voices-of-vellore_fall-2013

VOICES VELLORE N E W S L E T T E R O F V E L L O R E C M C F O U N D AT I O N , I N C .

New York, NY

vellorecmc.org

Welcome

Fall 2013

The lobby in the newly-renovated Ida Scudder Auditorium

to the premiere issue of Voices of Vellore.

Welcome to Voices of Vellore, our re-designed newsletter (formerly The Vellore Advocate). I became President of the Vellore CMC Foundation nine months ago, and have enjoyed meeting many alumni doctors, nurses, volunteers, institutional members and long-time supporters of CMC. During this time we have also begun to upgrade our communications to serve CMC in Vellore and all of our American friends better.

Our mission, in full partnership with CMC’s Directorate, is to build support for CMC’s programs and capital projects; to be a voice for CMC in the US; to offer resources to all alumni; and to assist American students, doctors and travelers who are planning a stay in Vellore. Along with this goes our commitment to regularly celebrate the life and work of Dr. Ida S. Scudder.

If you are someone who has fallen out of touch with CMC I hope that you will welcome this new quarterly communication to help keep you linked.

Voices of Vellore will stay current with the clinical work and the research being conducted there. We will include

regular contributions from CMC Director Dr. Sunil Chandy, Dr. Rosaline Jayakaran, Dean of the College Nursing, alumni, students, staff and others. If you have news, information or thoughts to share please send them along.

In January our re-designed website will launch and you will see a vibrant and compelling new face for CMC that is designed with you in mind. I hope that you enjoy this premiere issue of Voices of Vellore; in the next few months it will be digital—a change many have requested.

Our doors are always open; let us know what you think!

Katherine D. Guenther, President Vellore Christian Medical College Foundation

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CMC Director Sunil Chandy’s Visit to the United States

Vellore spirit of friendship and “ The generosity welcomed me in every city. ”

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That evening Prasad and Sapna Palla hosted a dinner for the Chandys at their home in Bronxville, NY (Prasad is Treasurer of the VCMCF Board).

Dr. Meredith Hawkins Dr. Honorine Ward opened her home in Boston. attended-she is conducting NIH-funded diabetes research at Albert Einstein’s Diabetes Research and Education Center in collaboration with CMC Endocrinologist Dr. Nihal Thomas (’82). Sapna is the daughter of Drs. Cornelius and Sarah Walter (esteemed members of ‘58-‘59 and ‘63), which meant the sharing of several candid CMC stories!

Early on Friday, June 13th Drs. Chandy headed to Boston via AMTRAK, accompanied by Foundation President Kate Guenther and Board Chair Anish Mathai.

The trip’s primary purpose was to visit VCMCF Board member and Tufts faculty member Dr. Honorine Ward (’69), and Dr. Harris Berman, Dean of Tufts University School of Medicine. There is a comprehensive and very active partnership between Tufts and CMC-most recently strengthened by a gift from Tufts to establish the Tufts-CMC Public Health Education and Research Center in Vellore. Conversation focused on the Center, what it will include programmatically and how it will benefit Tufts and CMC. Friday evening Dr. Honorine and her wonderful spouse Dr. Shiv Pillai (’69) hosted a terrific dinner with about 30 CMC alums, Tufts faculty and others. It was a sensational

n June Drs. Sunil and Gigi Chandy made the customary visit that a new CMC Director makes to meet alumni at the Gathering of the Clan (GOTC).

This year the event was in Oklahoma City, OK. Before arriving at the GOTC, Drs. Chandy made several stops, from Boston to Kansas City, meeting Vellore CMC Foundation Board members and other important supporters.

In New York City Anish and Susan Mathai hosted the Chandys in their home overlooking the Hudson River. The Vellore CMC Foundation (VCMCF) Board, of which Anish is Chair, planned the first few days of the trip bringing donors, alumni, researchers, and prospective partners together in a variety of settings so that all could meet Dr. Sunil and hear his vision for his tenure which started in Dr. Jamshed Bharucha (2nd from left) hosted a September 2012. dinner honoring the Chandys (l-r) John Mathew, VCMCF Board Dr. Bharucha, Anish Mathai, Susan Mathew (CON’69).

Secretary Dr. Madelon Finkel scheduled a tour and visit with the Dean of Weill Cornell Medical School, Laurie H. Glimcher, MD. The Chandys saw the School’s portrait of Dr. Ida S. Scudder and a very beautiful architectural model of the Cornell Medical College campus that Aunt Ida would have attended.

