In January of 2019, Christian Medical College, Vellore (CMC) celebrated the official opening of the new extensions to the Mary Verghese Rehabilitation Institute. The start of the project was announced at the Golden Anniversary gala for the Institute in 2016, specifying that the expansion was needed to allow CMC to serve more patients, accommodate growing staff needs and prepare for the increase in demand associated with the opening of the new Trauma Center. CMC’s successful undertaking of the expansion resulted in the increase of bed capacity from 83 to 100.
Of special note is that the expansion of the Institute also included the opening of advanced facilities for education and research, including the opening of a new medical library sponsored by the Vellore CMC Foundation of New York. With the support of donors dating back to the early days of Dr. Mary Verghese, the Foundation donated $45,000 toward this academic expansion effort.
The Library extension was inaugurated by Dr. Honorine Ward, Chair, Vellore CMC Foundation and Dr. Anna Pulimood, Principal of the Christian Medical College, on January 25, 2019.
Other dedication ceremonies held in January at the Mary Varghese Rehab Institute included:
- New “Golden Jubilee” floor, inaugurated by Mr. Barkos Warjri, IAS and Dr. Sunil Chandy, Former. Director and the Golden Jubilee private ward by Dr. J.V. Peter, Director and Dr. Suranjan Bhattacharji, Former Director.
- New Pediatric Ward and Therapy Facility was opened by Dr. Johnny Oommen, Vice Chairman, CMC Vellore Association and Dr. Prasad Mathews, Medical Superintendent.
- Renovations to existing private wards, declared opened by Dr. Suranjan Bhattacharji, Mr. Ebenezer Sunderraj, General Superintendent and Dr. Premila Lee, Nursing Superintendent
The Rehabilitation Institute was opened by Dr. Mary Verghese on the 26th of November, 1966. Patients are admitted into the Rehabilitation Institute for an average stay of 10-12 weeks for functional restoration. They undergo forty hours of therapy per week including patient education and group discussions. Several thousand people with disabilities (stemming from amputation, polio, cerebral palsy, stroke, neuromuscular and musculoskeletal disorders or injuries to brain and spinal cord) have been rehabilitated and reintegrated into the community by a multi-disciplinary team of Doctors, Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Speech Therapists, Psychologist, Social Workers, Prosthetists and Orthotists. Currently the Rehabilitation Institute is recognized as a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center.