Christian Medical College & Hospital Ludhiana (Punjab) INDIA

The Newsletter of the

VOLUME VII No. 1 JULY-2011 Morning breakfast of one parantha was not enough to satiate my EDITORIAL hunger, so occasionally one extra egg used to be added. Then Home is where the heart is! we'd rush to the Chapel to attend the 15 minutes Prayer Service followed by roll call which was compulsory for all students those On Founder's Day, we had the pleasure of welcoming the th th days; then to the class room or the Dissection Hall. After the batches of 1980 and 1961 for their 25 and 50 reunions! They day's classes, rush to the games field with tennis shoes on and flew in from all over the world to spend a day to reconnect with badminton racquet- all in line first for inspection and then went each other and with Christian Medical College, their Alma on to play different games. This was compulsory too. I joined Mater. the baseball team. The games field was where the present There was a buzz in the campus, the spring flowers seemed hospital stands. At 7:30 PM there was again the student's prayer brighter, the chapel music sweeter and the breeze gentler. We in the College Chapel for half an hour with singing, message and spent a wonderful time together and then, all too soon, it was prayer. over, with the last guest leaving and waving goodbye! Though About studies, I liked Anatomy best and our professor, Dr. Cooke everyone has left the college premises in the physical sense (a British lady) used to be very happy when I got good marks. In they are still here in spirit and continue to carry the memories 3rd year, I liked Pathology best and in the final year, Medicine. I they cherished, with them. got the College Prize for being first in Medicine, but failed to A home can be a place or even a feeling; you can always carry it clear it in the public exam; at this time, my parents arranged a with you. You are always welcome to return to Christian marriage for me to none other than my teacher, Dr. John K. Medical College whenever you like, this is your home and you Vettath, who was doing his residency in Surgery under Dr. do not need an invitation to visit. Forrest Eggleston. Our wedding took place after I passed my We hope that our Alumni continue to remain connected. We are L.S.M.F. exams in 1956. I had to go to Calcutta for the next two in the process of adding more information about Alumni events years and I obtained the M.B.B.S. degree after doing the on the CMC Ludhiana website (www.cmcludhiana.in) and are Condensed M.B.B.S. course in R.G. Kar Medical College; then I uploading the photographs of Reunions and issues of the joined my husband in Ludhiana. Alumni Newsletter. My first year of professional life was in the Dept. of Anaesthesia To many more happy homecomings!! under Dr. Frank Prior; a memorable year. How he used to teach me ! He also helped me to work by exempting me from taking Sheena Singh night calls so that I could take care of our little son. I enjoyed my President work as well as talking to patients during preoperative visits and comforting them; but as it was impossible to continue this work DOWN MEMORY LANE without taking night calls, I had to leave this job. God guided me 1951 October –midnight- about 20 of us to join the Deptt. of Pharmacology in 1960 where I worked under landed in Ludhiana Railway station from Dr. Laity from Britain. Kerala; six of us were to join afresh the By this time, my husband finished his residency in both General Women's Christian Medical college. We, and Thoracic Surgery and obtained the M.S. degree from the with our luggage, huge trunks and 'hold Punjab University. He is the first person to get M.S. in General alls' (bedrolls inside), were hurdled into Surgery from C.M.C. Ludhiana. He was also awarded the big tongas pulled by horses and taken to Fellowship of the American the college in big style. But there was a College of Surgeons (F.A.C.S) in hush when we reached the hostel, past both General and Thoracic midnight, mostly every one was sleeping; Surgery. But we faced a tragedy but our seniors had made beds for us and at this time. Our little son passed soon we retired to sleep after the long 4 days train journey. away at the age of one and half years. He had been born with a Having spent 4 years as a student, I fell in love with my Alma congenital heart problem Mater; that love is still there even today. The sound of the word (Tetralogy of Fallot); there was Ludhiana sends a thrill through me. My time in Ludhiana was no facility for treating such extended from 4 years to 16 years. patients in those days. God, perhaps, used this incident as a seed to start Cardiothoracic Surgery in C.M.C. Ludhiana. My time as a correspondence course. I am very thankful for this gift, husband was selected to undergo a Fellowship in Open Heart for it gave me a strong footing in the length and breadth of the Surgery in U.S.A, in Portland, Oregon, in the Oregon Medical Bible and was a great solace in my personal life. It helped me in School in 1962. I was also sent along and by God's grace I did my later days also to conduct Bible studies for students, nurses Master's in Pharmacology in the same Institution; thus I got the and others as well, particularly women folk. It took me 8 years to MS degree. On our return to Ludhiana after 1 year, the Dept of complete this course during which time I was a student, a doctor Cardio-Thoracic Surgery was