Tribute to Dr. SS Badrinath: Honouring the Legacy of Sankara Nethralaya’s Founder
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our chief, Padma Bhushan Dr. SS Badrinath, the visionary founder of Sankara Nethralaya, who left for his heavenly abode in Chennai early morning on November 21, 2023.
Dr. SS Badrinath ‘s legacy symbolises commitment to revolutionizing ophthalmic care. His pioneering efforts in the field of eye care have touched the lives of innumerable individuals, restoring vision to those in need.
His journey began with a vision to establish a centre of excellence dedicated to eradicating preventable blindness, a vision that materialized into the renowned institution, Sankara Nethralaya. Under his guidance, the institution flourished, becoming a pioneer of exceptional eye care services, research, and education in India. A visionary leader, a compassionate healer, and a revered mentor, our chief’s impact extended far beyond the walls of the hospital.
In this time of mourning, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family, friends, colleagues, and the extended Sankara Nethralaya community. His legacy of compassion, dedication, and service will forever remain in our hearts and in the noble work that continues at Sankara Nethralaya.
As we bid farewell to a luminary whose brilliance illuminated countless lives, we find solace in knowing that his legacy will continue to guide and inspire generations to come. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Dr Jaichandran V V received his 2nd Patent Certificate from The Patent Office, Govt of India.
Sankara Nethralaya congratulates Dr. Jaichandran VV, Deputy Director, Department of Anaesthesiology for being honored with a Patent Certificate for his pioneering work. Collaborating with the Department of Electrical Engineering at IIT-Madras, he developed a ground-breaking “Real-Time View Simulator for Practicing Peribulbar Blocks.”
This innovative simulator promises to offer real-time visualization capabilities. This achievement signifies a leap forward in improving precision and safety in medical procedures. Dr. Jaichandran’s patent award reflects his exceptional contributions and marks a significant milestone in ophthalmic anaesthesia.
Dr. Sheila John Bags Award at Telemedicon 2023
In a remarkable feat, Dr. Sheila John, Head Of The Department, Tele Ophthalmology, played a pivotal role at the Telemedicon 2023 conference held in Goa from November 3rd to 5th. Dr. Sheila presented ground-breaking insights with her paper and won the second prize. She also garnered acclaim by receiving two prestigious awards for her contribution to the field of telemedicine.
Adding another feather to her cap, Dr. Sheila John has also been appointed as an executive member to the national body of the Telemedicine Society of India. This esteemed position, bestowed upon her for a duration of two years from 2023 to 2025, recognizes her expertise and leadership in the realm of telemedicine.
The Telemedicon 2023 conference served as a platform for experts, professionals, and organizations to converge, discuss, and showcase the latest advancements in telemedicine. Dr. Sheila John’s active participation, coupled with her accolades and new appointment, exemplifies Sankara Nethralaya’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of healthcare.
Inauguration of Sankara Nethralaya’s Refractive Surgery Suite in JKCN Complex
In a momentous event, Sankara Nethralaya proudly inaugurated a cutting-edge refractive surgery suite in the AS block of JKCN Complex on October 25, 2023. The ceremony brought together a distinguished assembly of key figures, led by the institution’s top leadership and prominent members of the medical community.
Key Attendees
The inauguration ceremony was graced by the presence of Lasik staff along with some of the top associates of Sankara Nethralaya, including:
Dr. TS Surendran – Chairman & Director, Pediatric Ophthalmology
Dr. Girish Shiva Rao – President and Executive Medical Director
Dr. Nirmala Subramaniam – Emeritus Professor, Ophthalmology – Oculoplasty
Dr. Prema Padmanabhan – Distinguished Senior Consultant, Ophthalmology – Cornea
Dr. L Vijaya – Distinguished Senior Consultant, Ophthalmology – Glaucoma
Dr. Rama Rajagopal – Director, Ophthalmology – Cornea
Dr. Chetan Rao – Senior Consultant, Ophthalmology – Vitreo Retinal
Dr. Iyer Geetha Krishnan – Senior Consultant, Ophthalmology – Cornea
Dr. Sudhir RR – Senior Consultant, Ophthalmology – Cornea
Dr. Pramod S Bhende – Director, Ophthalmology – Vitreo Retinal
Mr. Kannan Narayanan – Hon. Treasurer
Ms. Banumati Ramkrishnan – Treasurer, SN USA
Inauguration Ceremony
The event kicked off with a solemn and traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness. Following the lamp-lighting, a sacred pooja ceremony was performed, invoking divine blessings to ensure the success and prosperity of the newly inaugurated refractive surgery suite. Outfitted with the latest technological advancements, the new surgical suite solidifies Sankara Nethralaya’s position as a leader in the field of eye care.