Dean Glimcher also heard from Dr. Sunil about some of CMC’s programs, and she expressed a strong interest in visiting CMC in 2014.

Dr. Mark Steinhoff with Drs. Gigi & Sunil Chandy.

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where Thoms, the Carmans evening, and the Chandys returned and other notable CMC family to New York the next morning. members attended.

On their final night in New York, On to Kansas City, KS, where Dr. Jamshed Bharucha, President of Dr. Mani Mani (’55) and his wife The Cooper Union and friend of Rebekah (both Honorary Directors CMC, hosted an elegant dinner at of the VCMCF Board) hosted the his historic residence. Several Anita Sharan Jesudass (CON ‘85), Valsa Kuruvila Chandys to a full agenda of VCMCF Board members, donors, (CON ‘76) and Margaret Kumar (‘67 and VCMCF meetings with our many partners at and Scudder family members were in Board Member) the University of Kansas Medical attendance. Jamshed offered a strong endorsement of CMC; Anish Mathai introduced Center. A traditional Texas BBQ meal was held at Dr. Mani’s home with daughter Rachel Mani, as well Dr. Sunil, who spoke about his vision for CMC. Many as Drs. Rachel and George Cherian (both ’61). insightful questions were asked, even as the night grew long. It was a very special evening, one that fostered new The following day Dr. Sunil gave Grand Rounds, completed a hectic day and deepening relationships. of meetings, and Kate Guenther accompanied Drs. Sunil and Gigi enjoyed a reception and to Cincinnati for a day with VCMCF Board member dinner with Hospital Dr. Mark Steinhoff at the Children’s Hospital there.

Mark and his spouse Rev. Liz Senft hosted a dinner with leadership. the Hospital Director Dr. Arnold Strauss and his wife, Finally…Oklahoma City Pat. Dr. Sunil also spent a morning at the hospital and the GOTC! with Dr. Steinhoff, Wonderful planning Dr. Strauss and by the GOTC committee others. There are made this a fabulous Dr. & Mrs. John Carman (left) travelled from many current Maine to enjoy Dr. Honorine’s party (with few days. On Friday and and prospective Geeta Oommen and her son Chacko).

Saturday mornings CME relationships with Cincinnati-particularly courses were offered and Friday afternoon Drs. Sunil and Gigi joined the group that visited the very moving in the area of training pediatric sub-specialists Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum.

Friday evening Dr. Chandy presented his vision for for service in Vellore.

Drs. Gigi & Sunil Chandy (l) with CMC to an appreciative audience and he garnered a A brief stop was Dr. & Mrs. Mani Mani (‘55). very positive response. He made a point of saying how made in St. Louis important American donors are and will be to CMC’s to visit with Dr. Nesa Joseph. Dr. Joseph and his sustained leadership; he also expressed his gratitude family, along with Dr. Elizabeth George, VP of for the partnership that CMC enjoys with the the Deaconess Foundation, enjoyed dinner with VCMC Foundation.

Drs. Sunil & Gigi, and Kate Guenther.

VCMC Foundation President Kate Guenther had Kate delighted in her visits with special CMC the opportunity to speak on Saturday and she offered supporters including Mrs. Polly Coxe, the widow of Dr. Bill Coxe, a pediatric neurosurgeon who spent some a thorough and transparent look at the Foundation’s work and finances over the last 5 years, including time at CMC in 1965; Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Duerksen who are involved with both CMC and CMC Ludhiana; details of the nearly $5 million that has been given to and with Dr. Norman Thoms, his wife Anna, and two CMC through the VCMC Foundation in that timeframe.

She thanked alumni of CMC who support CMC through of their daughters. Dr. Thoms served lunch and shared the Foundation. stories about days at CMC and at the Kodai School

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Ms. Sudha Murty Delivers the Dr. Ida S. Scudder Humanitarian Oration

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n August 9th during Alumni Weekend, the second Dr. Ida S. Scudder Humanitarian Oration was given by Mrs. Sudha Murty, Founder and Chair of the Infosys Foundation. Eight hundred guests gathered in the newly-renovated Scudder Auditorium to hear Mrs. Murty’s talk, which she aimed specifically at the many medical students in the audience.

Mrs. Murty is a woman of wealth, power, and extraordinary accomplishment. Any of these could have made her a compelling speaker. However, the qualities that made her an extraordinary Ida S. Scudder Orator came alive as she delivered a powerful personal story without a single note. In humility she bowed her head as the Citation was read. She stood and offered Namaste to a standing audience. And when she began her story she spoke from her heart with tenderness and humor and a strong affirmation of compassion and life.

