Voices of Vellore - Spring 2023

VOICES VELLORE of

CMC Advances Doctor & Nurse Training in Maternal and Neonatal Care with the Opening of State-of-the-Art Simulation Labs Funded by USAID/ASHA

ASim Lab set up with grant funds from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Vellore CMC Foundation aims to reduce maternal, newborn and child mortality and morbidity in India.

On January 21, 2023, CMC and the Vellore CMC Foundation paid tribute to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for its financial contribution toward the opening of a new Advanced Simulation Laboratory Center at the Christian Medical College (CMC) in Vellore. This new lab will serve as a training facility for CMC doctors, nurses, and emergency medicine personnel, offering courses in maternal and neonatal care that will use the latest technologies that simulate mother and infant emergencies, basic and advanced nursing procedures, and

cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

The opening of this new training center was supported by a $1 million grant awarded through USAID’s American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) program. The ASHA program was established to help build bridges of understanding and friendship between the people of the United States and India. At an inauguration ceremony, which was attended by ASHA’s India Health Office Director, Sangita Patel, Dr. Margaret Kumar, the Vellore CMC Foundation’s Chairperson, and CMC Director, Dr. Vikram Mathews, all parties celebrated the opening of two new simulation labs, one at CMC’s main hospital and another at the CMC College of Nursing. The tribute to USAID/ASHA was held in the newly renovated Dr. Paul Brand Building, located on CMC’s main campus in the downtown area of Vellore.

USAID/India Health Office Director, Sangita Patel stated, “USAID aims to build upon existing evidence and best practices, as well as to catalyze new ideas, partnerships, and approaches. With this catalytic grant that has facilitated the setting up of the Advanced Simulation Lab Center and advanced labor and delivery room tools at the Christian Medical College, Vellore, USAID aims to accelerate reductions in maternal, newborn, and child mortality and morbidity by increasing the commitment and capacity of locally led institutions and providers to offer high-quality, integrated health care in the state of Tamil Nadu.”

- Dr. Vikram Mathews, CMC Director

"The USAID-ASHA grants are a catalyst for bringing positive change to CMC's healthcare delivery services."

PLEASE JOIN US FOR OUR UPCOMING EVENTS

MAY 11: 5th Annual

Ecumenical Leadership Forum: “Strengthening The Church Through Historical Relationships And Mutual Ministries Of Compassion”

MAY 19: Virtual Lecture

Series With Sujata Srinivasan, Connecticut Public Radio's Senior Health Reporter

JUNE 11: Cultivation Reception

Hosted by Drs. Honorine Ward and Shiv Pillai in Lexington, MA

JUNE 14: Cultivation Reception

Hosted by Krishen Mehta in New York, NY

JUNE 15-18: 42nd GOTC in Rochester, MN

JUNE 23: Virtual Lecture Series

With Dr. John C. Oommen

JULY 22: The Foundation’s First Ever 5k Fun Run In Edison, NJ

For additional information on upcoming events, please be sure to subscribe to our mailing list! Visit www.vellorecmc.org or contact Mabel Haro at mabel. haro@vellorecmc.org

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Friends of CMC and the Vellore CMC Foundation,

I am pleased to report that 2023 marks the 75-year anniversary of the founding of the Vellore CMC Foundation, which has already created opportunities for us to celebrate the generosity and accomplishments of our donors, directors, and staff members, dating back to 1948. Following in the footsteps of CMC founder, Dr. Ida Scudder, we continue to nurture the Foundation’s relationships with the U.S. faith-based community, with each member of the Scudder family who is a descendant of Dr. John & Harriet Scudder, with CMC’s U.S. alumni community, with those people amongst our donor community who we recognize as friends, and with today’s leaders and directors of CMC Vellore.

To date, we have hosted two virtual lecture series (VLS) events – one that paid tribute to the extraordinary accomplishments of CMC’s medical scientists over the years and another that paid tribute to the Scudder family members whose missionary achievements paved the way for Ida’s Scudder’s founding of CMC. Throughout the remainder of the year, we will organize eight more similar VLS events and also host the Foundation’s 5th Annual (Virtual) Ecumenical Leadership Forum, focusing on the importance of instilling compassion into all that we do as servant leaders and supporters of CMC’s mission.