started. My husband was the Asst and a wife. It still helps me to study the Bible. Professor. I was appointed as Lecturer in the Dept of Dr. Brown wrote in her diary about the time she was starting the Pharmacology, and after two years as Asst Professor. It was great North Indian Medical School for Women (1895): “We seek to working among students. train young ladies up to the level of hospital assistants and During my student days, there are several happy memories prepare them for the Government Examination whereby they crowding in my mind. I was greatly interested in spiritual matters will be qualified and certified as medical practitioners and have and Ludhiana CMC was the right ground for me to grow up. We official professional standing. Furthermore, in our ultimate students had several staff and senior students who helped us in goal... each of the students will be given rigorous spiritual this; great missionaries taught us many things; we had bible preparation to prepare them fully as missionaries to their own classes, family groups led by senior doctors and other social people.” service activities as well. I was with a group who used to visit the I am very thankful that I could partly fulfill her desire for young leprosy patients' colony nearby on Sundays. Four male students women to be spiritually equipped and work as a missionary to my had been admitted to the Women's Christian medical college for people. My husband once visited Dr. Brown in Kashmir and she the first time that year. We had a classmate, Rev. Moss who used told him, “Son, Christian Discipleship is a full time job”. What a to preach. We sang, prayed and dressed up their wounds. Apart challenge! Her motto was “My Work is for a King.” And she lived from the singing sessions in the chapel, we used to have a singing up to it!! session on Saturday evenings as “Torch Bearers” group in the 'Upper Room' in the Assembly Hall. Some of us used to go there After working in CMC, Ludhiana for a total period of eleven every now and then and spend time in prayer too. That used to be years, my husband and I had to come down a great blessing. After few years, this place was given to start the to Kerala to look after our aged parents Preventive Medicine Department. (1967). Our friends Dr S Joseph and his wife Dr Susy also came along with us for During my second, year there was a movement SVMU (Student the same reason. Voluntary Missionary Union) as part of SCM (Students Christian Movement). It encouraged those students who were interested to After coming to Kerala, in order to do do missionary work. I had an opportunity to dedicate my life clinical work in Mission hospitals, I did afresh to our Lord Jesus and to do His work through Church as a post graduation in Ophthalmology – missionary; this was my father's desire too; and my mother also Diploma from CMC Vellore (1972) and had told me that I had been dedicated to God while I was still in MS from Trivandrum Medical College her womb; they had brought me up in that faith and now it became (1982). I was 45 yrs then. We both worked my personal experience too. At this time Dr Brown , the Founder together in Mission Hospitals till our of our Institution made her first visit to Ludhiana from her retirement. We are blessed with four children, three of whom retirement home in Kashmir (a house boat in Dal Lake – 1953). were born in Ludhiana. She was ninety. She was escorted All are married and from the station in a special vehicle settled. Our eldest decorated on either side of the car daughter (Mini) Mary by huge hand made swans and on did her MBBS in CMC the Founder's Day –March 24, she Ludhiana (1980). Our was again taken in a similar children celebrated our manner in a procession in a chariot 5 0 t h W e d d i n g drawn by the students to attend the Anniversary in Punjabi celebration in the Assembly Hall. fashion. Now this is the th While staying in Ludhiana she gave a talk to the students at Lal 55 year of our life Kothi–staff parlour, and it was such a powerful speech. She was together. reminding us to dedicate our lives to God telling us the story of We thank God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit Joshua asking the children of Israel “whom will you serve? Baal for all the mercy and grace He has showered upon us. (world), or Jehovah (Jesus)”. Other memory is that of my waking 'EBENEZER' meaning 'thus far hath the Lord helped us' (1 up early, and looking down from the first floor of the old Girl's Samuel Chapter 7 vs. 12.) Hostel and see light at 4:30 AM in Dr Brown's room. This was May God bless our Alma her habit, all through her life, to spend the first two hours of the Mater and everyone who has day in prayer and Bible Study and in communion with God. From contributed towards it. this, she gained strength and wisdom for her life and mission. Oh! This was indeed a great inspiration for me. During this time, she Dr Naomi J Vettath presented a copy of the Scoffield Reference Bible to us, students (nee Mathew) who were interested in following her heart's desire to be June 21, 2011 missionary doctors and serve in Christian hospitals. That was a Email: [email protected] big boost for me for my Bible study, which I was doing at that CONVOCATION-2011 Eileen B Snow CMC Alumni Award for the ASSOCIATION OF MEDICAL ALUMNI Best All Round Graduate Lifetime Service Award 2011 (Shared by Ajay Alex Varughese & Simi Samuel - Batch 2006)