Her story was about a young doctor (who happened to be her own father) and his first patient – a 16-year-old girl in labor with a fatherless baby. The girl had dishonored the family by becoming pregnant and was subsequently sent away to avoid further familial disgrace. The young doctor, blindfolded, was taken to the secret location where the girl labored. He found her in a dark, dirty room, her spirit crushed by shame and humiliation, her will to live lost.

Mrs. Murty had never shared this personal recollection with an audience before. She paused in her story and told us that she was close to her father, a man of intellect, curiosity, and principle. He made sure his daughters were

Dr. Sunil Chandy introduced Mrs. Murty.

VCMCF Board Chair Anish Mathai with Mrs. Sudha Murty.

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educated at a time when young women did not go beyond basic schooling. He led by example and his children learned to live by their values and good instincts.

The story culminated in a dramatic and powerful end: what did the young doctor do, inexperienced and wary of thwarting the family’s will, that changed this desperate girl’s life? He identified with her fear; he acknowledged that her life was changed forever; and he spoke from his heart with courage and love.

With a baby girl delivered he was able to slip the girl his small fee and whisper a simple message that would lead her to safety and ultimately to a worthwhile life. Years later when the doctor was close to retirement he learned that fate had brought them together once again. His first patient, long forgotten, had indeed left her village and followed his suggestion. She had become a nurse; her daughter had grown up to become a wonderful doctor who cared for mothers and babies.

More than recounting the facts that made her story moving, Mrs. Murty brought the audience back to that first night to leave a strong message. The seeming simplicity of the doctor’s actions and the good that came from them were the product of taking a risk in the name of humanity. The doctor supremely valued life. In this he was able to step outside his professional role and give dignity and hope.

Mrs. Murty finished her talk, and looking into the eyes of her audience, she recalled Ida Scudder’s powerful, often unspoken message: live a life of compassion, heart, faith and example!

We are deeply grateful to Mrs. Sudha Murty for sharing her personal witness to the values Dr. Ida taught.

To watch the Oration and to learn more about Mrs. Sudha Murty, visit us at http://www.vellorecmc. org/scudder_oration.html

Mrs. Murty received her award from Kate Guenther.

Mrs. Murty

MA JOR INITIATIVES THAT YOUR GIFTS CAN SUPPORT

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n our conversations with supporters the question often arises: What does CMC need money for? In Voices of Vellore we will regularly offer a sampling of the important projects that are in the planning and fund raising stages at CMC.You can call or email us for more detail.

u Expansion of RUHSA Campus

Dr. Rita Isaac (l) is planning a major expansion of RUHSA’s patient areas.

Dr. Rita Isaac (Community Medicine, ’76) has gained preliminary approval for a significant capital expansion on the RUHSA campus; her challenge now is to raise approximately $250,000. The primary benefit of the expansion will be to significantly enlarge the Outpatient Department and add the hospital’s first Emergency Care Department. With the nearest hospital 25-30 miles away, Dr. Rita knows that RUHSA will be saving the lives of trauma sufferers, cardiac patients, poisoning victims and many others. Every area of care will benefit from this project, with new room for clinics, training, screenings and patient education. Dr. Rita will be in the US in October presenting her plan and seeking funding for this important initiative. Please call 212-870-2640 for more detail.

u The College of Nursing Keeps Growing Dean Rosaline Jayakaran sends greetings and thanks to alumni and well-wishers for their prayers and financial support! She is immensely proud of the new campus that opened in 2010, and of the new curricula being added to meet expanding interests among nursing students. To provide a one-year scholarship at the College of Nursing costs $750.

u Expanding CMC’s Reach

With Distance Learning

The Lobby of the new College of Nursing Administrative Office.

Dr. Jachin Velavan (Family Medicine, ‘90) is Coordinator of Distance Education at CMC. She has helped to develop superb programs that are imbued with all the standards and values that a traditional CMC student receives. Three hundred twenty-five (325) doctors received the Program’s diplomas or certificates in March, 2013. Their new credentials included the 2-year Post-Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine (one track for experienced practitioners and one for recent graduates); and the 1-year Distance Fellowship in Diabetes Dr. Jachin Velavan Management (run with CMC’s Dept. of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism). The program has grown rapidly as demand has increased, technology has improved, and effective teaching models have emerged. A scholarship for one rural doctor (e.g. a Mission Hospital doctor) is $1,500.

u A Coordinator for Clinical Research at CMC CMC is an international leader in conducting breakthrough research. Recently Dr. Gangadeep Kang (Microbiology ’81), Lab Vice Principal for Research/Head of CMC’s Wellcome Trust Lab, celebrated the worldwide announcement of a new Rotavirus vaccine partly developed in her lab. Other ongoing projects include a phase I/II Typhoid Vaccine trial; research into the absorption of HIV/AIDS drugs in infected children in poor areas; and study of the atypical chronic diseases (e.g. lean type 2 diabetes mellitus) that occur in under-resourced countries.

