Awards and Recognitions
Dr Sushma Bhatnagar conferred with the ‘Fellowship of National Academy of Medical Sciences’
We are excited to share that Dr. Sushma Bhatnagar (President, IAPC; Chief, DR BRAIRCH, AIIMS, New Delhi) was conferred with the prestigious’ Fellowship of National Academy of Medical Sciences in an august ceremony held at Ramaiah Medical College, Bengaluru on 7th October, 2023, during 63rd Annual Conference of National Academy of Medical Sciences, India (NAMSCON 2023). Shri. Thaawar Chand Gehlot (Honourable Governor of Karnataka), and Dr. Jitendra Singh (Honourable Minister of State for Science and Technology), were among the dignitaries present in the function.
National Academy of Medical Sciences (India) is a unique institution which fosters and utilizes academic excellence as its resource to meet medical and social goals. The Academy recognises outstanding achievements made by Indian scientists in the field of medicine and allied sciences and confers Fellowship to the selected persons through a peer reviewed process.
On this occasion Dr Sushma Bhatnagar shares: “While this Fellowship recognises my achievements, I am also deeply aware of the responsibility that it brings along with it. I am committed to work harder and deliver the best that I am capable of.”
Congratulations and Best Wishes Dr Sushma Bhatnagar!
Dr Stanley C Macaden bestowed with the ‘Paul Harrison Award 2023’
We are extremely happy to share that Dr Stanley C Macaden (National Coordinator for Palliative Care Programs, Christian Medical Association of India (CMAI), and Honorary Palliative Care Consultant, Bangalore Baptist Hospital, Bengaluru) has been presented with the prestigious ‘Paul Harrison Award 2023’. The ‘Paul Harrison Award’ was instituted in 1966 to honour medical graduates or post-graduates of Christian Medical College, Vellore, who, through their outstanding and selfless contribution in the field of healthcare, have been able to uphold the motto of the Institution.
The award committee in a note says that “In recognition of his outstanding and selfless contribution towards establishing and promoting the much-needed palliative care services in our country, and upholding the motto of the Institution, ‘Not to be ministered unto, but to minister’, the Christian Medical College Vellore rises as one to call him blessed and is proud to confer him with the Paul Harrison Award for 2023”.
Dr Stanely C Macaden received the award from Thiru. Gagandeep Singh Bedi (Principal Secretary to the Government of Tamil Nadu, Health and Family Welfare Department), in a majestic ceremony during Graduation Day Celebrations of Christian Medical College, Vellore on 13th November 2023.
Dr. Stanley Macaden joined CMC Vellore in 1963 for his undergraduate medical studies. He obtained the MRCP in 1977 and then joined the Bangalore Baptist Hospital (BBH). He served as the CEO/Director of BBH from 1990 to 2000.
It was in Palliative Care, Dr. Stanley found his calling. Recognising the great need for Palliative Care in India, he initiated an integrated Palliative Care program in 1995 at BBH, which then expanded to a Home Care Service in 1998, and the Department is a Regional Training Centre for Palliative care programs. Dr. Macaden himself got trained in Palliative Care at the International School of Cancer Care, Oxford, Cardiff University and the Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Centre in USA. He assumed positions of responsibility at the national level, piloting and developing palliative care protocols, training programs and standards of care for the country. He has served, among others, as the Clinical Lead for ‘Project India’ of the International Collaborative for Best Care for the Dying Person; as Past Secretary and National Faculty for the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC). Dr Macaden also serves as the Management Convener, National Fellowship in Palliative Medicine & Nursing, a joint programme of CMAI & Institute of Palliative Medicine, Kozhikode and as the President of Sanman, a citizen volunteer group that supports the existing network of Palliative Care organisations, patients and families in Bengaluru.
Dr Stanley on this occasion shares: “I am grateful to God for granting me this tremendous blessing. I am indeed very happy that my Alma Mater has in giving this award, recognised Palliative Care which is a much needed but much neglected area of medicine and healthcare.”
Congratulations Dr Macaden! Keep inspiring us and continue your contributions to Palliative Care in India.
