February 2023
TSNA conducts Continuous Education Series on “Emerging opportunities in Healthcare Analytics”
The Sankara Nethralaya Academy (TSNA), Faculty of Management Studies organised a Continuing Education series program on “Emerging opportunities in Healthcare Analytics” for its postgraduate students pursuing MBA- Hospital Management, Master of Hospital Administration, and Master of Optometry. MBA students and Faculty from our collaborative partner Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science also attended the half day program held on 16th Feb 2023. Dr. R. Chandrasekhar Menon, Founder of SwiftMBA & Dean- Academics at Global Institute of Healthcare Analytics, USA was the Chief resource person.
Dr. Anuja R Singh, Principal TSNA welcomed the gathering and felicitated the Chief Guest. Mr.G.Senthilkumar, Asst. Professor & HOD- Management Studies, recalled his association with Prof Menon and introduced the faculty and the theme of Healthcare Analytics to the future hospital managers.
Prof Menon, an accomplished administrator and a distinguished academician, has been one of the main proponents of this program for several years. His related experience in analytics includes B.Braun AG, a German-based company. During his illustrious career, Prof Menon worked in Germany, Tai, Singapore, Malaysia, and many African countries anchoring sales and marketing to Asia Pacific Region and Gulf countries. He has taught various practical management courses for over 130 large corporations in India besides educational institutions.
During the session, Prof. Menon highlighted the various opportunities in Healthcare analytics, which is the nervous system of IT-enabled Healthcare. The Healthcare industry is moving from volume-based reimbursement to value-based reimbursement that is designed to achieve higher quality, lower costs, and a better patient experience. Also he highlighted the concepts of text analytics and patient-centric healthcare. To succeed, healthcare providers are forming accountable care organizations (ACOs) and restructuring their care delivery systems. He exhorted the students to develop professional networking skills.
The forum concluded with a QA session followed by a Vote of Thanks by Ms. Hansini Priya, Lecturer, Management Studies. Overall, 75 students and 10 Faculty members participated in this program.
Sankara Nethralaya bags International Patient Safety Award for “Excellence in Culture of Safety Design”
Sankara Nethralaya congratulates the Hospital Safety Committee (HSC) on creating awareness and culture of safety (for patients and staff) in the organization.
Out of 200 nominations from 70 organizations across India and all around the world, Sankara Nethralaya, won the International Patient Safety Award (IPS) in ‘Excellence in Culture of Safety Design’ category, for successfully implementing the “Recognizing Incident Reporting System,” which promotes patient safety and safety culture in the institution’s nine centres across India.
On behalf of the whole SN family, Dr. V. V. Jaichandran received this award from Dr. Jonathan Perlin, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Joint Commission (JCI) and Dr. Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Group of Hospitals at the 9th International Patient Safety Conference, 2023 held on 13-14 February, Taj Palace, New Delhi.
The “Recognizing Incident Reporting System” (RIRS) recognizes the need to report errors that are caught before reaching the patients and/or staff, so that the patients’ safety can be significantly improved within the institution.
The Hospital Safety Committee (HSC) has successfully created the culture of heightened awareness among the employees about the RIRS system over the past two years. Those reporting near misses, were acknowledged during the monthly HSC meeting by awarding certificates and their photographs were displayed at Main Portal Webpage and in the in-house app (SN Health Bytes).
During SN’s Hospital Safety Week annual celebration, winners were announced for the following categories – Best Male & Female Safety Campaigner, 5 BEST Catches, Rolling Trophy for Best Department and Branch. The RIRS system also aims to inculcate a sense of accomplishment and ownership among the SN family as they are involved directly in the hospital safety programme.
Inauguration of Amiya Kumar Ghosh Vision-Aid Resource Centre – Vision Enhancement Clinic, SN- Rajarhat, Newtown
The Amiya Kumar Ghosh Vision-Aid Resource Centre – Vision Enhancement Clinic (VEC), SN- Rajarhat, Newtown was inaugurated on 31st December 2022 by Col Tapas Saha Roy, Medical Superintendent, SNK – Rajarhat. This Vision Enhancement Clinic is a joint collaboration with Vision Aid and was dedicated in memory of Shri Amiya Kumar Ghosh of Kolkota by his family in India, USA, and Australia.
This new centre is the only one of its kind in the Eastern part of India and its aim is to restore optimal vision function to patients through early intervention. Mrs Sapna Saxena, Donor, inaugurated the centre. The importance of such a centre to serve the patients in the Eastern parts of India was pointed out during the event.
The event was attended by Mr Arijit Ghosh and Mr Bijan Mukhopadhyay, donors, Mr V L Narasimhan, Executive Director of Vision Aid India, and Mr Ankit Deb, Vision Aid Volunteer. Also present were Sankara Nethralaya family, Kolkata kDr Sujatha Guha, Medical Director, Dr Suchetana Mukherjee, Deputy Director, Rajarhat, Col Tapas Saha Roy, Medical Superintendent, Ms Bony Das, Manager Administration, Rajarhat, and Mrs Payel Das Ghatak, Head of Department of Optometry.
