Achievers

Express Healthcare highlights achievements of doctors and other professionals and contributors to the healthcare industry. To nominate your employees/colleagues for Achievers, mail healthcare@expressindia.com and we will get in touch with you!

An Honour to Remember

The CEO and Chairman of Chennai's Frontier Lifeline Dr KM Cherian (65) is the only Indian cardio-thoracic surgeon, amidst the galaxy of 36 world renowned international surgeons, who was recently honoured in a special ceremony at the Island of KOS, Greece. During the World Congress conducted by the World Society of Cardio Thoracic Surgeons (WSCTS), not only the stalwarts of cardiothoracic surgery renewed their Hippocratic Oath in the birthplace of Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, their names were also engraved on a stone along with which a tree was planted under each surgeon's plaque.

"It was a matter of great honour for me," enthused Dr Cherian, credited with conducting the first paediatric heart transplant and first heart and lung transplant in India. "This annual conference witnesses the august presence and didactic participation of the best minds in the exacting science of cardiothoracic surgery. It provides a worldwide forum for presentations and discussions on the latest findings and techniques in this delicate branch of surgery," added Dr Cherian.

Dr Cherian has one more reason to cheer. He has been elected as the Congress President to host the 20th World Congress on Cardiothoracic Surgery in 2010. The event would be hosted at Frontier Lifeline. "Every year, the WSCTS Executive Committee proposes and puts to vote the country which would play host to the subsequent World Congress. This year, India was in the final round for consideration and was neck-to-neck with Edinburgh. These two final contenders were released from the suspense when India and specifically, Chennai was unanimously selected to host the event," informed Dr Cherian.

This privilege will witness India playing host to the luminaries of cardiothoracic surgery from all over the world along with students, clinicians and scientists active in this field.

Charged With a Cause

He has added yet another feather to his cap. Mumbai-based gynaecologist Dr Hrishikesh Pai (48) has recently assumed the position of President of the Mumbai Obstetrics and Gynecological Society (MOGS). Established in the year 1937, MOGS is considered to be a premier gynecological society with more than 2,200 members.

A 1982 KEM Hospital pass out, Dr Pai completed his one year fellowship in reproductive biology from the University of Melbourne, Australia and has been in the field of IVF since last 17 years. He was also instrumental in establishing the first assisted laser hatching unit in India. The unit has delivered one of the first few laser hatched twins in India in the year 1999. He has also helped to start many IVF units all over India and is the scientific director of Two IVF units in Mumbai and Delhi.

As the president, Dr Pai has many plans up his sleeve. "My agenda would be to create interaction between the patients and the gynaecologists, besides holding academic sessions and social fora in the coming one year," quips Dr Pai.

Dr Pai wants to emphasise on MOGS's role as a socially pro-active organisation. "I would like to launch a total health and fitness campaign, directed towards the women of Mumbai. This campaign would involve preventive as well as curative aspects," reveals Dr Pai. The society will tackle various health issues at regular intervals and also set up high caliber health screening and treatment camps all over the city. According to him, these camps would be held in individual hospitals of member gynecologists all over the city and would be free of charge.

In keeping with social responsibilities, Dr Pai will also be conducting public advocacy fora to make Mumbaiites aware of gender discrimination, population explosion and contraception, anaemia prevention and hygiene promotion, cancer screening and prevention, infertility issues and coming to terms with menopause.

Raring to Go!

The dynamic Hospital Superintendent of Kolkata-based BM Birla Heart Research Centre, Dr Aninda Chatterjee, (38) has now moved on to join Wockhardt Hospital, Kolkata as its centre head. In comparison with his earlier role where be dabbled in both clinical and administrative spheres, Dr Chatterjee would now be mainly focusing on administrative work. "Besides managing the 80-bed Wockhardt Kidney Hospital and Wockhardt Medical Centre, I would be playing a leading role in the upcoming 450-bed Wockhardt Hospital," enthuses Dr Chatterjee, who also happens to be an assessor for NABH and President (West Bengal Chapter) of Federation of Hospital Administrators of India.

Armed with MBBS from VSS Medical College, Sambalpur and MBA from Canadian School of Management, Toronto, and PG Diploma in Hospital Management from Annamalai University, Chennai, PG Diploma in TQM & ISO 9000 from National Institute of Labour Education & Management, Chennai and PG Diploma in medical law from The Institute of Legal Education in Medicine, Bangalore and eight years of clinical experience, Dr Chatterjee had started out as a junior resident at Telco Hospital, Jamshedpur. Thereafter, he also he shifted base to Kolkata to work in Mayfair Nursing Home & Evanowens Medical Research Center. His other stints were at Calcutta Medical Research Institute, Bata India Hospital, Bellevue Clinic, Kothari Medical Centre, AMRI - Apollo Hospitals and Ruby General Hospital-all in Kolkata.

At Ruby General Hospital, where he worked from 2002 to 2005, he was not only entrusted with the responsibility of taking care of medical administration but also given a key role in business strategy and policy decisions, hardcore business development responsibility spread over seven neighbouring states. In 2005, he joined BM Birla and took the Hospital to the next level. On being assigned the role of NABH coordinator, he guided BM Birla to become India's first NABH accredited hospital for patient safety and quality of care. His other significant contribution towards the centre had been successful implementation of the Balanced Score Card and best HR practices. He also initiated Eastern India's first air ambulance facility, launching new academic courses in clinical areas, Phase II & III drug trials.

Asked how has managed to gain experience in so many diverse fields, he says, "That's a need. As the head of the hospital, one needs to have knowledge about every department and every function." Looks like he is all prepared to take on the new role.