PROFILE OF SANKARA
NETHRALAYA
Sankara
Nethralaya (Unit of Medical Research Foundation) is a Registered Society, set
up in 1978 to provide (1) Quality, World-class eye care for everyone – both
paying and non-paying (through its Community Service Wing) (2) Carry out
teaching and training for all areas in healthcare, thereby creating an army of
professionals to battle against blindness (3) Carry out India-centric Research
to enhance Preventive Medicine.
Founded
by Dr. S S Badrinath who set forth the Philosophy that “Let the word Nethralaya
constantly remind me and my colleagues that the place of our work is an Alaya;
Work will be our Worship which we shall do with sincerity, dedication and
utmost Love”, the Hospital has grown into a 1500 strong organization, with 78 dedicated
Ophthalmologists, who see over 500,000 patients each year in the Out-patient
clinic and perform over 50,000 surgeries.
SANKARA
NETHRALAYA’S IMPACT ON THE NATION:
Since
its inception in 1978, the milestones of Sankara Nethralaya have been the
milestones of Ophthalmology in India .
Sankara Nethralaya has been a pioneer in dramatically changing the way
Ophthalmology has been practiced in India . The objective of Sankara
Nethralaya has been to revolutionize the way eye diseases and disorders are
being treated.
Whether
it was introducing ophthalmic subspecialities like Uvea, Cancer care, Neuro
ophthalmology, Oculoplasty, Ocular Surface Disease for the 1st time in the
country Or introducing specialized
treatment procedures like Brachytherapy for eye cancer, modified
osteo-odonto keratoprosthesis (where a tooth is shaped into an optical device
and transplanted in the place of a cornea) for corneal opacity, Sankara
Nethralaya’s focus has always been to introduce the latest treatment procedures
to benefit the people of our nation.
This
is why Sankara Nethralaya is not just an eye hospital, but a premier Tertiary
Care Institution. Many of the patients who come to Sankara Nethralaya are
referred by Ophthalmologists from across the country.
Not
just offering eye-treatment, Sankara Nethralaya has been in the fore-front of
technology and teaching & training an army of eye care professionals to
combat blindness in India .
More than 1000 ophthalmologists have been trained at Sankara Nethralaya.
ONE IN EVERY 12 OPHTHALMOLOGISTS IN INDIA HAS UNDERGONE TRAINING AT
SANKARA NETHRALAYA
Sankara
Nethralaya was the 1st institution to understand the need for primary eye care
professionals, which led to the founding of the Elite School of Optometry in
1985. It took 10 years for the next school of optometry to be started in the
country. The other programs that were started by the institution included
Ophthalmic Nursing and Medical Laboratory Technology to support the services
rendered by it.
India-centric
Research has been an integral part of the founding principle of the
Institution. From creating small changes in the equipment – like a hand-held
keratometer to examine infants and babies in the operation theatre, an
equipment which was not available in the market – to identifying specific genes
that predispose a particular condition – like angle-closure glaucoma, a
condition unique to the sub-continent – Sankara Nethralaya has been in the
forefront of ophthalmic research that helps in better Patient care and
treatment. Sankara Nethralaya was the 1st institution in the country to
dedicate 50000 sq ft of space exclusively for ophthalmic research.
FINANCIAL
MODEL: Sankara Nethralaya has a unique financial
model – self-sustaining to carry out the day-to-day activities, but depends on
society to meet its expansion needs. Our guiding philosophy has been to ensure
that the four founding principles of the organization – Community service,
Patient care, Teaching & training and Research – receive equal importance.
The
organization has grown largely due to the munificence of individuals and
organizations who have given with an open heart to Sankara Nethralaya – NOT
AS A CHARITY, BUT AS THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY AS PARTNERS IN OUR BATTLE
AGAINST BLINDNESS.WE ARE SEEN BY SOCIETY AS AN ORGANIZATION THAT SERVES THE
COUNTRY BY OFFERING SERVICE THAT IS UNMATCHED AND AVAILED BY EVERYONE – RICH
AND POOR, THE COMMON MAN AND THE MAN IN POWER. Society willingly
participates in this endeavour as they want to be part of the change that is
being brought about by Sankara Nethralaya.
