Awards and Recognitions
Dr Rajashree K C awarded the ‘Padmini Varkey Memorial Award’
We are excited to share that Dr Rajashree K C (Assistant Professor, Department of Palliative Medicine, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi; Faculty of Palliative Medicine, Thrissur) has been awarded the ‘Padmini Varkey Memorial Award’.
Ms P K Sreemathy (Former Health Minister, Government of Kerala) presented the award (a plaque, a citation and a cash prize) to Dr Rajashree at an award ceremony held at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on Tuesday, 12th December, 2023.
The ‘Padmini Varkey Memorial Award’, instituted by the Devaki Warrier Memorial Trust, Thiruvananthapuram, is presented in remembrance of Ms Devaki Warrier, a renowned charity worker. The award acknowledges women who are socially committed and engage in relevant and socially impactful activities. The award was therefore presented to Dr Rajashree in recognition of her contribution towards community service in the field of palliative care over the years, during which she worked extensively in the community at Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Thrissur.
On the occasion, Dr Rajashree shares, “I am humbled to receive this award on behalf of thousands of people committed to work towards improving the quality of life of patients and their families in the community. I have learnt a lot from my patients and am still learning!”.
Congratulations Dr Rajashree K C! We wish you many such laurels.
Ms Stella Matthew felicitated by PKF Sridhar and Santhanam LLP
We are pleased to share that Ms Stella Matthew (Founder and Managing Trustee, Golden Butterflies Children’s Palliative Care Foundation) was felicitated by PKF Sridhar and Santhanam LLP, on Thursday, 23rd November, 2023, during the firm’s 45th Annual Day celebrations at Hotel Leela Palace, Chennai.
Ms Stella Matthew was presented with a plaque by Shri. N. Chandrasekaran, Executive Chairman, Tata Sons, while the felicitation is instituted by PKF Sridhar and Santhanam LLP.
The felicitation recognises Ms Stella’s groundbreaking work in uplifting society and strengthening the nation, due to her contribution to several social causes and her work in Pediatric Palliative Care.
An elated Ms Stella shares, “Receiving this honor is a humbling validation of our collective dedication to uplift the society and fortify the nation. In the realm of Pediatric Palliative Care, it reflects our tireless commitment to compassion and healing for the most vulnerable. Let this recognition inspire continued efforts towards positive change.”
Congratulations Ms Stella Matthew! We wish you the best.
Bangalore Hospice Trust – Karunashraya signs an MoU with the Regional Center ECHS to provide palliative care services
It is heartwarming to share that Bangalore Hospice Trust – Karunashraya (BHT-K) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Regional Centre Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), to provide free palliative care to all members and their dependents (Spouse, Dependent children and Parents). This is the first exclusive Palliative care centre with whom the ECHS has signed an MoU in India.
The MoU was signed on Monday, 11th December, 2023, between Mr Gurmeet S Randhawa (Managing Trustee, BHT-K) and Grp Capt. Manoj Pillai (Director Regional Centre, ECHS Bengaluru).
The MoU aims to create awareness about palliative care and the services offered amongst the ECHS’s medical and general community.
Dr Nagesh Simha (Medical Director, BHT-K) shares, “We are privileged to be able to provide palliative care services for the ex-servicemen of our country and their dependents. This is our small way of supporting them and thanking them for all that they have done for the country.”
Congratulations Team Karunashraya! Thank you for all that you are doing.
Pallium India celebrates 20 years of rendering care to palliative care patients
We are delighted to share that Pallium India celebrated their 20th year anniversary on Friday, 15th December, 2023. The day-long celebrations were held between 9:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at the Hassan Marikar Hall, Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram.
The ceremony was inaugurated by Dr Divya S Iyer (Managing Director, Vizhinjam International Seaport; Director, Solid Waste Management Project).
Dr Sanjay Behari (Director, Sree Chitra Institute of Medical Sciences), Dr MV Pillai (Professor of Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, USA), Mr Nishan Nizar (Model, Motivational Speaker), Dr M R Rajagopal (Chairman Emeritus, Pallium India) and Mr Binod Hariharan (Chairman, Pallium India) spoke at the occasion.
