Dr. Mammen Chandy, alumnus of the MBBS batch of 1967 and
former Professor and Head of the Department of Haematology has been awarded the prestigious Dr. B.C.Roy Award in recognition of his outstanding and pioneering work in the category of ‘Eminent Medical Person’.
Dr. Mammen joined CMC in 1967, graduating as the ‘Best Outgoing Student’ of his batch. He then joined the Department of Medicine for his postgraduate studies, during which an interest in the field of Haematology, kindled during his undergraduate days, was further ignited. He obtained specialised training in Haematology at the Westmead Center, Sydney, Australia under Dr. Peter Castaldi, an eminent haematologist of that time. On his return to CMC, he worked tirelessly to establish the Department of Haematology that was formally inaugurated in 1986. The first bone marrow transplant was done in 1986, and since then the bone marrow transplantation programme in CMC, Vellore is the leading programme in the country – more than half the bone marrow transplants in India are done in CMC, Vellore. Dr. Mammen also performed the first bone marrow transplant for Thalassemia in the county. In addition, the Department has contributed significantly to the science of transplant in the world in terms of research publications. Dr. Mammen was instrumental in initiating the DM programme in Haematology in 1999, and it remains one of the most coveted courses in the country. The rigorous research environment continues through the well established research programme that has trained a number of doctoral students. The Department remains at the forefront of research in Hematology in the country with significant publications in the field of stem cell transplant, Hemophilia, Thalassemia, Leukemia and hemostasis/thrombosis. The Department also provides a wide range of diagnostic molecular biology test for blood disorders. A testament to Dr. Mammen’s fine leadership skills is the excellent team that he developed while at CMC. Following his retirement from CMC Vellore, Dr. Mammen Chandy joined the Tata Medical Center, Kolkata, as its Director.
The award will be presented by the President of India, Shri. Pranab Mukherjee, in New Delhi later this year. The Alumni Association congratulate Dr. Mammen Chandy for this honour and pray for God’s continual blessings on him.