NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, MAR 18
Rich tributes were paid to Padma Shri Dr K M Cherian, world-renowned Cardiologist and a pioneer in cardiac surgery by various dignitaries, who recently passed away at a function organised by his family to celebrate his 83rd birthday and 40th Memorial Day.
His autobiography was also released by J Radhakrishnan, former health secretary and currently the CMD of TANGEDCO. Radhakrishnan hailed Dr Cherian as a visionary and said, ”He continuously re-invented himself and always fought for the need for investment in medical research. It is because of the struggles and skills of Doctors like Dr Cherian that Tamil Nadu has emerged as a medical hub in the country”, he said.
Dr K M Cherian has many firsts to his credits. He performed India’s first successful coronary artery bypass surgery. He continued to tread new paths with India’s first heart transplant, India’s first heart and lung transplant, the first paediatric heart transplant and many other pioneering cardiac surgeries. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1991. He also founded the Madras Medical Mission, Frontier Lifeline Hospital, Pondicherry Institute Of Medical Sciences And Frontier Medville Park, India’s first medical science park.
Senior interventional cardiologist, Kauvery Hospitals, Dr Anantharaman, Dr K N Reddy, senior interventional cardiologist, Apollo Hospitals, Dr Mohamed Rela, CMD, Rela Hospitals hailing Dr K M Cherian as a pioneer who was very compassionate and who performed even the complex surgeries with ease, fondly recalled their experiences with Dr K M Cherian.
Also present on the occasion were Sandhya Cherian, Dr Cherian’s daughter and Sanjay Cherian, his son.