“ Coming to CMC as a clueless 18 year old, more than 3000 kms away from home, I really didn't know how my life would pan out in the coming years. As a co-recipient of the Dr Sybil Singh of the pioneer batch of 1953, receiving the B e s t A l l R o u n d Alumni Lifetime Service Award Graduate this year, I was overcome with Citation : “Dr. Sybil Singh has been selected after due emotion as I rolled back 5 years of my life to see the 'Me' that came here. consideration to receive the Annual Alumni Lifetime Service Award of the Christian Medical College, One word that could sum up the drastic changes & dramatic refinements I Ludhiana, for outstanding work done in India after see in my life today would be a 'Mega Metamorphosis'. What enabled & graduation. brought it around are the stupendous investments of time, love, care, Dr. Sybil Singh belongs to the pioneer Batch of 1953. encouragement, counselling & guidance that has been so generously dished As a medical student she was an active member of the out by members of the faculty, seniors & my peers. CMC has always Students' Voluntary Missionary Movement. After provided a unique blend of academics, sports & theatre. The exposure & graduation she served at the Francis Newton Mission interaction I was privileged to share here has served as nothing less than a Hospital in Ferozepur. Thereafter, she served the boon. Friends from almost all the states of India which is a unique feature of institution in the Blood Bank, Department of CMC further added to the outlook of my life. Microbiology, Department of Psychiatry and as the Doctor-in-charge of the Staff and Students Health I shall always take utmost pride in being a part of this institution & living by Service. its motto -My Work Is For A King ” She went on to do her Post Graduation in Physiology - Ajay Alex Varughese and continued till her superannuation as the Professor "Stepping in through and Head of the Department. She has also served in the the portals of CMC, capacity of Vice-Principal and took a keen interest in one thought crossed the students. After retirement she has rendered services my mind. I wondered in the Charity Clinic of the Hospital. how my life in CMC would be. Everywhere We recognize her dedication and exemplary that I went, people told contribution for the welfare of the students, the community and the institution. In giving you this me-“It's time to leave award, Dr. Sybil Singh, we take pride, for you have behind the child in you. demonstrated to us how “To serve one another in You have to be a Love”. responsible adult now”. Would CMC drain my sunny side out off me, turning me into a nerd head of some sort? I couldn't have been more wrong.

CMC gave me some of the most memorable moments I had in my life. The morning marathon to reach class on time, morning classes and clinics, getting reprimanded for not knowing answers....then in the evenings- fun time with friends, roaming around the hospital for no reason, frequent visits to local watering holes ( Big n Meats being my favorite)….. the list goes on….. Also being part of the Students Council 2009 as the Treasurer was a wonderful opportunity to serve my college.

Batch of 1976 Award for Excellence in Teaching Now after 4 and a half yrs of student life, when I enter the hospital as an was awarded to Mrs Madhu Mita Mukherjee intern, I look back and I realize that I was lucky indeed to be a part of the CMC family. CMC is a platform where you first encounter the real world. My life here has taught me patience, perseverance, courage and the will to help the needy. It has made me more focused and strong. Everything I am now is all because of what I learnt at CMC.