Padmini Memorial Award for Dr Rajashree K C in recognition of her Community Service in Palliative Care
We are extremely proud to share that Dr. Rajashree K. C (Faculty, Institute of Palliative Care, Thrissur, and Assistant Professor (part time), Department of Palliative Medicine, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi), has been chosen for the ‘Padmini Memorial award’ for her community service in the field of palliative care over the years. Dr Rajashree has been working extensively in the community at Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Thrissur since 2017.
Dr Rajashree now serves as a National Faculty of Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC), and faculty for programs conducted by leading Palliative Care Institutions in Kerala, including Pallium India, Trivandrum, Institute of Palliative Medicine Kozhikode, and also as Medical Consultant at Mental Health Action Trust, Kozhikode. She served as the Chairperson for the IAPC’s Certificate Course in Essentials of Palliative Care from 2007 to 2011. She also served as the Academic Convener of the prestigious National Fellowship in Palliative Medicine Program since its inception in 2005 to 2014.
On this occasion Dr Rajashree shares: “I sincerely thank each and every one for their wishes and support. Palliative Care (in fact health care too) is a team effort. I am the recipient on the team’s behalf. This recognition is a reminder for me to work with more responsibility and vigilance. Hope I will be able to do that. “
The award will be presented to her on 12th December 2023, in a function at Thiruvananthapuram.
Congratulations Dr Rajashree K. C. We wish you further laurels.
CanKids KidsCan Awarded with the ‘Best NGO for Capacity Building, Reintegration and Rehabilitation’ Award on 24th September 2023
We are glad to share that CanKids KidsCan, Delhi, The National Society for Change for Childhood Cancer in India has been honoured with the prestigious ‘Best NGO for Capacity Building, Reintegration and Rehabilitation’ award instituted by the Indian Cancer Society (ICS). Ms Poonam Bagai, Founder& Chairman, CandKids KidsCan was acknowledged for her ‘Outstanding work in the field of Reintegration & Rehabilitation.’
The award for CanKids KidsCan was received by Ms Poonam Bagai from Padmashri Dr. Jitendra Kumar Singh (Former Director, Mahaveer Cancer Institute and Research Centre, Patna, and the President of Cancer Care India) at the award ceremony held at India International Centre, Delhi during the Annual Seminar of Delhi Branch of Indian Cancer Society (2023), on 24th September 2023.
CanKIds Kidscan has been selected for this award considering its’ outstanding service in the field of Reintegration and Rehabilitation for patients and their families.
Hearty congratulations to CanKids KidsCan!
Rajagiri Palliative Home Care, Kochi launched ‘Community Occupational Therapy Service’ form 8th November 2023
We are happy to share that Rajagiri Palliative Home Care Service, Kochi has started Community Occupational Therapy (COT) on 8th November 2023. This will be operated as part of the regular daily Home Care provided by Rajagiri Palliative Care Service.
“Physiotherapy improves the gross physical strength and ability to move. Occupational therapy focuses on the fine movements, especially of the hands. This helps them get back to an occupation, because almost all occupations involve hand movements like writing, typing on the keyboard, making food, crafts, electrical/ plumbing/ repair work etc. Bringing them back to an occupation is our aim,” says Dr Biju Raghavan (Senior Consultant and Head of the Department, Pain and Palliative Medicine, Rajagiri Hospital, Aluva, Ernakulam, Kerala).
Department of Pain & Palliative Medicine, Rajagiri Hospital, operates Palliative Home Care service in an area of 15 kms around the hospital for free of charge, since 1st March 2018 with the support of ‘Rajagiri Karunya Trust’. Currently the Palliative Home Care Service provides Community Physiotherapy (CPT), Social Workers’ Domiciliary Care (SDC), Nurses’ Home Care (NHC), and Doctors Home Care (DHC) to patients.
Home care was provided to 1245 patients over the past 5 years. Presently 112 patients are on active care. Patients being cared for include terminally ill with advanced cancers, those who are suffering due to organ failures, bedridden due to debility of age and chronically ill. The team also sees patients with distressing pain- post-surgery or post trauma and those with refractory breathlessness with cardio-respiratory diseases.
Congratulations Team Rajagiri! We wish you further growth!