Speakers

Dr John Oommen MD

Vice-Chairman of the CMC Vellore Council

Dr John did MBBS and MD in Community Medicine from CMC Vellore. He and his wife, Mercy John, then moved to the Christian Hospital, Bissamcuttack in Odisha where they served for more than 30 years, till retirement. John Oommen led the Community Health Department and the Mitra program in 53 predominantly tribal villages, while Mercy John developed nursing education as the Principal of the CHB College of Nursing.<br /> Over the years, while rooted in the context of south Odisha, John Oommen has had opportunity to serve and contribute in a variety of roles ; on boards of many mission hospitals in central India ; on Scientific Advisory Committees of multiple institutes of the ICMR, Govt of India ; as a Consultant to the Govt of Odisha on the Technical and Management Support Team ; on the CCM of the Global Fund ; as Editor for the Christian Medical Association of India etc. He has also been serving for 7 years now as the Vice-Chairman of the CMC Vellore Council

Dr Priya John MD, DNB (Community Medicine)

General Secretary, Christian Medical Association of India (CMAI)

Dr. Priya is trained in Christian Medical College, Vellore and has done her post-graduate degree in Community Medicine from St Johns Medical College, Bangalore. She has worked in a medical college, PSGIMSR in Coimbatore as Assistant Professor and gained experience in teaching methodology and research methodology for medical students. She worked as a Palliative care physician in a hospice providing end of life care for terminally ill cancer patients. Dr Priya joined Christian Medical Association of India in 2012 as a Senior programme Coordinator and presently she is the General Secretary of CMAI

Dr. Vijay Anand Ismavel

Missions Network Consultant, CMC Vellore

Dr Vijay is a paediatric surgeon, presently working at the Christian Medical College, Vellore as a Missions Network Consultant. With his wife, Dr. Ann Miriam (an anaesthesiologist), he restarted the then closed down Makunda Christian Leprosy and General Hospital in Assam and worked there for nearly 30 years. They introduced many initiatives to create a high-quality model of medical service focused on poor people in a financially sustainable basis. In 2016, they were awarded the Paul Harrison Award by CMC Vellore for Lifetime Achievement. Over the past 2 year at CMC as mission consultant, Dr Vijay, has visited 180 hospitals assisting them in sustaining the healthcare mission.

Sr. Dr. Blanch Ancintha Rosario FdCC

President, Sister Doctors Forum of India

Sr Blanch belongs to the Congregation of Canossian Daughters of Charity (FDCC). She was trained in MBBS & MS in Obstetrics and Gynaecology from St. John’s Medical College, Bengaluru. She is practicing and giving leadership in a 50-bedded hospital in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, caring for tribals for the last 15 years. Currently she is also the Delegation level Coordinator for Pastoral Care of the Sick in the congregation. Apart from being the National President of SDFI for the last 2 years, she is also the Secretary for health Commission at Diocesan level.

Dr Mathew Santhosh Thomas, MD

Regional Secretary, South Asia, and Training coordinator, International Christian Medical and Dental Association (ICMDA)

Dr Santhosh is an Internal Medicine specialist trained in Christian Medical College (CMC) Ludhiana. He has several years of experience of working and providing leadership in both academic institutions and rural health care institutions. He has been involved in pioneering new health care programs especially in HIV and TB and working with marginalized communities. He was the Director of Emmanuel Hospital Association (EHA), a network of 20 hospitals and 40 community programs spread across North India. In that role, he has been involved in facilitating National partnerships with various institutions and organizations. His areas of interest in addition to health care specific technical areas has been teaching training and mentoring younger generation, leadership development and facilitating strategic thinking and planning. Currently he is the President of Christian Medical Association of India (CMAI). He is also the Regional Secretary, South Asia, and training coordinator of International Christian Medical and Dental Association (ICMDA). He is a thought leader and passionately involved in leadership training, mentoring and coaching of young healthcare professionals.