A Well-trained Vision Rehabilitation Specialist guides patients on visual stimulation and developmental therapies, and treat a variety of visual impairments such as visual information perception, visual behaviours, visual acuity and eye-coordination, and eye movement (saccadic and pursuit).
Vision Rehabilitation is intended to improve the quality of life of many patients with visual impairment and other brain dysfunctions.
The Vision Enhancement Clinic is located at Sankara Nethralaya, New Town, (Premises No 253333,Plot No – DJ/16 ,Action Area : 1D. New Town, Rajarhat, Kolkata).
NAME: DESIGNATION
Mr Arijit Ghosh: Donor
Mrs Sapna Saxena: Donor
Mr Bijan Mukhopadhyay: Donor
Mr V L Narasimhan: Executive Director of Vision Aid India
Mr Ankit Deb: Vision Aid Volunteer
Dr Sujatha Guha: Medical Director Kolkata
Dr Suchetana Mukherjee: Deputy Director Rajarhat
Col Tapas Saha Roy: Medical Superintendent
Ms Bony Das: Manager Administration Rajarhat
Mrs Payel Das Ghatak: Head of Department Optometry kolkata
Mr Venkata Ramanan Ramasethu: Academic Incharge Optometry kolkata
Ms Shalini Sen: Optometrist
Mr Anik Sarkar: Optometrist
Dr. Radhakrishnan, Retired IPS Presides At The Republic Day Celebrations 2023.
Sankara Nethralaya joined our nation’s 74th Republic Day celebrations with great enthusiasm and fanfare along with the senior management, consultants, staff, students of Sankara Nethralaya’s various educational institutions and their children at our main campus.
Ms. Sujatha Vishwanath, SWAN (SN Women’s Auxiliary) Trustee warmly welcomed the gathering, and invited the Chief Guest Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, Retired IPS officer and other dignitaries Dr. Girish S. Rao, President, Medical Research Foundation, Dr. T. S. Surendran, Chairman, and Mr. G. Ramachandran, Hony. Secretary & Treasurer, onto the stage. With 4 decades of meritorious service in the Indian Police Service, it was befitting for Dr. Radhakrishnan, the esteemed guest to unfurl the flag, followed by the ceremonial rendering of the National Anthem. He inspected the Guard of Honour presented by the ever vigilant SN’s security personnel accompanied by Mr. Chellasamy I. K., Chief Security Officer.
Introducing the Chief Guest, Dr. T. S. Surendran spoke of his long years of association with him as a Docto, as well as a personal friend. He highlighted his achievements in his long illustrious career to the rapt audience present. Also, he recollected the fond memories of meeting him along with Dr. S. S. Badrinath, when Dr. Radhakrishnan, L
Later, the Chief Guest, Dr. K. Radhakrishnan congratulated Dr. T. S. Surendran on becoming the Chairman of Sankara Nethralaya and also cherished the brotherly bond he had shared with him. . He praised Sankara Nethralaya for its yeomen service for the cause of vision in India on the occasion of its 74th Republic Day celebrations. He recollected how he knew Dr. Badrinath since his marriage in 1986 as his father-in-law was a close friend of Dr. S. S. Badrinath himself. He called SN as the “Mecca of Eye Treatment in South Asia” and revered how it has become a ‘Mini India’ with patients coming from all over India and from South Asian countries for treatment.
Further, Dr. K. Radhakrishnan reiterated that our fundamental rights are guaranteed to every child born in our country. We also have equal constitutional rights that were a true reflection of our culture and tradition. He advised everyone to practice equality to one another.
Dr. Nirmala Subramaniam, Emeritus Professor, Dept. of Oculoplasty received the prestigious 40 Years of Service Award from the Chief Guest with the audience giving a standing ovation. The awardee gave credit to Dr. S. S. Badrinath for bringing her into Sankara Nethralaya’s fold and also how she had learnt ophthalmology though her own expertise in the domain of plastic surgery. On this momentous occasion, she made contribution to a fund she had established for the treatment of congenital anomalies in children, which was received by Dr. Girish Rao and Dr. T. S. Surendran.
Other awards for SN employees like, longer periods of service, regular attendance and merit awards for their children were also presented on this joyous occasion.
Sankara Nethralaya Hosts “Music For Charity Margazhi Concerts”.
