Sunday, 3 August 2014

PROFILE OF SANKARA NETHRALAYA & Padmabhusan Dr S SBadrinath, FRCS


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

          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)

President & Chairman Emeritus – Sankara Nethralaya , Medical Research Foundation

Founder – The Sankara Nethralaya Academy


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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