Awards and Recognitions
Dr Pallavi Ghosh is the recipient of the ‘Bruce Davis Gold Medal 2023’
We are delighted to share that Dr Pallavi Ghosh (2nd year DNB Resident, Department of Pain and Palliative Medicine, Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, Hyderabad) is the recipient of the ‘Bruce Davis Gold Medal 2023’, in the final examination conducted at the Institute of Palliative Medicine (IPM), Kozhikode, Kerala, on Sunday, 17th December, 2023.
Dr Pallavi Ghosh beat 96 candidates after successfully navigating a rigorous evaluation process involving a two step process: Step I (National level online screening test via 100 MCQ’s) and Step II (a three level Final examination at IPM which includes an assessment of theory and practical evaluation along with a viva for the top 5 candidates who cleared Step 1).
Dr Pallavi Ghosh received the Bruce Davis Medal, a Citation, and a cash award of INR 25,000/- (Rupees twenty five thousand only), from Dr Sushma Bhatnagar (President, IAPC) at an award ceremony on Saturday, 9th February, 2024, during the 31st International Conference of Indian Association of Palliative Care at Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Dr S V Teja (Andhra Pradesh), Dr C Santhini (Tamil Nadu), Dr Sharun Mathew John (Kerala) and Dr Sai Sowmya Pulluri (Telangana) were the other candidates who participated in the Step II Final examination.
Dr Lulu Mathews (Program Director, Academics, IPM) was the coordinator of Bruce Davis Gold Medal Examination in 2023, while Dr Rajashree K C (Faculty, IPM), and Dr Ramkumar P (Senior Consultant, Department of Pain and Palliative Care, Thrissur) were the examiners.
The Bruce Davis Gold Medal Award was instituted by the Institute of Palliative Medicine, Kozhikode, with an aim to improve awareness about palliative care among young doctors in India. The award is named after Mr. Wilfrid Bruce Davis, MBE, UK, the founder of the W. B. Davis Charitable Trust, UK, to honour him for his immense contributions towards the development of Palliative Care in India.
Congratulations, Dr Pallavi Ghosh! We wish you continued growth.
Dr M M Sunil Kumar, Ms Anu Savio Thelly and Mr Mujeeb Kuttamassery awarded the Cancer Aid Society’s ‘International Award for Excellence in Palliative Care (2023-2024)’
The winners of the Cancer Aid Society’s ‘International Award for Excellence in Palliative Care (2023-2024)’ received their awards on Friday, 9th February, 2024, during the 31st Annual International Conference of the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPCON 2024), held at Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
The awards recognised three individuals under three categories.
Dr M M Sunilkumar (Additional Director, Trivandrum Institute of Palliative Sciences, Pallium India Trust, Trivandrum, Kerala) was the recipient of the award under the Doctors Category. On the occasion he shared, “I am very happy to receive this prestigious award instituted by the Cancer Aid Society. I would like to thank my team, friends, patients and my family who have always stood with me during the difficult times. I would like to reaffirm my commitment to providing comprehensive, compassionate, and dignified care to those in need, regardless of their background or circumstances.”
Ms Anu Savio Thelly (Nurse Consultant, Dept. of Palliative Medicine, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute (Puducherry) was the recipient of the award under the Nurses / Para Medical Category. Dr Savio Thelly, Ms Anu’s father collected the award on behalf of Ms Anu Thelly. “On this occasion, I thank MGMCRI for their support towards various initiatives. I also thank Pallium India for providing me with immense opportunities over the years. This recognition only motivates me to further work towards ensuring quality palliative care is available for those who need it.”
Mr Mujeeb Kuttamassery (Chairman, Life Care Foundation) was the recipient of the award under the Volunteers / Social Workers category. “Each award is a reminder of our social responsibility. Palliative care is everyone’s job as we do not know when we need it the most. I take this opportunity to thank Cancer Aid Society for considering me for the Award. I also thank IAPC and everyone else for their continued support.”
Each awardee received a certificate and a citation during IAPCON 2024.
Congratulations to all the winners. We wish you continued success!
Ms Poonam Bagai bestowed with the ‘Jijabai Achiever’s Award’ on 19th February, 2024
We are thrilled to share that Ms Poonam Bagai (Founder Chairman, CanKids KidsCan, New Delhi), an advocate for palliative care, has been awarded the ‘Jijabai Achiever’s Award’ at an award ceremony held at Shivaji College, Delhi University, on Monday, 19th February, 2024. The award is instituted by the Women’s Development Cell, Shivaji College.
Ms Bagai was presented the award by Mr Vinod Tawde (Former Education Minister, Government of Maharashtra; BJP National General Secretary) and Prof. Yogesh Singh (Vice Chancellor, Delhi University).
The ‘Jijabai Achiever’s Award’ is presented to Ms Bagai in acknowledgement of her exceptional contribution towards society. While receiving the award, Poonam Bagai spoke of her work at CanKids KidsCan, The National Society for Change for Childhood Cancer in India, and Pallium India.
Reflecting on the honour, Ms. Bagai, expressed her gratitude and shared, “Behind every great man is a great mother. Receiving the Jijabai Achiever’s Award is truly humbling. It reaffirms my commitment to empowering women and advocating for their rights. Women should have the freedom to make their own choices, and it’s essential for men to support and respect these choices. Through mentorship, I strive to empower cancer survivors, mothers, and young girls to pursue their dreams and overcome obstacles.”
Congratulations Ms Poonam Bagai! We wish you more power.