Sankara Nethralaya, one of the Chennai’s landmark Ophthalmic Institutions, hosted a 3 – day Carnatic Music Concert Series – “Music for Charity Margazhi Concerts”. The event was held in Sri V. D. Auditorium, Main campus of Sankara Nethralaya on College Road, Nungambakkam. Aiming to raise awareness about vision, the three days event of the musical concert had the privilege of the stellar performance by Carnatic music stalwarts like Vocalist Sri. Sikkil C. Gurucharan, Sri N. Guruprasad (Ghatam), the Sarvepalli Sisters, and the world renowned violinist, Padmashri Sangitha Kalanidhi Smt. A. Kanyakumari.
This unique fundraising musical concert series focused on raising awareness on preventable blindness and the community service activities of Sankara Nethralaya. An informative photo essay on Sankara Nethralaya’s 44- year- long journey gave the visiting public more insight into the purpose of holding music concerts in SN for charity. This charity concert continued with the Sankara Nethralaya’s long tradition of holding “The Music for Marghazi Concerts” with the patronage extended by the legendary Vocalist Padmashri M. S. Subbalakshmi Amma, who had performed several times to raise funds for SN’s Community Eye Care Services.
Dr. K. Angayarkanni, Director – Laboratory Services & Biochemistry, welcomed the keen audience. Dr. Girish S. Rao, President, Mr. Ramachandran G., Honorary Secretary, Mr. Kannan Narayanan, Chief Financial Officer, Dr. Ronnie George, President & Director of Dept. of Research and Dept. of Glaucoma Services, along with Mr. Sowmiya Narayanan, Committee Member, Sankara Nethralaya USA, lighted the traditional lamp seeking Sri Mahaperiyava’s blessings. The three days proved to be a total bliss for the music aficionados and they also encouraged budding talents who had performed for a noble cause. Padmashri A. Kanyakumari expressed her happiness for organising these ingenuous concerts to spread awareness of preventable blindness and the various community initiatives of Sankara Nethralaya. She promised that she would be very happy to attend such a uniquely themed concert yearly.
This wonderful event was sponsored by Sri Krishna Sweets, Nalli, Sai Rocks and 315 Work Avenue. Further, Sankara Nethralaya family thanks Sri. Sowmiya Narayanan, SN USA, for his tireless efforts in conceptualising and organising this musical fest in a successful manner.
The festive spirit continued and on January 1st 2023 a Mottamaadi concert was organised at the R. R. Sabha, Mylapore. Here, Dr. T. S. Surendran, Chairman, Sankara Nethralaya spoke about SN’s community services to a captive audience. Many kind hearted rasikas donated to our cause on the spot and thus joined hands with us to fight against preventable blindness. We thank Eyetex Dazzler for their sponsorship of this concert.
We wish to note that SN USA also known as the Sankara Nethralaya Ophthalmic Mission Trust is the only authorized fundraising arm of Sankara Nethralaya in the USA.
YLP Program conducted for TSNA students
The Sankara Nethralaya Academy (TSNA) conducted the Youth Leadership Program for its undergraduate students pursuing Medical Lab Technology and Hospital Management Courses. Spread over 12 weeks on Saturdays, this two hour program, held virtually by a team of Faculty members from Qatar, who are originally part of the Toast Master’s Club, a program aimed at developing confidence and public speaking skills among undergraduates.
Mrs. Sharada Ananth, Ms. Sushma Harish and Mr. Sathish Shah were the main coordinators from the Toastmaster’s team while the TSNA team comprised of Ms. Vaishnavi, Ms. Swathi, and Ms. Hansini who mentored the participants.
The 12-week program was successfully completed by 21 students, who received certificates.
The 21 students showcased their oratory skills, organizing potential and confident public speaking abilities on the concluding day of the event on 29th January 2023.
The Mentors also received merit certificates. TSNA acknowledges the contribution of Mr. Anantha B Ramachandran, Social Entrepreneur and Trustee, TSNA, JREF Scholarship fund for his effective co-ordination in implementing the YLP Program.
Smt Vani Jairam – A Sweet Melody Passes
One of our staunch supporters, Padmabhushan Smt. Vani Jairam, passed away last Friday (04 Feb 2023) aged 78 years. Smt. Vani Jairam had sung poignantly for Sankara Nethralaya at many of our fundraising events and helped to raise awareness of our community services.
The songstress was awarded the Dr. M. S. Subbulakshmi award in 2018 for her endearing friendship and good will towards Sankara Nethralaya. In her thank you speech she had recollected her experiences with Padmabhushan MS Amma after whom the award she had received was named. She had received many rich compliments for her manner of singing from the immortal legend Padmabhushan Smt. M. S. Subbulakshmi.
Smt. Vani Jairam has also lent her voice to the ‘Sankara Nethralaya Anthem’ or theme song, the brainchild and dream project of Sankara Ratna Sri. V.V.Ranganathan a long-time friend and well-wisher of Sankara Nethralaya. Smt. Vani Jairam had given life to the touching lyrics in 4 languages.