Awards and Recognitions
Department of Palliative Medicine, CMC Vellore now offers DNB in Palliative Medicine
We are thrilled to share that the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has approved Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, to offer DNB in Palliative Medicine starting this year.
The medical college will be able to intake 2 students from this academic year (2024) after the NEET exams and counselling.
Dr Jenifer Jeba (Professor and Head, Department of Palliative Medicine, CMC Vellore) shares, “I am extremely joyful that our Department is now able to take students for DNB Palliative Medicine. The Department of Palliative Medicine, within a Tertiary care teaching hospital, is well placed to provide good competency-based training in the necessary skills in palliative medicine and has opportunities to excel in academics and research. Our team and department are committed to train students in the provision of compassionate care to alleviate suffering in all domains. I am grateful to God, CMC administration for the support, IAPC especially Dr Sushma Bhatnagar (President, IAPC) and my team.”
The Department of Palliative Medicine at CMC, Vellore, offers palliative care services to both cancer and non-cancer patients and is managed by a Multidisciplinary team (Doctors: Dr Jenifer Jeba, Dr T Shanthi Prasoona, Dr Jewell Joseph, Dr Susan Shekinah, Dr Jyothsna Kuriakose, Dr Swarna Dani Mathew; Social Worker: Mr Ramu; Nurses: Ms Shakila Murali, Ms Thangarathi Celine, Ms Anitha Gladys, Ms Dally Stella Mary; Psychologist: Ms Annie Jacob; Chaplain: Rev Raja; Secretary: Mr Joel).
DNB in Palliative Medicine is currently offered in 8 other institutes in the country. Please click here for further information regarding this.
Congratulations, Dr Jenifer Jeba and Team! We wish you the best in your endeavours.
WHO praises Kerala and Telangana for their approach in caring for the terminally ill
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently published a report titled ‘Expanding Availability and Access to Palliative Care’, which has been presented by a panel of palliative care experts from Southeast Asia.
In the section which talks about the exemplary palliative care models that have been implemented in the region, the WHO has recognised and made a special mention of the models followed in Kerala (for its community-driven palliative care initiatives), and Telangana (for the collaborative efforts between the state government and civil society organisations).
Please click here to read the complete report and click here to read a media publication in line with the same.
Hearty Congratulations Team Kerala and Team Telangana! Keep inspiring us.
Ms Sarada Lingaraju awarded the ‘Philanthropy Stalwart Award’ by the FLO and YFLO
We are pleased to share that Ms Sarada Lingaraju (Counselor and Administrator, Sparsh Hospice, Hyderabad) has been awarded the ‘Philanthropy Stalwart Award’ on Sunday, 7th January, 2024, during the Hyderabad Business Awards held at Hyderabad, Telangana. The award is instituted by the FICCI Ladies Organization (FLO) and Young FICCI Ladies Organization (YFLO).
The award has been presented to Ms Lingaraju in recognition of her excellent contribution in the field of Social Enterprise and Philanthropy. The award also acknowledges her efforts over the past 8 years towards helping develop standards of care at Sparsh Hospice and in training a team of psychologists, social counsellors and nurses to deliver high quality palliative care to the terminally ill.
On receiving the award, Ms Lingaraju dedicated the award to the palliative care community and the team at Sparsh Hospice who work hard to make palliative care services accessible for the needy. She also requested the business community to contribute towards various projects in palliative care through their CSR initiatives.
Congratulations Ms Sarada Lingaraju! We wish you further laurels.
Dr Ravi Kannan bestowed with the ‘Indian of the Year Award (Social Change) 2023’ by CNN-News18
It is with enthusiasm that Dr Ravi Kannan (Director, Cachar Cancer Hospital and Research Center (CCHRC), Assam) has been bestowed with the CNN-NEWS 18’s ‘Indian of the Year Award (Social Change) 2023’ earlier this month.
Dr Ravi Kannan received the award from Ms Indu Malhotra (Retired Judge and Senior Counsel, Supreme Court of India) during the star-studded event held at Delhi on Wednesday, 10th January, 2024.
The CNN-News18’s ‘Indian of the Year Award’ is an initiative to recognize exceptional Indians who have made significant contributions to various fields and have had a profound impact on the nation.
During his acceptance speech at the award ceremony, Dr Kannan shared, “Any recognition at home is very meaningful. I represent a large number of people which includes our society, the members of my staff, the community and our supporters both locally and elsewhere. All of us directly or indirectly hold hands to try and improve the life of our fellow human beings. There are also numerous other people who do so much. I feel very small and humbled to learn about what they are doing. So, thank you very much.”
Under Dr Ravi Kannan’s visionary and leadership as Director of the Cachar Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in Silchar, Assam, cancer care in the region underwent a positive and a transformational change. The center via its 28 departments now provides free or subsidised cancer treatments and follow ups to approx. 5,000 new patients annually, and to around 20,000 individuals from economically challenged backgrounds.
The ‘Padma Shri Award (2021)’ and the ‘2023 Ramon Magsaysay Award – Hero for Holistic Healthcare’ are some of the other awards which have been bestowed upon Dr Ravi Kannan.
Congratulations Dr Ravi Kannan! Thank you for all that you do so selflessly and with such humility.
CMC Vellore and Sneha Deepam Society inaugurates the ‘Ida B Scudder Hospice’
We are ecstatic to share that the ‘Ida B Scudder Hospice’ was inaugurated on Saturday, 20th January 2024, at Vellore, Tamil Nadu. The hospice is a collaborative project between Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore, Tamil Nadu, and Sneha Deepam Society.