With all this, CMC research scientists, doctors and nurses currently prepare their own applications, data and financial reports, etc. With contributions to the Research Dept. at CMC, a new Research Coordinator position will be created to assist in coordinating all aspects of scientific research. Funding needed is approximately $75,000.

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NEWS&UPDATES Dr. Anika Amritanand Pursuing Community Ophthalmology

I continued my work in Community Ophthalmology in Vellore and Karigiri (Schiffelin Hospital). Currently a Drs. Anika (Ophth. ’90) and her spouse Rohit (’91 major portion of my responsibility in Orth.) Amritanand have moved their family to the the Department of Ophthalmology Toronto area, where Rohit is completing a Clinical involves the planning and Spinal Fellowship at Toronto Western Hospital; and Community Ophthalmology doctors implementation of screening, at CMC restored this 5-year-old’s sight where Anika is completing a Master’s in Community referral, treatment and after double cataracts blinded her.

Health (MScCH) in the Dalla Lana School of Public rehabilitation of patients with Health at University of Toronto. Last year both Anika blindness and other ocular disorders and Rohit were on Study Leave in within Vellore District and neighboring area.

Calgary, AB, where Anika completed an CMC’s Schell Eye Hospital has a great legacy of Ophthalmology Research Fellowship at community outreach first established by Dr. Victor Rambo. With the benefit of the MScCH program I will the Gimbel Eye Center, University of bring new skills and knowledge to our communityCalgary; the Gimbel Eye Foundation based eye care services in Vellore, where we plan to has awarded her funding to complete improve their accessibility and relevance. I am especially her MScCH. interested in curriculum development in all phases of Dr. Anika wrote to us recently about Community Ophthalmology and Optometry training; her passion for her work: I would like to help incorporate the related principles I have a keen interest in Community Ophthalmology and practices in our curricula so that our doctors can and have been actively involved in community eye include screening, treatment, disease prevention, health services since 1999 when I started my Residency. rehabilitation and patient education in their future The Amritanand Family In 2003 I joined the Eye Service of Emmanuel Hospital practices. I also wish to develop training modules for Association in North India to fulfill my 3-year grassroots community health workers so that they can postgraduate service obligation. Those years cemented my belief that there is recognize common ocular conditions. The specialized Health Practitioner a strong need for community eye services in India. Following that very Teacher Education offered in the MScCH program will be extremely valuable gratifying time, my husband and I rejoined our Alma Mater, CMC Vellore. towards this goal.

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Dr. Premal Das Receives the 2013 Dr. Emmanuel Sunder Raj Memorial Award The Dr. Emmanuel Sunder Raj Award honors a person who, having completed surgical training at CMC, has spent the major portion of his/her career in mission hospitals. The late Dr. Raj (‘66) dedicated most of his career to service in a mission hospital at Andhra Pradesh; his life was cut short in a tragic accident in 1995. Drs. Gandam (’56) & Saroja (’58) Jayakar established an endowment with the Foundation to fund this memorial award. The Citation to this year’s honoree Dr. V. Sitaram, Head of the Dept. of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery and Dr. Benjamin Perakath, Head of the Div. of Surgery Dr. Premal Das (General Surgery, ’78) reads in part: Dr. Premal Das and Head of Surgery Unit II presents certificate to Dr. Premal Das. belongs to a family that has been involved in service to those afflicted

by Hansen’s disease since 1890. His grandfather and father dedicated their lives to the Leprosy Mission. Dr. Das chose to follow a similar path and dedicate his life and services to the cause of those afflicted with Hansen’s disease. (After completing his surgery training in 1993) Dr. Das rejoined the Leprosy Mission where he continues to serve today. He has a continuing passion for reconstructive surgery for the Hansen’s-disease-affected as well as those with correctable deformities; he has transformed many lives through his adept surgical skills. Read the Citation at cmch-vellore.edu/PDF/WeeklyNews/2013/September/20130902.pdf.

