Renowned AIIMS Cardiologist Dr P Venugopal contribution to cardiac surgery— and how it transformed the institute

Paying his tribute, AIIMS Director Dr Srinivas highlighted Dr Venugopal’s transformative relation successful expanding AIIMS and establishing the prestigious Cardio Neuro Centre (CNC). “Dr Venugopal had a wide imaginativeness for AIIMS and was profoundly committed to diligent care,” Dr Srinivas said. “The excellence we spot successful the CNC today—in diligent services, teaching, research, and innovation—stems from his leadership. If the CNC has risen to go the apical centre astatine AIIMS, it’s a testament to the instauration helium built and the standards helium acceptable for each of us.”

Dr Venugopal’s groundbreaking enactment arsenic a cardiac surgeon earned him nationalist acclaim erstwhile helium performed India’s archetypal palmy quality cardiac transplant. His achievements were recognized by the Indian Parliament, and helium was awarded the Padma Bhushan. “But much than the prestigious accolades, Dr Venugopal valued the grateful words of acknowledgment from the hundreds of patients whose hearts helium mended and whose lives helium saved,” recalled Prof. K Srinath Reddy, erstwhile caput of the Department of Cardiology astatine AIIMS.

Dr Venugopal’s travel successful medicine was marked by world brilliance. He was a top-ranking pupil astatine AIIMS, aboriginal pursuing postgraduate studies successful country astatine PGI Chandigarh and earning his MCh successful Cardiothoracic Surgery astatine AIIMS. His grooming continued abroad, wherever helium studied astatine Buffalo and aboriginal astatine Houston, nether the renowned cardiac surgeon Dr Denton Cooley.

Upon the status of his mentor, Prof. N Gopinath, Dr Venugopal became the caput of cardiothoracic country astatine AIIMS and yet roseate to the presumption of Director. Prof. Reddy recalled, “He tirelessly worked circular the clock—whether successful the operating theatre, post-op care, outpatient clinics, oregon administrative offices. Even precocious successful life, helium ne'er took the summertime and wintertime vacations that AIIMS module were entitled to.”

Prof Reddy besides remembered Dr Venugopal’s unwavering committedness to world state astatine AIIMS. “He wasn’t acrophobic to situation authorization to uphold the dignity and autonomy of the institution,” helium said, referencing the struggle betwixt Dr Venugopal and then-Health Minister Dr. Ambumani Ramadoss successful 2004. “His dismissal by the AIIMS Institute Body, driven by governmental tensions, was yet overturned by the court. The AIIMS assemblage hailed him arsenic a valiant champion of the institution.”

Dr Balram Bhargava, erstwhile Director-General of the Indian Council of Medical Research and ex-chief of the Cardiothoracic Centre astatine AIIMS, remembered Dr Venugopal arsenic an innovator and a mentor. “Once Dr Venugopal had religion successful you, helium would enactment you successful mounting up thing caller for AIIMS and the country. He was instrumental successful establishing the Centre of Excellence for Stem Cell Studies, the Stanford India BioDesign Programme, and Coronary Brachytherapy for Stent Restenosis,” Dr. Bhargava said.

Dr Bhargava besides praised Dr. Venugopal’s enactment successful gathering India’s foremost centre for cardiac country and bosom transplantation. “He was a superb surgeon, a visionary leader, and 1 of the fathers of cardiac country successful India. He trained astir fractional of the cardiac surgeons successful the country. Open bosom country is simply a complex, collaborative effort, and his quality to pb and innovate speaks volumes of his contributions to the field.”