The 15-bedded facility was inaugurated by Dr James H Taylor (Radiation Oncologist, Wisconsin; great grandnephew of Dr Ida B Scudder) and serves to be a beacon of care and hope for individuals with serious illness (cancer and non-cancer) in Vellore and nearby areas. The hospice will therefore provide dedicated palliative and hospice care services including pain and symptom management, psychosocial, spiritual, financial and practical support to patients facing serious health-related suffering and their families.
On the occasion Dr Taylor shares, “This kind of service is much needed in providing dignified and compassionate care to people in distress, including those who are underprivileged and marginalized in the society”. While Dr Vikram Mathews (Director, CMC Vellore) mentioned that the institution has taken the right step by modelling such compassionate care and thus upholding the legacy of its founders; Fr Johnny Edakkara (Former Director, Sneha Deepam Society) expressed his joy and gratitude in being a part of the prolific collaboration and shared that the facility will satisfy the needs of many who are unable to receive continued holistic care at home for different reasons.
Dr Jenifer Jeba (Professor and Head, Department of Palliative Medicine, CMC Vellore) reflected the dedication of her team while sharing, “We are committed to provide compassionate holistic care to all who need and enable them to continue to live with dignity and hope. We are certain that such a facility will be a great support to family caregivers who are often burdened and unable to care for their loved ones as much as they want to.”
For further information please contact the Department of Palliative Medicine, CMC, Vellore, at palcare@cmcvellore.ac.in / 0416-2283159.
Congratulations Team Ida B Scudder Hospice! We wish you the best in your endeavour.
Dr M Subrahmanyam receives the ‘Ata Vedukalu’ award
We are delighted to share that Dr M Subrahmanyam (Founder Trustee, Sparsh Hospice, Hyderabad) was honoured with the ‘Ata Vedukalu’ Award in the category ‘Field of Medicine’ at the ‘ATA 2023’ held on Saturday, 30th December, 2023, in Hyderabad, Telangana.
The recognition acknowledges Dr M Subrahmanyam’s contribution towards palliative care, as he was instrumental in the setting up of Sparsh Hospice, the first of its kind Hospice in united Andhra Pradesh, along with other members of Rotary Club of Banjara Hills. Through this initiative, over 9,600 terminally ill patients and their family members have received free palliative care services and enjoyed an improved quality of life.
The ATA is a not-for-profit organization, which provides a platform for non-resident Telugus to promote their language, culture, economic activities, facilitate networking, and help the Indian community wherever and whenever the need arises; natural calamities, issues with US immigration, coordinating and helping families of those who lost lives in the US unexpectedly etc.
On the occasion, Dr Subrahmanyam requested the NRI (Non-Resident Indian) community to come forward and strengthen Sparsh’s activities by donating, volunteering and to conduct awareness programs to spread the word about palliative care and it’s benefits for those in need of such services.
Congratulations Dr Subrahmanyam! Thank you for all that you are doing.
Mr Mujeeb Kuttamassery is the recipient of the ‘Exemplary Palliative Support Award’
We are happy to share that Mr Mujeeb Kuttamassery (Central Council Member, South Zone, IAPC) received the ‘Exemplary Palliative Support Award’ instituted by Suraksha Palliative Care Center, on Saturday, 30th December, 2023 at Kanjoor, Kerala.
Dr Shyam Raghavan (Medical Officer, Suraksha Palliative Care Center) presented the award to Mr Kuttamassery in the presence of Dr Raghavan Ramankutty (Founder Chairman, Suraksha Palliative Care Center) at the Dathathreya Integrated Holistic Centre, Kanjoor, Kerala.
The award was presented to Mr Kuttamassery in recognition of his voluntary service and efforts towards encouraging and promoting the establishment of Palliative Care centres in the region, and for offering support by providing the necessary training support and guidance.
A humbled Mr Kuttamassery thanked Team Dathathreya Integrated Holistic Centre and Team Suraksha Palliative Care Center for this recognition and shared that this acknowledgment only motivates him further to do his best towards serving the needy and suffering patients in the region.
Congratulations Mr Mujeeb Kuttamassery! We wish you continued success.
BHT-Karunashraya extends its MoU with MAHE for 5 more years
It is exciting to share that the Bangalore Hospice Trust (BHT) – Karunashraya have extended their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) for a further period of 5 Years from December, 2023.
The extension of the MoU was signed by Dr P Giridhar Kini (Registrar, MAHE, Manipal) and Dr Nagesh Simha (Medical Director, BHT-Karunashraya) on Friday, 15th December, 2023 at MAHE.
This MoU aims to foster mutual commitment to advance collaborative activities in education and research in palliative and end of life care. The PhD program, the Certificate Course in Counselling and the Neuropalliative Care Course are the outcomes of this collaboration. Karunashraya Institute for Palliative Care Education and Research (KIPCER) and MAHE, wish to leverage the combined strengths of both institutions to aspire and shape the future of compassionate palliative care in the country through shared learning and collaborative research.
On this occasion, Dr Simha shares, “We are very excited to be able to extend the MoU by another five years. This collaboration not only reiterates the trust between the two entities, but also re-emphasises our individual commitments towards our shared goal of empowering palliative care service providers to provide high quality palliative care services and research.”
Congratulations Team BHT Karunashraya and Team MAHE! We wish you the best!