THE MILESTONES OF SANKARA NETHRALAYA READ
LIKE THE MILESTONES OF OPHTHALMOLOGY IN INDIA :
•
1978 – Argon Laser for Diabetic Retinopathy
•
1982 – Yag Laser for Glaucoma and after-cataract
•
1985 – 4 year Degree Program in Optometry
•
1986 – Ocular Pathology Laboratory opened
•
1989 – Ocular Microbiology Laboratory opened
•
1990 – Ophthalmic Nursing Assistant Program
•
1993 – Ocular Genetics and Molecular Biology
Laboratory opened
•
1993 – Summit Excimer Laser for refractive
corneal surgery
•
1993 – Surgery of Retinopathy of Prematurity
•
1995 – First report of Ocular Involvement in AIDS
in India
•
1997 – Ultrasound Biomicroscopy for checking the
angle of the eye
•
1998 – GDx Nerve Fibre Analyzer to study the
nerve layer in the eye
•
1998 – The First
Eye Hospital
in Asia to get the ISO 9002 Certification
2000 – Automated DNA sequencer for Eye Research
•
2002 – Teleophthalmology – link with rural areas
•
2003 – Sankara Nethralaya Diabetic Retinopathy
Project
•
2005 – Mobile Refraction Van
•
2008 – 50000 square feet area for dedicated
Ophthalmic Research; Dedicated floors for
research in Genetics, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Pathology, Nano technology
and Stem Cell
•
2008 –
Implementation of Ophthalmic EMR
•
2008 – Setting up
of Sankara Nethralaya in Rameswaram
•
2009 –
Inauguration of Sankara Nethralaya Kolkata at Mukundapur
•
2009 – Patent for special PCR techniques for
identifying M. Chelonae and
Fortuitum
Fortuitum
•
2010 – Launch of The Sankara Nethralaya
Academy
•
2010 – Setting up of Sri Srinivasa Sankara Nethralaya
jointly with Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam in Tirupathi
•
2011 – Acquiring the latest Refractive Equipment
to carry out Refractive Surgery both in Chennai and Kolkata – The Femto Second
LASIK refractive suite
•
2011 – Inauguration of the PCR Laboratory in
Kolkata
•
2012 – NABH accreditation for the Main Campus at College Road
•
2012 – Launch of Mobile Eye Surgery Van – the 1st
of its kind in India
•
2013 – Inauguration of Sri City Sankara
Nethralaya at Sri
City north of Chennai
•
2013 – NABH accreditation for the JKCN Campus of
Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai (the 2nd largest branch out of the 5
Sankara Nethralaya branches in Chennai)
Profile of
Padma Bhushan Dr. S. S. Badrinath, FRCS(Ed) ( Hon. Causa)
Padma Bhushan Dr. S. S. Badrinath, FRCS(Ed) ( Hon. Causa)
President & Chairman Emeritus – Sankara Nethralaya , Medical
Research Foundation
Founder – The Sankara
Nethralaya Academy
E- Mail: drssb@snmail.org
Dr Sengamedu
Srinivasa Badrinath( Dr SSB) was born on February, 24 1940 in Triplicane,
Chennai. His father, Sri S. V. Srinivasa Rao, a Licentiate in Engineering from
the College of Engineering , Guindy, Chennai, was
employed in the Madras Government Service as an Engineer in Public Works and
Food production department. Badrinath's mother, Smt. Lakshmi Devi was the
daughter of a leading advocate from Nerur, Tamilnadu. Youngest of seven
siblings, Dr Badrinath was brought up in "middle class" ethics and
rooted in the culture and tradition of our Bharath. He lost both his parents
while still in his teens and completed his medical studies from the life
insurance policy money obtained following the demise of his father.
Beginning
his education at age 7, due to a childhood illness, Dr Badrinath studied at P S
High School, Mylapore and Sri
Ramakrishna Mission
High School , T.Nagar,
Chennai. He completed the "intermediate" collegiate study at Loyola College
between 1955 and 1957. He was a student of the Madras Medical
College between 1957 and
1962 completing his medical studies in the first attempt and securing the
highest marks in ophthalmology in the University Examination.
He pursued
his graduate studies in ophthalmology in the United
States of America at Grasslands Hospital , New York
University postgraduate medical school and Brooklyn Eye and Ear Infirmary
between 1963 and 1968. He worked as a fellow in the vitreoretinal services of
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston
under Dr Charles L. Schepens from 1968 to 70. He passed the examination for the
Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (Canada ) and the American Board
Examination in Ophthalmology in 1969 and 1970 respectively.
He met Dr
Vasanthi Iyengar, a board-certified pediatrician and Hematologist in Brooklyn New York in 1966, and
married her on 3rd June 1967. They have two sons. Forsaking citizenship and
immigration into Canada and USA, the Badrinath returned to India keeping their
promise to his Guru, Dr Charles L Schepens, in March/April 1970, after a seven
and half year stay abroad.
In the first
two years, following their return, the family suffered immense hardship. During
this period of trials and tribulations, Col. S. Vasudevan, Badrinath's elder
brother was of immense and immeasurable support and dissuading the couple from
returning back to USA .
From 1970,
for a period of six years, Dr Badrinath worked at the Voluntary Health
Services, Adyar as a consultant. He set up his private practice in
ophthalmology and vitreoretinal surgery at the H.M.
Hospital (1970 to 1972) and Vijaya Hospital ,
Chennai (1973 to 1978).
In 1974, Dr
Badrinath was most privileged and blessed to have had the opportunity to serve
His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Chandrasekerendra Saraswathi Swamigal, the 68th
Peetathipathi of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam.
In 1975, he
was most fortunate to have been ordained to start a medical institution with a
missionary spirit by His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal.