Mrs Mercy John

Nurse Educationist

Mrs. Mercy John completed her BSc and MSc in Nursing at CMC Vellore, and served at CMC for four years between her studies. In 1993, she and her husband, Dr. John Oommen, moved to the Christian Hospital in Bissamcuttack, Odisha, where they served until her retirement in May 2024.<br /> At Bissamcuttack, Mercy John expanded the nursing education program by adding a GNM course in 1996 and a BSc Nursing program in 2018, upgrading the institution to a College of Nursing. She focused on admitting students from Odisha's underserved districts and securing resources to make education affordable, transforming young girls into competent health professionals. She served as Principal of the College of Nursing and Head of the Nursing Department at the 200-bedded hospital, in Bissamcuttack.<br /> Over three decades, Mercy John has contributed to central India in various roles, including Chairperson of the Nurses League of the CMAI and the Mid India Board of Education, consultant to the Government of Odisha, Ad Hoc Inspector of the Indian Nursing Council, and Editor of the CMAI, New Delhi. She has also authored two textbooks for nursing students.

Rev. Fr. Jesudoss Rajamanickam

Director, St John’s Medical College, Bengaluru

Fr. Jesudoss Rajamanickam holds a B.A. in Philosophy from Arulanandar College in Karumathur. He obtained a B.Th. from Papal Seminary in Pune. He also holds an M.Th. (Licentiate) from Radboud University in Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Fr Jesudoss served as the Financial Administrator at St. Paul’s Seminary in Trichy. He also worked as an Instructor, teaching 'Contemporary Challenges and Pastoral Management' to theology students. He served as the Diocesan Coordinator of the Prison Ministry India in Trichy. In the Netherlands, he acted as a Pastoral Administrator for six years in Vlijmen. He held the position of Secretary to the Bishop of Sivagangai. Furthermore, he served as the Coordinator of the core committees responsible for the merger of parishes in the Netherlands.

Sr. Britto Madassery

Sr. Britto Madassery, is from Holy Cross congregation, Hazaribag. She completed her nursing education in 1968. She completed a hospital administration course at the Institute for Social Service and Research, Vellore.<br /> Sr. Britto has served as Hospital Administrator for 10 years, provincial counsellor for five years, and Provincial for six years.<br /> Thereafter, she got interested in people affected by HIV/AIDS and is still working with them. She participated in a two-year HIV/AIDS mission training in Bangalore and underwent field exposure training for ICTC organized by XISS – Ranchi JSACS. In 2010, she participated in the Global Fund's Round 7 Counselling Component at XISS Ranchi.<br /> She founded and established Snehadeep Holy Cross Residential School, which currently accommodates 222 students who are affected by HIV, from 16 districts of Jharkhand, studying up to Class XI. She has been widely appreciated and acclaimed by the State and National government for her contribution to people living with HIV.

Fr. George Kannanthanam, CMF

Director HOPE Society & National Secretary, CHAI

Fr. George is a Claretian priest with a Master's in Social Work and a Doctorate in Sociology. His PhD thesis was on people affected by leprosy. He founded the HOPE Society in 1988 to support alcoholics and drug addicts and lived for 12 years with leprosy-affected individuals at the Sumanahalli Centre. He established support centers in Bangalore and Belgaum to provide care and rehabilitation for HIV-affected destitute persons. He is a master campaigner and continue to raise local resources for leprosy care, building houses for the homeless, especially those with disabilities and many other initiatives for those at the margins of the society. With 25 years of experience in social work and healthcare, Fr. George has made significant contributions to the quality of life of hundreds of poor and marginalized people.