I am grateful to the almighty God for making me a part of this prestigious college. I also thank my parents, my teachers and dear friends who supported me in my good and bad times and encouraged me to achieve the Dr VK Satija Memorial Award for Best Clinical Teacher Best All Round Graduate Award". was awarded to Dr. Shekhar Upadhyay - Simi Samuel Founder's Day , March 24th 2011 The Founder's Day was celebrated on March 24th 2011. The batches of 1980 and 1961 had their 25th year and 50th year Reunions respectively.

The day began with Chapel Service in the College Chapel, followed by the formal inauguration and CME in the Anatomy Lecture Hall.

A lamp was lit by senior administrators, senior alumni and alumni office bearers to pay a tribute to our Founder, Dame Edith Brown. Then the batches introduced themselves and spoke about their lives, and mementoes were presented to them by the Director, Dr Abraham G Thomas, and Dr Sybil Singh. The Lunch was followed by guided tours around the Hostels and Hospital. In the evening the batches went to see the Broadway Musical 'Wicked', staged by the students and doctors of the institution. This was followed by dinner in the Faculty Club.

The following Alumni returned to their Alma Mater: Batch of 1961: Dr.Sureshwar Singh Bedi, Dr. Ashok Kumar, Dr.Kiran Bali, Dr.James D. Cotelingam, Dr. Sutinderjeet Singh Khurana, Dr. Tarlok Singh Purewal, Dr.C.S. Rakalla, Dr. Ashok Malhotra, Dr. Maney Dhanraj Etwaroo, Dr. Rajinder Kumar Sharma. Batch of 1980: Dr. Anita David, Dr. Harpreet Kaur Mann Khera, Dr. Jessy Thomas Samuel, Dr. Mary John Vettath Varghese, Dr. Payal Jain Gupta, Dr. Rawanjit Brar, Dr. Reena Saluja, Dr. Suma Thomas, Dr. Sushiela John Thomas, Dr. Swapna Mala Singh, Dr. Vani Gupta Aggarwal, Dr. Aveninder Meet Sachan Nayyar, Dr. Deepak Thatai

Batch of 1961 (50th Reunion)

Batch of 1980 (25th Reunion) Founder's Day - Snapshots Chapel Service

Inauguration & CME

Lunch in the Faculty Club

Cultural Program & Dinner International Master Class on Venous Disease (IMWVD-2011) The Cardio Vascular & Thoracic Surgery Department of Christian Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana, hosted the prestigious “International Master Class on Venous Disease – 2011” on 7th -8th Feb 2011, under the leadership of Dr Harinder Singh Bedi - Head of CTVS. The leading surgeons in this field including Prof Jean-Francois Uhl (France), Dr Ted King (USA), Dr Mark Malouf (Australia) and Dr Benigini (France), were invited to give their expertise so Step Down Unit and Cardiology Ward with state-of-the-art that the latest techniques could be used to help people of this facilities for cardiac monitoring and Telemetry System. The region. Over 100 delegates from all over India actively new unit also consists of a Noninvasive Cardiology Lab and an participated in the IMWVD-2011. Academic wing. With the commencement of the new Cardiology wing, there will be facilities available for performing increasing number of procedures like Coronary angiography, Coronary angioplasty,

