the Credit Authorization and Reimbursement (CARE) facility for the patients. He also planned, developed and started ACCESS for credit billed patients and continued to contribute towards patient care in the billing section for 14 years. Under his leadership in billing the delay for despatch of Reimbursement Certificate was brought down to a mean of 2 to 3 days from 10 to 15 days. Dr. Joseph Kuruvilla has presented many papers in the national forum and has published articles not only related to his subject but also on general social issues in the News Papers and Magazines. Dr. Kuruvilla takes active part in church activities and serves the church as an elder. He is also very committed to his family. His wife, Rachel Kuruvilla is an aluminus of College of Nursing (B.Sc. Batch of 1977) and is currently working as a teacher in Vidyalam school. His older son, Dr. Vinay Kuruvilla is doing his postgraduation in Orthopaedics in CMC, Vellore. He is married to Rohini and they have a lovely infant daughter Arpana. His younger son Viswas Kuruvilla is working in a multinational company in Hydrabad. As he retires, Dr. Kuruvilla will be remembered for his Christian work ethos and his commitment to this institution. The CMC Community thanks Dr. Kuruvilla for his many years of faithful and sincere services to the institution and wishes him God’s abundant blessings as he enters a new phase of life. OBITU AR Y : REV OBITUAR ARY REV.. A .C. OOMMEN Rev. A.C.Oommen was born to Mr. AV Cherian and Mrs Mariamma Cherian in Kaviyoor, Kerala in 1921. He studied in Kaviyoor, Eraviperoor, Kozhencherry, Kottayam, Alwaye and Calcutta. He was involved in the SCM, Youth Movement, Manganam Ashram, Relief Camps in Delhi and Ambala before he went to Uganda to be a teacher (1954-1961). He was ordained in Kampala in 1960. He worked in a remote parish in Kattampackal, Kerala (1961-1964). Later he joined CMC Vellore as a Chaplain. He served as the Dean of Chaplaincy from 1964 to 1981. During this time he organised the functions of chaplaincy and defined the chaplaincy in a significant manner. The patients who were admitted into the hospital found God’s presence in the comforting visits of Achen Oommen. Students who went through CMC’s portals were influenced heavily by the Christ centred spirituality radiating through Achen Oommen. Achen Oommen’s preferential option for the poor and marginalised, emphasis on justice during his conversations and reflections could not be missed by any who met him. His simple life style actually demonstrated that he is not only a preacher, but also one who walked his talk. He spoke about the ethos, values and the traditions of CMC with authority and clarity. His understanding of the Kingdom of God, his willingness to go out of the way to include people of all backgrounds proved that God was real in his life all the time. His understanding of God was centred on Christ undeniably and he was not worried about drawing the boundaries of his faith. Achen’s contribution to the Christian leadership at large, Christian Medical Association of India, Union Christian College, United Theological College, Union Biblical Seminary, Oddanchattram, Bissamcuttack and others demonstrate that he was a man called of God to fulfil his mission in the appointed time. We at CMC are grateful to God for his life and ministry. We will remember him for his caring counselling, heart touching prayers, thought provoking work camps, stimulating bible studies and the prophetic voice. In him we found a compassionate pastor, committed teacher, conscientious leader and a consecrated saint. We were privileged to say farewell to him after his death on December 6, 2015 in the College Chapel before the body was taken to Kaviyoor for burial. May the Peace of God fill the hearts of Achen’s family members and us. RETIREMENTS Mr. M. Sukumar, Hospital Attendant Gr.I, Pharmacy retired on December 10, 2015 after 27 years of service to the institution. He has a daughter and two sons. His son, Mr. Chandrasekar is a Hospital Attendant in Casualty and Mr. Dharmendiran is a Hospital Attendant in 'W' Ward.
Mr. S. Mathew, Hospital Housekeeping Attendant Gr.I, Microbiology retired on December 11, 2015 after 38 years of service to the institution. He has a son and two daughters. His son, Mr. Samuel Anand Kumar is a Hospital Attendant in Operation Theatre. CMC thanks them for their many years of dedicated services to the institution and wishes them a blessed retired life.