This was followed by a video presentation which showcased Pallium India’s journey over the past twenty years. Several Volunteers, Officers from Pallium India’s Link centers and other staff members were felicitated on the occasion.
Mr Gautham Gopan (Violinist and Singer), Mr Akhil (Singer and Actor), Ms Shweta Harimohan (Student, Swathi Thirunal Sangeetha Academy) and Mr Gopan (Flowers Channel Comedy Utsavam) performed at the event. This was followed by cultural performances by the staff and volunteers of Pallium India.
Please click here to watch a recording of the event.
Congratulations Team Pallium India! We wish you surpass many such milestones.
Amrit Dhara Palliative Care Trust celebrates its 3rd Foundation Day on 21st December, 2023
We are thrilled to share that Amrit Dhara Palliative Care Trust (ADPCT) celebrated its 3rd Foundation Day on Thursday, 21st December, 2023, at the KIIT campus, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
Dr Bidhu K. Mohanti (Director, Bagchi Sankara Cancer Hospital, Bhubaneswar) graced the occasion as Chief Speaker, while Dr Artabandhu Nayak (Chief Medical Officer, Khurda District) joined the celebrations as the Chief Guest. Dr Abhijeet Dam (Founder, KOSISH The Hospice), and Dr Ganapathy K V (CEO, JASCAP; Clinical Psychologist, Volunteer counsellor, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai) were the other guests invited who joined the celebrations among other eminent individuals.
Dr Mami Parija (Founder and President, ADPCT) welcomed the audience following which Mr Ratan Singh (Treasurer, ADPCT) presented the achievements and activities of ADPCT. A few Doctors and Volunteers were felicitated thereafter for their dedicated services and support.
Post the riveting and engrossing talks by the eminent Guests, patients and caregivers were invited to share their experiences. The ADPCT team then expressed Gratitude to their unsung heroes. The event concluded with Ms Namrata Rath (Managing Trustee and Secretary, ADPCT) outlining ADPCT’s future plans and presenting the vote of thanks.
On the occasion, Dr Mami Parija emphasized on the importance of providing compassionate care and the need for community participation to widen the reach of palliative care services.
Congratulations Team Amrit Dhara Palliative Care Trust! We wish you continued success!
Mohandai Oswal Hospital, Ludhiana, partners with APLI on 21st November, 2023, to strengthen their palliative care service provisioning
We are happy to share that Mohandai Oswal Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, partnered with the Australasian Palliative Link International (APLI), with support from Pallium India, for the ‘Pain-Free Punjab Initiative’ via Project Humrahi, on Tuesday, 21st November, 2023.
The collaboration aims to build capacity, raise awareness, and strengthen palliative care services in Punjab. The collaboration therefore aspires to alleviate pain and suffering of patients with incurable illnesses through enhanced patient care in the hospital and local communities.
The collaboration kickstarted with the APLI team represented by Ms Penelope Tuffin (Consultant Pharmacist – Palliative Care, Perth, Western Australia), Dr David Brunley (Palliative Care Physician, West of Victoria, Australia) and Ms Joan Ryan (Palliative Care Nurse Consultant, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia) visiting Mohandai Oswal Hospital, Ludhiana.
In addition to signing the MoU, the ten-day visit by the APLI team included conducting several teaching sessions for Doctors and medical students, Nurses, and BSc Nursing students (on introduction to palliative care, PC in non-malignant conditions, bed-side teaching, communication skills etc.), a visit to the Sarparasti Hospice, and the conduct of various community engagement activities such as organising awareness sessions with representatives from different NGOs in Ludhiana. An Oswal-Humrahi Support Group was also established during the visit.
While Shri Jawaharlal Oswal (Chairman, Mohandai Oswal Hospital) conveyed his well wishes for a fruitful and impactful healthcare collaboration, Dr Navish David (Palliative Care Consultant, Mohandai Oswal Hospital) highlighted the partnership’s significance in advancing medical education and its potential contribution towards improving the standards of delivering palliative care in the region.
Congratulations Team Mohandai Oswal Hospital! We wish you the best in your future endeavours.