The 6th Annual Conference cum Workshop of Paediatric Endoscopic Surgeons of India (PESI 2011) 4th to 6th March 2011 Stenting, Pacemaker & ICD implantations and Cardiac The conference was inaugurated by Chief Guest, Mr. Jassi Electrophysiological studies. The ICCU at the new wing is Khangura, MLA. Dr. A.G. Thomas, Director, Christian attached to the Cath Lab which will be especially beneficial for Medical College & Hospital was the guest of honor. It was well patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes. A second attended by over a 100 delegates from all over India. Cath Lab is also being installed at the new wing shortly. Mr. Gordon Mac Kinlay, from Edinburgh, Scotland, Prof Long Li, from Beijing, China and Mr. Ashish Minocha, from Association of Minimal Access Surgeons of India U.K. were the eminent foreign faculty who attended the th conference. They were assisted by 18 Indian faculty members. (AMASI- 18 Skill Course) This year the 18th Skill Course of the Association of Minimal Access Surgeons of India and FAMS Examination (under the aegis of the Association of Surgeons of India) was hosted by department of Surgery, CMCH, Ludhiana from 14th to 17th of April 2011. The course was inaugurated by our esteemed Director, Dr. A.G. Thomas. The Course Convener was Dr. Navneet Kumar Chaudhry, Prof. & Head, Department of Surgery. The faculty comprised of Dr. C. Palanivelu, the founder president of AMASI & the pioneer of laparoscopy, along with Dr. Om Tantia, Dr. Dalip Gode, Dr. B. B. Pathania among others. One of the main attractions of the course was the live workshop. The last 2 days were assigned for the Fellowship exam (FMAS) which was taken by 68 surgeons. Three of our NEW CARDIOLOGY WING faculty members Dr Shekhar Upadhyay, Dr. Pankaj Sircar & WITH 15 BEDDED ICCU INAUGURATED Dr. Vinay Gaikwad were awarded the fellowship after due rd A new Cardiology wing on the 3 floor of Beryl Howie block of evaluation. the hospital was inaugurated on March 11, 2011 by Dr. Rajender Gyani, Chairman of CMC Ludhiana Society. Dedication of the block was done by Orthodox Bishop His H g . G h e e v a r g h e s e Marcoorilos. Dr. Abraham G Thomas, Director, CMCL and Dr Rajneesh Calton, Professor & Head of Cardiology department proudly presented the new Cardiology wing which includes a 15 bedded Intensive Coronary Care Unit (ICCU), a CMC's Music and Theater Workshop's musical for 2011-“Wicked” Who would have thought that the glitz and glamour of a Broadway musical could be experienced here in Ludhiana, Punjab? Well CMC's Music and Theater Workshop made this possible when it struck yet again with its 16th production, the Broadway musical “Wicked.” The musical was held on March 22nd, 23rd, and 24th this year in Guru Nanak Dev Bhavan. The story of this contemporary and bold musical is based on the book of the same title by Gregory Maguire. The musical was directed by Dr. Sajin George, along with Jerin Kuruvilla (music) and Felix Manoharan (acting). The choreography was by Dr. Savan Sarah and Dr. Amrutha Paul.

The tradition of musicals started in CMC in 1992 with Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and has progressed CMC Upgrades to 75 MBBS Seats over the years to become an event cherished by all students and faculty. Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, under the able leadership of our Chairman, Dr Rajender Gyani and our Director Dr Abraham G. Thomas, has been upgraded to admit 75 MBBS Students from the Academic Year 2011. Students have been admitted from all over India, representing 16 states, and also from overseas.

We are proud to welcome them into the CMC family.

This has happened after 58 years of the start of the MBBS course at CMC in 1953, with 50 students; 25 boys and 25 girls; an up gradation from the previous LSMF course.

CMC LUDHIANA RATINGS IN 2011!

Out of 335 Medical Colleges in India, CMC Ludhiana ranks as follows in the surveys done by 2 leading National Weeklies:

Thank You ! We thank the Batch of 1980, for donating funds for printing this issue of the Alumni Xpress!

