VOICES WINTER 2021
New York, NY | vellorecmc.org
of VELLORE
"At CMC, you're exposed to some of the most cutting-edge technologies at the main hospital, but then you're also getting posted in some of the most underserved villages and you have to come up with creative solutions to help people."
- DR. ANKIT BHARAT Click here to view the full interview with Dr. Philip Ninan and Dr. Ankit Bharat
Innovation In Service of Humanity: An Interview with Dr. Ankit Bharat (Batch '97)
Pennsylvania
with
a
pretty
good
scholarship. I had my dorm room selected and flight booked, but I was called back to CMC [after I’d given my written exam].
I
n June 2020, CMC alumnus, Dr. Ankit Bharat (Batch ’97), performed the first double lung transplant on a COVID-19
patient at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, IL. Prior to this pioneering achievement, Dr. Bharat had already distinguished himself as a skilled surgeon and scientist. Among many leadership positions and roles, Dr. Bharat is a Harold L. & Margaret N. Method Research Professor of Surgery, and the Chief of Thoracic Surgery at Northwestern University. He has won numerous awards and has published more than 100 peerreviewed papers in top scientific journals.
Philip Ninan: As an outstanding clinician, researcher, and educator, you are “a triple threat” in academic medicine. Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you came to be the professional you are.
I made the second trip for a three-day
Ankit Bharat: I was raised by physicians in
trained with.
Northern India: my dad is a pulmonologist,
They evaluate team leading abilities, the ability to work together, and the ability to support each other, and I realized these are the kind of peers I would love to get (continued on page 4)
and my mom is a pathologist. So growing up, I was introduced to the idea of pursuing medicine. After high school, my dad strongly advised me to apply to Christian Medical College (CMC). I trusted his advice and decided to apply to CMC, but I did tell him there was no possible way I [would be one of only]
After a full night of back-to-back
seven open candidates they accepted
surgeries, Dr. Bharat sat with Foundation
at the time. I was a fine student in high
Board Chair, Dr. Philip Ninan (Batch ’69),
school, but I was not top of my class.
to discuss his most recent achievements,
At the same time, I was applying
his drive for excellence, and the impact of
to universities in the U.S. and had
his CMC education on his personal and
been accepted to the University of
professional life.
interview process, and I really enjoyed it.
“Ida S: An Appreciation” ORATION BY DR. JAMES H. TAYLOR
The 9th Annual Dr. Ida S. Scudder Humanitarian Oration was held on the 150th birth anniversary of CMC Founder, Dr. Ida Sophia Scudder. Click here to watch the recording. Read more on page 3.