We have six (6) in-person celebratory events scheduled for 2023 beginning with an intimate donor cultivation event scheduled for April 27th in Washington DC. This event will be followed by three similar events taking place in Boston, New York and Atlanta. We are also co-hosting a 5K fun run/walk in Edison, NJ on July 22nd, and organizing a gala in New York City in early November. We will be sharing details regarding each of the above in the days and weeks to come..

At the start of the year, we launched our CMC Compassionate | CMC Strong Campaign, with the hope of raising $1.25 million to support CMC’s early-stage research, student education and community-based patient care activities - to date, we have raised more than $56,000. I am hopeful that each of our donors will help us reach this lofty and vitally important 75th anniversary goal.

As always, my hope is that you find the contents of this edition of Voices of Vellore to be both informative and inspirational.

Sincerely,

John A. Riehl

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CMC Advances Doctor & Nurse Training in Maternal and Neonatal Care with the Opening of State-of-the-Art Simulation Labs Funded by USAID/ASHA

In his statement, Dr. Vikram Mathews said, “The USAIDASHA grants are a catalyst for bringing positive change to CMC's healthcare delivery services. In the past also, USAID has supported the setting up of advanced diagnostics, simulation labs, integrated health support systems and health facilities, improving perinatal outcomes and survival of newborns with cerebral injuries.” Dr. Vikram also paid tribute to Foundation donor, Dr. Khem Fatimi (alumni batch of 1957-1958), who has generously provided the additional funds needed to make the Advanced Simulation Centre for Excellence in Nursing (ASCEN) a true possibility.

In her comments at the inaugural ceremony, Dr. Margaret Kumar shared with the attendees the significance of this new training facility and its role in better preparing nursing students and faculty to respond to both critical and emergency care situations. She also made clear her appreciation for ASHA’s support and guidance, emphasizing the importance of each ASHA program's public diplomacy

component. Since 1982, USAID has provided over $12 million for infrastructure, equipment, and other needs to CMC. ASHA aids overseas schools, libraries, hospitals, and centers of excellence to catalyze collaboration between citizens of the United States and other countries and create self-sustaining local institutions.

Dr. Margaret Kumar, Chairperson of the Foundations participates in the ribbon cutting ceremony for ASCEN.

From left to right: Dr. John C. Oommen, Dr. Vikram Mathews, Sangita Patel, John Riehl, Dr. Margaret Kumar, Dr. Solomon Satishkumar, Rev. Finey Alexander, Dr. Vinu Moses

The Vellore CMC Foundation Celebrates its 75th Anniversary

It is with great excitement and gratitude that we announce the yearlong celebration to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Vellore Christian Medical College Foundation. Our plan is to observe this occasion with an assortment of events that memorialize our history while celebrating our present and future.

In 1948, as India gained its independence, Dr. Ida S. Scudder made the critical decision to transition the governance of the Christian Medical College and Hospital in Vellore (CMCH) from the United States to India. While the U.S. Vellore Board, which had

been comprised of representatives of the U.S. faith-based community and prominent figures from within the business and medical professions, was disbanded, Dr. Ida decided to restructure the organization to what it has become today – a fundraising and friend-raising foundation with the sole mission of supporting CMCH Vellore.

Since then, the Foundation has been dedicated to carrying forth Dr. Ida's vision of creating a healthcare system best recognized for its virtues of compassion, integrity and innovation. Every board member, foundation member, employee and donor has

CELEBRATE WITH US

contributed wholeheartedly to the realization of Dr. Ida’s truest desire – that CMC “seek to be a witness to the healing ministry of Christ through excellence in education, service and research”.

Throughout 2023 we will celebrate this milestone through various in-person and virtual events that provide opportunities to reflect on our past, engage with our donor community to recognize our current successes, and sustain Dr. Ida’s vision and legacy for the next 75 years and beyond. The events planned for the year include:

• 10 Virtual Lecture Series Events,

• Four (4) intimate donor cultivation events in Washington DC, Boston, New York City, and Atlanta to celebrate with friends and donors in these cities,

• Our inaugural Excellence In Service, Research, and Education (EISRE) Award Ceremony at the 42nd GOTC in Rochester, MN,

• Our first 5K Fun Run/Walkathon in Edison, NJ on Saturday, July 22,

• The 12th Annual Dr. Ida S. Scudder Humanitarian Oration on August 10, 2023 honoring Dr. George Cheriyan, Director/CEO of the American Mission Hospital (AHS) of Bahrain,

• Our 75th Anniversary Gala being planned in New York City.