Outlook : 10th India Today : 17th

ANNOUNCEMENT The Founder’s Day celebrations will be held on Saturday, 24th March 2012 at CMC Ludhiana. The batches of 1981 & 1962 will celebrate their 25th & 50th reunions respectively. OBITUARIES Mrs Ann Scott (14.10.1917 to Dr Colin Hyde, PhD. (15.04.1933 – 04.08.2010) 13.01.2011) Ann Bicksler, was a trained head nurse Dr. Colin Hyde served in the Faculty of the when she married Dr Kenneth Scott in Christian Medical College for almost 4 1942. In 1952, the couple with their two years as an Assistant Professor in the boys went to live in South Korea where Department of Biochemistry [1967-1971]. Ann continued her service in the training He contributed enormously to the setting of Korean nurses. Later, after the birth of their third child, up of the Clinical Biochemistry Betsy, Ann started the first crippled children's hospital unit for Laboratory at CMCH. Colin Hyde heard polio victims in Korea, outside Seoul. In 1963 a call came from about the need of a Biochemist from an advertisement in a India for Dr Scott to assume the position of Director of CMC Missionary Magazine inserted by Prof Grüber who was Ludhiana and the Scott family made their home here for the working at that time at CMCH. Colin got in touch with Prof next ten years. During those years, Ann supported her husband Grüber and this was the motivating factor for Colin to join the in all his activities, looked after the many visitors and hosted faculty at CMCH. Colin did his training in Clinical regular faculty get-togethers. In April 1974, the Scotts handed Biochemistry at the St Thomas Hospital, London, and the over the reins of leadership at Ludhiana to Dr Nambudiripad Westminster Hospital, London, and he got his PhD in Clinical and returned to the USA to establish their first real American Biochemistry. home in their married life. Dr. Scott with Mrs. Scott Dr. Colin Hyde served in the NHS as a Senior Biochemist until and their daughter Betsy he retired in 1995. After retirement from the NHS, Colin used to visit CMCH every year for a period of up to 3 months till 2005 as a Volunteer and he would help in quality control, Contributed by standardization of laboratory techniques, taking tutorials and Mrs Ursula Hyde, and teaching of Laboratory Technicians, Medical Students and Post forwarded by Graduates. Dr Rebecca Abraham who served at CMCH as Dr Kim J Mammen HOD of the Biochemistry Department wrote about Colin, “He was a wonderful colleague, so caring and helpful”. Prof. Dr. Med. Johannes Ludwig Emil Grüber (1922-2011) Colin Hyde served in the Council of the Friends of Ludhiana, Dr Hans Grüber passed UK, for some years. Colin and his wife, Ursula set up in 1990 away on 17th June, 2011. the yearly West Midlands Meeting of the Friends of Ludhiana at From 1964 -1971 he had their Village in Long Whatton and they would invite all the served as Assistant and friends and well-wishers of CMC Ludhiana, Alumni and then Associate Professor Volunteers who had worked at Ludhiana for a day's get-to- in the Department of gether with an Indian meal prepared by them. Colin used to P a t h o l o g y, C M C L , speak about CMC Ludhiana at various churches in the eventually becoming the Midlands and disseminate information about the work done Head of Department. here. Dr Hans Grüber was born Colin Hyde was a person whose life was founded on a firm on 5th June, 1922 in Hamburg. From 1945-1951 he was a Christian faith, who was blessed with a clear intellect and was Medical student at Marburg University and between 1951- self-effacing and modest. A Memorial Service to remember the 1955 he specialized in Pathology at Jung-Stilling-Hospital in life and witness of Dr Colin Hyde was held at the Long Whatton Siegen. In 1958 he joined the Department of Pathology and Methodist Church on 02-Feb-2011. He is survived by his wife, Bacteriology of the Christian Medical College Ludhiana, as Ursula; sons, Ralph & Tim and daughter, Marion, their families Clinical Assistant. He went on to become a Demonstrator and and two grand children. Lecturer by 1963. From 1972-1976 he served as Medical Director of Christoffel Blindenmission, Bensheim. Contributed by: Dr Kim J Mammen Contributed by: Dr Kim J Mammen

SPONSOR A NEWSLETTER ! : It is our endeavour to release 2 issues of the Alumni Xpress each year. It has a wide readership as indicated by your e mails. We would appreciate contributions towards covering the cost of the Newsletter which is Rs 15,000 to 20,000 for designing, printing and posting 500 copies of an issue. Contributions may be made in the name of the Association of Medical Alumni CMCL with a letter indicating that it is for the Newsletter. The contributions may be posted: c/o The President, Association of Medical Alumni, CMC Ludhiana-141008, Punjab, India.

Contact us at : Association of Medical Alumni Christian Medical College, Ludhiana - 141008, Punjab, India Phone : +91-161-2610615 , +91-161-5010920-25, Extn.: 4548 (8:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs), E-mail: [email protected]

Dr Jugesh Chhatwal Dr Sheena Singh Dr Gagandeep Kwatra Editorial Board : Dr Nitin Batra Dr Naveen Kakkar Dr Rupinder Kaur