Lucy Oommen | |
|---|---|
| Born | Kerala, India |
| Died | March 2002 |
| Occupation | Gynecologist |
| Years active | 1942-1988 |
| Known for | Medical administration |
| Parent(s) | P. K. Oommen Kochannamma |
| Awards | Padma Shri |
Lucy Oommen was an Indian gynaecologist[1] and the first medical director of Indian origin at theSt Stephen's Hospital, Delhi.[2] Born to P. K. Oommen and Kochannamma and sister to Jacob Oommen and Alice,[3] in the south Indian state ofKerala, she graduated in medicine from theChristian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore[4] and joinedSt Stephen's Hospital Delhi as a surgeon in 1942.[5] She then took charge as superintendent from Dr. Morris.[6]
She became the first Indian to hold the position of director at the institution, and held the post till her retirement in 1988.[5] She was awarded the fourth highest Indian civilian award ofPadma Shri by theGovernment of India in 1977.[7] St. Stephen's Hospital instituted an award,Dr. Lucy Oommen Award, in 2005,[8] for recognizing excellence inMother and Child Care,[2] the first of the awards going to Sharda Jain, a known gynecologist based in New Delhi in 2008.[9] She was awarded for her work in Obstetrics and Gynaecology including the social work that she had initiated.[8] Dr. Lucy had been a gold medalist of the year during her college. After her death, St. Stephen's Hospital added her name to a wing of the hospital, now called the Dr. Lucy Oommen, Mother and Child Block.[10]
St. Stephen's Hospital realized a growth from a maternity hospital comprising 140 beds to a general one comprising 450 beds, after the work done by Dr. Lucy. She also formed an institution called Patient's Welfare Society, which is a group that supports patients for free.[10] She was also the personal physician for the Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.[11]
Oommen never married.[4] She died of old age Parkensis[12] in March 2002.
