the Christian Hospital, Bissamcuttack in Rayagada District of South Odisha for more than 30 years.