In 1978 Dr S
S Badrinath founded the Medical Research Foundation as ordained by His Holiness
Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal. He is currently the president of Medical
Research Foundation of which Sankara Nethralaya is the hospital unit, a
registered society, a charitable non-profit ophthalmic organization. He is also
the Chairman Emeritus of Sankara Nethralaya. Over the next 24 years, he and his
colleagues relentlessly pursued the triple objectives of the foundation; 1)
quality care at affordable cost, 2) teaching and training of ophthalmologists
and paramedical personnel to create an army for combating blindness in India
and, 3) research in vision sciences addressing the ophthalmic problems specific
to India.
Today
Sankara Nethralaya enjoys a good national and international reputation and
recognition.
The
Government of India awarded Dr Badrinath Padma Sri in 1983
Recipient
of Dr B. C. Roy National Award (1991).
Padma
Bhushan in 1999 from The Government of India
He
is a fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and has been bestowed honorary
doctorate degrees by Annamalai and Tamilnadu
Dr M.G.R. Medical University ,
Chennai, in 1995.
Dhanvantri
Award, in 1999.
Dadhabhai
Naoroji Award (2004),
Rameshwardas
Birla Award (2004),
Life
Time Achievement Award given by the International Medical Integration Council
& Optimal Healthcare Group (India) in 2004,
Qimpro
Platinum Standard-Healthcare Award in (2005),
Hall
of Fame Award (2005),
Ernst
& Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award (2005),
Felicitation
given by St. John Ambulance (24th December 2005),
Award
of Excellence (25th December 2005),
Life
Time Achievement Award given by ICFAI in 2005,
Mahaveer
Award (11th January 2006),
Nayanashri
Award given by the 25th Madhva Tatvajnana Sammelana in 2006.
ICO
Golden Apple Award for the Best Clinical Teacher in Ophthalmology in the APAO
region 2006 by APAO - June 2006.
“The Distinguished Citizen Award - 2006” given
by Hamsadhwani – a cultural organization on 17.8.2006,
Recipient
of Dr Subramanian Oration Award presented by Karnataka Ophthalmic Society at
its 25th Annual Conference on 11th November 2006 at Hubli,
Humanity
Award given by the Hindustan Chamber of Commerce – Chennai on 29.11.2006,
9th
Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati National Eminence Award given by The South
Indian Education Society, Mumbai on 9.12.2006,
Lakshmipat
Singhania – IIM, Lucknow National Leadership Awards 2006 given by the Indian
Institute of Management, Lucknow from the hands of the Honourable Prime
Minister in Delhi on 23.12.2006,
IMC
Juran Quality Award from Indian Merchants’ Chamber on 13.3.2007 at Mumbai,
Received
Corporate Citizen Award for the year 2006 by Economic Times of India on
27.10.2007 at Mumbai on behalf of Sankara Nethralaya,
Recipient
of Sun Life Time Achievement Award given
by Bank of Baroda on 20.7.2008 at Mumbai,
Recipient
of Dr K V Thiruvengadam Award for Health
Care for the year 2008-09 in Chennai on 15.10.2008.
Medical
Excellence Award function by Priya Vison, Chennai,
Shri
V Krishnamurthy Award for Excellence by Centre for Organization Development
(2009),
Received
the Life Time Achievement Awards from Madras City Ophthalmological Association
on 29.11.2009 and was The Chairman of The Telehealth Society of India ,
Recipient
of CNBC TV - 18 India Business Leader Awards at Durbar Hall, Taj Palace Hotel
on 3.12.2009 S P Marg, Diplomatic
Enclave, New Delhi,
Life
Time Achievement Award by FICCI on 20.2.2010, Felicitated by The Rotary Club of
Chennai Galaxy in Chennai on 27.6.2010,
Doctor
of Science (Honoris Causa) by University
of Missouri , USA ,
Public
Service Excellence Award by All India
Management Association on 21.2.2011,
Lifetime
achievement award by M V Hospital for Diabetes on 13.3.2011,
Received
“Seva Rathna” award from Srirangan Srimad Andavan Ashramam on 10.4.2011,
“Life Time Achievement Award by AIOS at Cochin on 02.02.2012,
“Sat
Paul Mittal National Award 2012” by Nehru Sidhant Kendra Trust at Ludhiana on 17.11.2012,
Life
Time Achievement Award by The Indus
Entrepreneurs (TiE) on 03.12.12 in Chennai
Doyen
of Madras Award on 29.8.2013 from Ambassador group of Hotels, Chennai as part
of Madras week
celebration.
The
Lions Club and the Rotarians have also honoured him.
Greatest
Global Indian Living Legend award from the President of India during NDTV`s 25th
Year anniversary celebration – December 2013.
Outstanding
Institution Builder award from All India Management Association ( AIMA), New Delhi on August 2014.
He
is a consultant in ophthalmology to the Armed Forces of India and a
non-official member of the Armed Forces Medical Research committee.
Dr
S S Badrinath has many scientific publications to his credit and works hard
even today at the age of 74 for a brighter tomorrow for Sankara Nethralaya and
Ophthalmology in India
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