Sustaining Dr. Ida's Legacy: “CMC Compassionate | CMC Strong” Campaign

The trademarks of CMC have always been (1) its display of true compassion when caring for the physical and spiritual needs of every patient, and (2) its ability to – with great fortitude – face and overcome every challenge and obstacle placed before it. As a tribute to these extraordinary qualities and to ensure the continued success of CMC into the future, the Foundation has launched its 2023 CMC Compassionate | CMC Strong campaign with the goal of raising $1.25 million in support CMC’s continued pursuit of excellence in

research, education and service. Specifically, the funds raised throughout this annual campaign will be used to (1) support early-stage research activities conducted by CMC students and junior faculty, (2) fund U.S.-based medical training fellowships for senior faculty, and (3) support community outreach services provided by the RUHSA and CONCH departments at CMC.

The Dr. Honorine Ward Senior Training Fellowship

One of the Foundation's longest standing commitments is to fund competitive Senior Training Fellowships (STFs), instituted to award CMC faculty with a six-to-ten medical research/study program located at an academic institution outside of India. Over the years, numerous CMC doctors and nurses have pursued this STF award and have benefited tremendously from the opportunities to enhance their skills and competency in a medical specialty of their choosing. In 2022, the Foundation renewed its Memorandum of Understanding with CMC to continue funding this program for the next five years, and after a pandemic-related pause, one candidate has since completed her training and five more have been selected to pursue their STF in 2023.

Dr. Sheela Durai, Head of Department of Surgical Nursing and Simulation Director, College of Nursing, CMC, Vellore, completed her fellowship at the Center for immersive learning and digital innovation, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland, USA in 2022. The aim of her fellowship was to set up a world class Simulation lab for nursing student education and staff training at CMC through collaboration

with nursing experts in other parts of the globe and to develop innovative processes and systems of nurse training for optimal patient outcomes.

The following candidates will benefit from the STF program with a focus on the following subject areas in 2023:

• Dr. Sandeep Albert, Orthopaedics Unit-I on “Acetabular and Complex Trauma”

• Dr. Priya G, Emergency Medicine, on “Simulation teaching in Emergency Medicine”

• Rev. Giftus Joshua, Chaplaincy, on “Exploring the Chaplaincy training opportunities, and to update knowledge and practices of spiritual care at Loma Linda”

• Dr. Joe Varghese, Biochemistry, on “Isolation and functional characterization of mouse/human pancreatic islets and distinct isletderived endocrine cells”

• Ms. Linda Parveen Shirley, Radiology, on “Initiating the use of various advanced imaging techniques for focal cortical dysplasia (FCD)”

"The STF opportunity enabled me to meet new friends, and network with them for future collaborations...I am extremely grateful to everyone who played a part in me enjoying this STF and am fully committed to doing my best to ensure that the simulation lab at College of Nursing, CMC, Vellore, functions at its best with the best standards.” – Dr. Sheela Durai

Revisiting Memories and Renewing Passion: A Journey to Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore

By Vinciya Pandian (CON Batch ‘92), PhD, MBA, MSN, RN, FAANP, FAAN, ACNP-BC

After twenty-five years, I found myself standing within the magnificent confines of Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, not once but twice, all thanks to my collaborators at Johns Hopkins University. This opportunity, a rare gem, was made possible due to the MOU between Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing and College of Nursing (CON), CMC. As I walked into the hospital campus, a wave of emotions engulfed me. The soaring new buildings elicited feelings of joy and awe, yet a tinge of sadness lurked within me as I struggled to locate the old buildings that held many cherished memories.

The warm welcome from Dean Sadan and the CON faculty made me feel like a VIP, and I had the privilege of sharing my insights on the impact of advanced technology in nursing education, writing for successful publication, and considerations for establishing research incubators with the nursing staff and faculty; and my personal journey to nursing leadership with the bright and aspiring nursing students. As part of the JHU collaboration with CMC, I conducted focused group assessments of the nursing community (nurses, nursing students, and nursing faculty) on the mental health needs postCOVID-19 pandemic to establish a virtual wellness center, a vital initiative in these unprecedented times.

CMC has made significant strides in advancing nursing education in South India, and its alumni continue to shine wherever they go, making a global impact. As an alumna, my passion to give back to the College was rekindled, and I feel re-energized. It is gratifying to know that the Aleyamma Kuruvilla Sponsorship fund, established by alumni to support underprivileged nursing students, was indeed worth it. Giving back to the institution that provided the foundation to who I am today is always a joy, be it through funds, time, or expertise. Thank you, CON, CMC, and three cheers for the silver and blue!