Renowned Ophthalmologist Dr. Jyotirmay Biswas Honored with Honorary Fellowship by American College of Surgeons
In a remarkable honor for the field of ophthalmology, Dr. Jyotirmay Biswas, Director of Uveitis & Ocular Pathology Department, received the prestigious recognition of an honorary fellowship from the American College of Surgeons. The award was bestowed upon him during the grand convocation ceremony held at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center earlier this month.
One of his notable engagements was at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, where he participated in a Uveitis clinic collaborating with Dr. Lucia Sobrin, Head of the Uveitis Specialist department. Furthermore, Dr. Biswas took the opportunity to share his expertise by delivering a guest lecture on the subject of retinal vasculitis. The lecture was also made available online and was broadcasted throughout the branches of Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.
Congratulations, Dr. Biswas, on your well-deserved honor and remarkable contributions to ophthalmology!
World sight day – Vision Screening Program Pediatric optometry and Vision Enhancement clinic
On the occasion of World Sight Day, the Department of Pediatric Optometry and Vision Enhancement Clinic initiated an eye screening camp at the National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities (NIEPMD). This program was conducted under the guidance of Dr. Rashima and led by Ms. Tharakeswari, Senior Optometrist, between October 16 and 17, 2023.
The screening program began with a small inauguration ceremony attended by Shri Nachiketa Rout, Director & Administration, Dr. Amarnath from the Department of Medical Science, and Dr. Vijayalakshmi, a Pediatrician. During the function, Ms. Tharakeswari explained the importance of vision screening in children with special needs.
As many as 127 children with cross-disabilities and neurodevelopmental disorders, ranging between the ages of one and 20 were screened. Among them, 30 children were referred to our hospital for further evaluation and management, while 11 children were directed to the Vision Enhancement Clinic for rehabilitation.
The screening team consisted of Ms. Libiya, a Vision Rehab Specialist, Optometrists Ms. Gowsalya, Ms. Dhanalakshmi, Ms. Indira, Ms. Praveena, Ms. Nikitha, Ms. Karthika (TSNA Low Vision Fellowship student) and ESO Optometry Internship students Mr. Hariharan, Ms. Jayasanthiya, Ms. Dharshini.
ESO Principal Dr. Anuradha N Defends Her Diplomate in Public Health and Environmental Vision
Sankara Nethralaya extends our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Anuradha N, Principal of ESO (Elite School of Optometry), on her remarkable achievement!
Dr. Anuradha N has successfully defended her Diplomate in the Public Health and Environmental Vision section by the American Academy of Optometry on the 13th of October, 2023. Dr. Anuradha is also the first person to represent from South Asia in Public Health and Environmental Vision.
Sankara Nethralaya is incredibly proud of her accomplishment and eagerly anticipate the impact she will continue to make in the field of vision and eye care. Join us in congratulating Dr. Anuradha N for her outstanding achievement!
Dr.Rajeswari Mahadevan Memorial Scientific Session – First Physical Conference, 2023
Dr. Rajeswari Mahadevan is a name that is etched in the field of contact lens practice in India. Fondly remembered as Dr. Raji, with two decades of experience in the field of contact lens and international acclaim, she had been a trendsetter in various innovations in CL practice and specialty CL practice in India. In her fond memory, Sankara Nethralaya initiated “Dr. Rajeswari Mahadevan Memorial Contact Lens Oration” on her birthday, September 9 since 2020.