Fr. Biju Madathikunnel, C.Ss.R

General Manager, CHAI Directorate

Fr Biju is a Redemptorist Priest. He holds a Master's degree in Media and Social Communication from the Pontifical Salesian University in Rome. Additionally, he has Diplomas in Computer Programming, Graphic Designing, and 3D Animation. Currently he is pursuing his PhD in communications, from the Salesian University, Guwahati. Fr. Biju served as the Director of Communications for the Redemptorists at their Generalate in Rome for 5 years, and also has worked as an accredited journalist for the Vatican. Thereafter from 2019, he served as the Provincial Superior of the Liguori Province in Kerala for four years. Currently he is working with the CHAI Directorate as General Manager for Admin, Communications, and Leadership Training. Fr. Biju is also a well-known writer, having written eight books. His novel ``Bezalel`` received the Shalom Media Award. As a renowned artist, he has held twelve solo painting exhibitions and appeared in numerous group exhibitions both in India and overseas.

Sr.Marina Abraham

Sr. Marina Abraham belongs to the Congregation of the Sisters of the Cross of Chavanod. She is working in North Lakhimpur District, Harmutty, Assam. She completed her General Nursing and Midwifery in 2011 and is currently the Sister-in-Charge of Holy Cross Health Centre.

Senthil Kumar Gurunathan

Executive Director, Catholic Relief Services, India

Senthil is the Executive Director of Catholic Relief Services India, a dedicated partner collaborating closely with CHAI, driven by shared vision and aspirations. With an extensive background in leading non-governmental and not-for-profit organizations, Senthil's journey has been marked by a commitment to humanitarian causes. His scholarly accomplishments include a Ph.D. from JNU. Over the course of an impressive 18-year career, Senthil has made significant contributions to esteemed organizations like CARE India, Community Enterprise Forum International, and Credibility Alliance. Through his expertise and passion, he continues to make a positive impact on the lives of countless individuals in need.

Dr Evita Fernandez, FRCOG

Chairperson & Managing Director Fernandez Foundation

Dr Evita took over the reins of the 40-bed Fernandez Hospital in 1985, which was started by her parents in 1948. Under her mentorship, Fernandez Hospital grew into a perinatal tertiary referral centre with many sought-after postgraduate and postdoctoral fellowship training programmes.<br /> Fernandez is one of the most respected names in maternal healthcare, with three hospitals totalling 320 beds, an annual birth rate of 10,000 and a nursing school recognised today as a National Midwifery Training Institute.<br /> In 2018, Dr Evita converted Fernandez into a not-for-profit organisation. The Fernandez Foundation, a steadfast advocate for ethical practices, is resolutely committed to promoting natural birth, respectful maternity care, and establishing the collaborative model of midwifery care across India.

Fr Binu Kunnath

Director, Caritas Hospital, Kottayam

Fr BinuKunnath belongs to the Archdiocese of Kottayam. He did his doctorate in philosophy from Pontifical University of Regina Apostolorum, Rome. He also has gained Masters in Hospital Administration from St. John’s Hospital, Bangalore. Before being named Director of Caritas Hospital & Educational institutions in May 2019, Father Dr.Binu Kunnath was Administrative Joint Director to Caritas Hospital & Educational Institutions and from May 2019, he is appointed as the Director of Caritas Hospital and Educational institutions.

Dr Swami Subramaniam

CEO - Ignite Life Science Foundation

Swami Subramaniam is a physician-scientist who spent most of his career in the biopharmaceutical industry. He co-founded Aurigene Discovery Technologies, headed business development for a Danish biotech, and spent several years in R&D in Merck (MSD) and Abbott Nutrition. He currently heads - Ignite Life Science Foundation, a science philanthropy with the mission - “Making Science Work for India”.Swami is the author of three books, the first two being – Mastering Sleep, the science behind sleeping well, and Healing Hands – the biography of a plastic surgeon who set up the world's largest hand injury service at a Government Hospital in Chennai. In 2024 he co-authored Mission Possible, along with Aparajithan Srivathsan. Mission Possible is an optimistic deep dive into the current state of the healthcare ecosystem and the changes that need to be made in order to make healthcare an accessible public good for 1.5 billion Indians