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The Glass Palace, once a student nurses' hostel, was particularly dear to me, evoking memories of my wayward ways and the stern reprimands of our hostel warden. I smiled to myself as I reminisced about the days when we would splash in the little pond in front of the hostel or, 'accidentally,' spill water on the warden during birthday celebrations. As I stood in front of the Paul Brand building, I yearned for the familiarity of the old hostel and the CON building. Yet, as I visited the new campus, my heart swelled with pride at the sight of the towering hostel buildings and spacious college building. The memories of my timid beginnings as a nursing student came flooding back as I walked through the halls of the college, re-energizing my passion for nursing, and realizing how far the Lord has led me.

Eye Care Everywhere! CMC Inaugurates New Eye Surgery Operating Theater at the Chittoor Campus

By Dr. Kenny David, Associate Director, Chittoor Campus

Ophthalmology services were started in CMC Vellore Chittoor Campus in January 2017. Over the last 6 years, the department has grown from a once-aweek Outpatient Department (OPD) by one doctor to daily OPD services by a 6-member team that serves 7600+ patients and performs nearly 200 eye surgeries per year.

Eye surgeries require absolute sterility of the Operation Theatre (OT). There is a risk of acquiring post-surgical complications or infections if eye surgeries are performed in a common OT where multi-disciplinary surgeries are performed on general patients. So we dreamed of having a dedicated Eye Operation Theatre at Chittoor Campus – and we are tremendously grateful as our dream has become a reality.

On March 24, 2023, we inaugurated our brand-new Eye Operation theatre. We were blessed with the visit of our donors Dr. Mangala Venkatesh (MBBS Batch of 1970) and her husband Mr. Venki Venkatesh for this special occasion. They were accompanied by six members of the Batch of 1970 – a class which boasts of six ophthalmologists in their ranks! Along with Dr. Mangala & Mr. Venki, we acknowledged Dr. Robert H. Fish from the Scudder Family whose generous contributions, through the

Vellore CMC Foundation USA, made our Eye Operation Theatre a reality. The inauguration program consisted of a prayer song and Bible reading by the students, a short message by Rev. Giftus from Chaplaincy and felicitations by various key members of the Chittoor team. On behalf of the department, Dr T. Jeevaratnam presented the stories of some of our patients coming to Chittoor and how our interventions have saved their sight.

Dr. Mangala shared her experience as an Alumna of CMC now working in the USA. Mr. Venki shared his personal story of having eye operations as a child and the tremendous difference sight-saving operations can have. The Batch of 1970 gave an impromptu performance of ‘Amazing Grace’ with the words ‘I once was blind but now I see’ reflecting the transformative power of healing. Currently, the Ophthalmology Services

at CMC Vellore Chittoor Campus includes Medical Records, Spectacle clinic, Refraction and Investigation, Automated Refractometer for eye power estimate, clinical examination areas with Slit-lamp Biomicroscopy etc. We are continuing to appeal for support to equip the new Eye OT with anesthesia equipment, monitors, and ophthalmology equipment like a phacoemulsification machine for cataract surgeries.

The new eye operating theater was realized through the generosity of Drs. Mangala and Venki Venkatesh and Dr. Robert Fish.

Members of the Batch of 1970 visit the newly constructed Eye Operation Theater.

Sujata Srinivasan’s

Upcoming Book,

Forged by Flame, Celebrates the Life of Dr. Rachel Chacko

Dr. Chacko graduated in the first all-women M.B.B.S. batch from the Christian Medical College in Vellore, and went on to establish a hugely successful private practice in Chennai. A mezzo soprano and a tennis player, Dr. Chacko married the world-renowned venereologist Dr. C.W. Chacko and sought the power of faith and community to anchor her amidst unthinkable personal tragedies.

Forged by Flame by Sujata Srinivasan examines Dr. Chacko’s life in the context of women in medicine – patriarchy and misogyny, the role of the Kerala Syrian Christian community in women’s empowerment, the influence of missionaries in educating women, the cultivation of a mind and heart suited to embrace medicine as a calling, and the meaning of a purpose-driven life. This is the story of all our mothers and grandmothers and the women before them who bore the earth on their backs so that others could contribute their intellect and passion in a wider sphere.

All proceeds from the book will go to support the Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore.

Sujata Srinivasan is Connecticut Public Radio’s senior health reporter.