BHT – Karunashraya presented with the ‘Sevaa Dharmik Award 2024’ on 28th January, 2024
It is with pleasure we share that the Bangalore Hospice Trust (BHT) – Karunashraya has been bestowed with the ‘Sevaa Dharmik Award 2024’ on Sunday, 28th January, 2024, at a glittering award ceremony held at Eluru in Andhra Pradesh. The award was instituted by the Latha Raja Foundation – Andhra Pradesh, in 2015 to honour the memory of Smt K S S Latha.
Mr Mathew George Chandy (CEO, BHT – Karunashraya) received the award from Mr Lakshmisha (IAS, Managing Director, Andhra Pradesh Housing Corporation, Government of Andhra Pradesh), in the presence of Mr K K Raja (Managing Trustee, Latha Raja Foundation, Hyderabad) on behalf of Team Karunashraya. The award was presented in recognition of Karunashraya’s unwavering commitment towards providing compassionate end-of-life care.
On this occasion Mr Chandy shares, “This esteemed award recognizes our tireless efforts to provide comfort, dignity, and support to those in their final journey. It is a testament to the dedication of our incredible team and the trust and support of our community.”
Congratulations Team Karunashraya! We wish you further laurels.
BIACHRI and Sparsh Hospice, sign an MoU on 2nd February, 2024, to enhance palliative care delivery in Telangana
It is exciting to share that Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute (BIACHRI) and Sparsh Hospice, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Friday, 2nd February, 2024, at Hyderabad, Telangana, to enhance the delivery of palliative care services in Telangana.
The MoU signed by Dr Kurapati Krishnaiah (CEO, BIACHRI), and Mr Jagadish Ramadugu (Treasurer and Long-Term Trustee, Sparsh Hospice) aims to ensure a seamless Continuum of Care by expanding hospice and home-based palliative care services to terminally ill cancer patients referred by the Department of Pain and Palliative Medicine at BIACHRI.
This collaboration, hailed as a societal milestone by Dr Praneeth Suvvari (Consultant, Department of Pain and Palliative Medicine, BIACHRI) underscores BAICHRI’s commitment to serve all segments of society with affordable cancer care. Dr Suvvari emphasized that the MoU not only assists in managing the growing number of terminally ill patients but also impacts families by easing their pain and suffering associated with such diseases.
Dr Vivekanandam (Medical Director, Sparsh Hospice) stressed the urgency for hospitals to join forces in extending palliative care for the terminally ill, by acknowledging the rising demand and asserting that collaborative partnerships are essential to meet these needs.
Mr Shashidhar K (Centre Head, Sparsh Hospice) and Dr K Praveen Kumar (Consultant, Department of Pain and Palliative Medicine, BIACHRI) were also present during the strategic partnership which marks a significant step toward enhancing the availability of palliative care services in Telangana for those facing life-limiting illnesses.
Congratulations Team BIACHRI and Team Sparsh hospice! We wish you the best in this endeavour.
Golden Butterflies Children’s Palliative Care Foundation completes 6 years of service on 8th February, 2024
It is heartwarming to share that Golden Butterflies Children’s Palliative Care Foundation (GBCPCF) completes 6 years of providing compassionate palliative care services for children and their caregivers.
Over the past 6 years, GBCPCF has been able to positively impact the lives of over 788 child patients and families. The center has been able to offer this holistic and comprehensive care through 10,459 sessions which includes phone calls, home visits, and hospital visits. Over 7,926 child patients and their siblings have also been engaged via Art, Recreational activities, and Non-formal Education.
The Foundation has also been able to empower over 2,800 healthcare professionals and individuals from the community via various awareness programs and certificate courses offered by the Foundation.
On surpassing this momentous milestone, Ms Stella Matthew (Managing Trustee, GBCPCF) shares, “As we embark on our journey into the sixth year, I am filled with hope and excitement for the opportunities and plans that lie ahead. We have ambitious plans to further expand our reach, enhance our services, and deepen our impact”.
Congratulations Team GBCPCF! We wish you to surpass many such milestones.
Department of Pain and Palliative Medicine, and the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, from Rajagiri Hospital, Aluva, collaborate to offer CNT services from January 2024
We are ecstatic to share that the Department of Pain and Palliative Medicine, Rajagiri Hospital, Aluva, Kerala, has collaborated with the hospital’s Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, to jointly offer Community Nutrition Therapy (CNT) services from January, 2024.
Post receiving training by the team from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics and under the guidance of Ms Princy Thomas (Chief Dietician, Nutrition and Dietetics), the nurse from the palliative home care team began screening the homecare patients for nutrition. Those in need of attention were then referred to the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics for further follow up. In February 2024, a dietician began to accompany the palliative homecare team, once a week, to provide care for such identified patients.
The palliative care team continues to provide their daily doctor led homecare visits, nurse led home care visits, and social workers domiciliary care led visits. The ongoing collaboration of the Department of Pain and Palliative Medicine with the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation allows for a physiotherapist to join the home care team, on a daily basis, while the community occupational therapist joins the team twice a month, to provide care for those who in need of these services. Dr Preethy Harrison (Senior Consultant, Dermatology), a passionate community dermatologist, also volunteers with the palliative homecare team once a week to care for those identified by the palliative homecare team.
Dr Biju Raghavan (Senior Consultant and Head, Department of Pain and Palliative Medicine, Rajagiri Hospital) shares, “It is of utmost importance to provide holistic care to our patients and their families. Effective collaborations with other disciplines is the way forward to be able to provide comprehensive and quality palliative care for our patients and their caregivers. Such initiatives therefore not only help in caring for the patient, but in also improving the collective health of the community as a whole. I am thankful to my colleagues and the management of Rajagiri Hospital for their support towards these successful collaborations.”
Congratulations Dr Biju Raghavan and Team! We wish you the best!