K. M. Cherian

K. M. Cherian is a leading Indian heart surgeon who has pioneered new treatments, founded new hospitals and earned an international reputation. He is the founding chairman of Frontier Lifeline based in Chennai, and the Dr K M Cherian Heart Foundation.

Dr. Cherian performed the first coronary artery bypass surgery in India in 1975. He also performed the country's second heart transplant, first infant cardiac surgery and the first heart and lung transplant (1999).^[1]

Pioneering pediatric cardiac surgery in India, Dr. Cherian has performed more than 32,000 operations, a unique record in itself. With a passion to save lives, Dr. Cherian has pioneered the first coronary artery bypass surgery in India^[2] as well as the first heart transplant after the legislation of Brain Death in India; the first bilateral lung transplant; the first Pediatric Heart transplant; the first Auto transplant; and the first Heart and Lung transplant.(1999)[1]. He is the first Indian member of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, as well as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, London, and an honorary member of the Malaysian Association for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, just to mention a few of his affiliations.

Recognition

Dr. Cherian was honorary surgeon to the President of India from 1990 to 1993. He was awarded Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1991. He received a Wockhardt Medical Excellence Award in 2005, through a panel organized by Harvard Medical School.^[3] He has also received honorary professorships from universities in China.^[4] Honors and awards have been bestowed upon him, notably the Padmashri Award by the Govt. of India in 1991 and the unique honor of having been the Honorary Surgeon to the President of India from 1990 to 1993.^[5]

He received a Wockhardt Medical Excellence Award in 2005, through a panel organized by Harvard Medical School. Dr Cherian has authored more than 285 national and international publications, co-authored books on Pediatric Cardiac Surgery and is the only Asian author to contribute to the Textbook of Cardiac Surgery, an essential bible to all cardiac surgeons.

His name is engraved in one of the stones at Kos Island, Greece along with three other Indian surgeons,^[6] the birth place of the medical profession and Hippocrates, the “Father of Medicine”, on the occasion of the 18th World Congress held by the World Society of Cardio Thoracic Surgeons held between 30 April – 3 May 2008^[7].

K. M. Cherian's charitable endeavours were recognized by Mother Teresa, who appreciated his intense charitable efforts and had constantly referred poor patients to him.^{[citation needed]}

Dr. Cherian is also an advocate for organ donation and is the leading authority in heart transplant procedures in the country. His philosophy is summed up as “Health care is an industry but care of the sick is not an industry.” ^[8]

Dr. Cherian was awarded the presidency of the World Congress of the World Society of Cardio Thoracic Surgeons for the year 2010-2011. This congress was held for the first time in India at Chennai. Key thematic oration was delivered by Mr. Algore. The Congress happened between 20 – 23 October 2010. ^[9]

References

1. ^ A surgical feat
2. ^ http://www.rediff.com/news/2004/mar/08spec.htm
3. ^ Wockhardt
4. ^ Chinese varsities confer Dr. Cherian the honor of visiting professorship - Pharma People
5. ^ Honorary suregon to the president
6. ^ page8
7. ^ http://www.clraindia.org/include/IMPF%20nl%20Feb%2008.pdf page.8
8. ^ http://www.expresshealthcare.in/200907/medicall200907.shtml
9. ^ 20th WSCTS

External links

• Report of 64th birthday, News Today, Chennai

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