The 4th Dr. Rajeswari Mahadevan Memorial Scientific Session was held on September 9th and 10th, 2023. On the 9th of September, an online quiz competition was conducted exclusively for optometry undergraduate students. On the 10th of September, the event transitioned to the first physical conference in the last 4 years, showcasing the keynote speeches and research presentations centered on the field of contact lenses. We have received around 145 registrants, out of which 83 were external registrants and 62 were in-house registrants.
We had 10 optometry Colleges who had enthusiastically participated in an online Quiz contest which was engaging for the students. We had 12 oral scientific papers and case reports from various optometry colleges and contact lens practitioners.
This time, we had eminent international and national speakers addressing in a hybrid mode – “Unveiling the advancements in scleral lens practice by Ms Daddi Fadel, Clinical Scientist –Centre for Ocular Research and Education, University of Waterloo, Canada. Independence Contact lens practice by Mr. Yeshwant Saoji, Senior Optometrist, Saoji Vision Care Nagpur and the Research opportunities in Contact lens by Dr. Jaya Sowjanya Siddireddy, Lecturer, University of Canberra, Australia and by Dr. Pradipta Bhattacharya, Postdoctoral fellow at University of Houston, Australia. The response and the feedback that was received for each talk were remarkable.
There were oral scientific presentations, e-posters, and scientific reviews presented by many delegates from across the country. All the contests were judged by judges from India including Mr. Yeshwant Saoji, Dr. Anuradha N, Dr. Krishna Kumar R, Mr. Nilesh Thite Executive Manager of Educations programs at IACLE, Optom Irene Sophia, who evaluated the entries. This year’s panel discussion was newly initiated and moderated by Mr. Yeshwant Saoji, Senior optometrist, Ms. Vandana Kamath, HOD and Assistant Professor Sankara college of Optometry Bengaluru, Ms. B S Savita Consultant Optometrist Eyeful Optometry clinic and Ms. Madhumathi S Deputy Manager, Contact lens department, Sankara Nethralaya. The event was attended by the President of the Medical Research Foundation Dr. Girish S Rao, Dr. N Anuradha, Principal of Elite School of Optometry, and Dr. R Krishna Kumar, Advisor-Optometry, Sankara Nethralaya, Medical Research Foundation.Also, we had an informative session on Orthokeratology and GOV products by one of the sponsors of the event Mr. Swastik from Vsquare Pvt. Ltd.
Cash prizes were announced to the award winners for the following categories –Best Oral presentation was awarded to Ms. Vanessa Barnes from Vision Care Lab, Mumbai, Best E -poster was awarded to Ms.Keerthana, Intern -Elite School of Optometry, the best scientific Review was awarded to Mr. Krishna Shah –CL optometrist, Sankara Nethralaya, the best photography by Ms. Varsa Harinya, CL optometrist, Sankara Nethralaya and the Best Quiz Winning Team was Manipal College of Health Professionals, Manipal, Karnataka.
Overall the session well on well with lots of brainstorming discussions and appreciation from all the delegates.
Dr. Jyotirmay Biswas, Director of Uveitis & Ocular Pathology Dept Wins the Dr Joseph Gnanadickam Gold Medal Oration Award 2023
Dr. Jyotirmay Biswas attended the 70th Platinum Jubilee Annual Conference of Tamil Nadu Ophthalmic Association held in Trichy on 04.08.2023, 05.08.2023 and 06.08.2023. He was awarded the Dr Joseph Gnanadickam Gold Medal Oration Award 2023 during the inaugural ceremony.
The Dr Joseph Gnanadickam Gold Medal Oration Award was instituted in 1983 and is awarded every year at the Annual State Conference to the senior outstanding and eminent ophthalmologists for excellence in ophthalmologic education training and research. This award was also received earlier by Sankara Nethralaya Stalwarts like Dr. S. S. Badrinath, and Dr. T. S. Surendran.
Sankara Nethralaya wins BEST OPHTHALMOLOGY SPECIALTY HOSPITAL
We are proud to be named as the Winner of the Best Ophthalmology Specialty Hospital at the SICCI MedTech Conference and Healthcare Awards 2023 held on 28th July 2023.
Sankara Nethralaya thanks all our consultants, optometrists, healthcare workers, staff and employees for their dedication and compassion.
The Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) is India’s oldest & most prestigious Industry Association and is also a founder member of The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).