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Dr. Sushil Mathew John Dr. Sushil John (Community Medicine ‘89), Acting Head of the Low Cost Effective Care Unit, is off on a 12-month sabbatical. Don’t look for him in an ivory tower though! He will be working with the venerable Virologist Dr. T. Jacob John and members of the Rotary Club of Vellore TB Control Society as they embark on a Dr. Sushil John with visiting student, service project. With support from CMC, they will be using a combination of Isabel Laterzo. behavioral and biomedical interventions to control TB in Vellore Town. Dr. Sushil will also continue his work with CMC colleague Dr. Gangadeep Kang on a phase I/II trial for a new Typhoid Vaccine; continue his research (also with Dr. Kang) on the inter-relationship between enteric disease and malnutrition (MAL ED); and collaborate with his colleague Dr. Rita Isaac at RUHSA, where the Vellore-Aberdeen Nutrition Exchange Project (University of Aberdeen & CMC) is studying the effect of diet and physical activity on the double burden of obesity and under-nutrition in South Indian populations.

Dr. Paul Brand Centenary Plans are quickly coming into focus for CMC’s observance of the centenary of Dr. Paul Brand’s birth. From February 6-8, 2014 the first triennial Paul Brand Memorial Oration will be given at CMC by Dr. Jan Fridén, M.D., Ph.D., from Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Göteborg, Sweden.

Dr. Paul Brand July 17, 1914 – July 8, 2003

There is growing momentum in favor of creating a residence for retired elderly CMC doctors/staff who have no family to care for them. This would be built on the 2.5 acres where the New Life Centre currently resides.

The residence will not operate as a charity; funds raised (amount TBD) will be for construction. A ceremonial event will be held on Alumni Weekend 2014 to launch this project.

Drs. Moir & Sarojini Budden and Batch of ‘58, Thank you for providing new refrigerators in Alumni House rooms!

Dr. Rohan Ganguli (’67) has returned safely from a 3-week motorcycle tour of Ladakh!

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What Moves You About CMC? No matter how many times I hear the story of young Ida Scudder’s epiphany it touches something.

Her willingness to put aside the life she imagined for herself; to serve selflessly; to teach joyfully; to trust fully: these are the touch points of Ida’s story that draw me to it over and over again.

Many of our readers have been to CMC either as students, visiting doctors or nurses, missionaries or volunteers. As we report to you in this newsletter and in other places, I hope that we are connecting you to the things that move you about CMC: maybe it’s the sheer goodness that infuses the place; the faculty member who listened and changed your life or career; the opportunity to work with a world class scientist; the awakening that you experienced living in a community of faith; or the bonds of friendship that endure even today.

There are lots of theories about why people give generously. I hope that whatever moves you about CMC will move you to give to CMC. The Foundation exists for the benefit of American partners/donors, as an uncomplicated conduit between them and the place they love. We have other roles that we cherish; but our primary purpose is to keep you connected to CMC and its future. Thank you! To make a gift today go to vellorecmc.org or call 212-870-2640.

- KG

VELLORE CMC FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAVE YOU RECEIVED OUR 2012 VELLORE CMC FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT? For a hard copy, contact us at 800-875-6370, or foundation@vellorecmc.org For a digital copy, please visit us on the web: http://www.vellorecmc.org

Anish Mathai, Chair S. Balasubramian, MD (’58-‘59), Vice Chair Prasad Palla, Treasurer Madelon Finkel, PhD, Secretary Rohan Ganguli, MD (’67) Albert Johnson, MD (’61) Emma Koshi Margaret Kumar, PhD (CON ’67) Bibhuti Mishra, MD (’71) Daleep Mukarji, MD (’64) Raj Narayan, MD (’69) Thomas K. Philips, PhD Mark Steinhoff, MD George Varughese Honorine Ward, MD (’69)

WHEN YOU ARE SENDING A GIFT

By Mail: Please make your check payable to The Vellore CMC Foundation. Also, please indicate any special instructions for the use of your gift (e.g. specific program?)

Online: Vellorecmc.org ‘s Donate page is easy to navigate. You can set up an automatic monthly gift – this helps us with cash flow and can make it a little easier to give more!

Appreciated Stock: Please call the office (212-870-2640) for routing number, etc.

VELLORE CHRISTIAN MEDICAL COLLEGE FOUNDATION

Honorary and Memorial Gifts are welcome and very meaningful.

Holiday Gifts: Are you thinking about the Holidays yet? When you want to give a meaningful gift, consider a gift to CMC in the name of your gift recipient. We will send you a beautiful announcement to give in person or we will mail/email it for you.

475 Riverside Drive, Suite 725 New York, NY 10115 800-875-6370 or 212-870-2640 fax: 212-870-2173 vellorecmc.org foundation@vellorecmc.org

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