K. M. Cherian | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1942-03-08)8 March 1942 |
| Died | 25 January 2025(2025-01-25) (aged 82) Bengaluru, Karnataka, India |
| Education | Kasturba Medical College,Mangalore |
| Occupation | Cardiac surgery |
| Years active | 50+ years in cardiac surgery |
| Known for | Performed India’s first successfulcoronary artery bypass surgery in 1975 |
| Spouse | Selien Cherian |
| Children | Sanjay Cherian (son)Sandhya Cherian (daughter) |
| Awards | Padma Shri in 1991 Wockhardt Medical Excellence Award in 2005 Lifetime Achievement fromKMC |
Kotturathu Mammen Cherian[1][2] (8 March 1942 – 25 January 2025) was an Indian heart surgeon. He performed India's firstcoronary artery bypass surgery and first heart-lung transplant and is considered a pioneer ofpediatriccardiac surgery in the country. He was also a former honorary surgeon to thePresident of India and aPadma Shri awardee.
Cherian was born to Mammen of the Kotturathu house inChengannur, Kerala, on 8 March 1942.[3][4] He started his career inChristian Medical College, inVellore as lecturer in Surgery. In 1970, he migrated to Australia. He did his FRACS inCardiothoracic Surgery in 1973. He also worked in New Zealand and was a migrant to the United States.
After his studies, he got the splendid opportunity to work as a Special Fellow in PediatricCardiac Surgery inBirmingham, Alabama under Dr. John W. Kirklin and in theUniversity of Oregon under Dr. Albert Starr. On his birthday in 1968, he got the most special birthday gift from his mentors in Australia where he performed his firstopen heart surgery at the age of 26.
As a young migrant in Australia, he had the opportunity to work atSt Vincent's Hospital, Sydney.
Cherian died inBengaluru, Karnataka on 25 January 2025, at the age of 82.[5] He is survived by his son Sanjay, daughter Sandhya and many grandchildren. His wife Celine predeceased him in 2020.
Cherian attendedKasturba Medical College, Manipal.[6] He performed India's firstcoronary artery bypass surgery in 1975 at Southern Railway Headquarters hospital, Perambur, Chennai.[7] He was the founder of Frontier Lifeline Hospital, where he performed India's secondheart transplant surgery in 1995.[6] He also performed the country's firstheart-lung transplant and the country's first pediatric cardiac surgery.[7]Dr.K.M.Cherian is also credited with introducing the Physician Assistant profession in India in the year 1992. Today, the profession has grown to over 10,000 graduate PAs with over 25 universities conducting the program.[8] The Indian Association of Physician Assistants celebrates Dr.K.M.Cherian as the father of the PA profession in India.[9]
Cherian was the Founding Vice President and Director ofMadras Medical Mission (MMM), Founding Chairman ofPondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS). He was the Founder Chairman of Frontier Lifeline Hospital and Frontier Mediville, the first Medical SEZ and Medical Science Park in India. His Charitable Trust has built the St.Gregorios Cardio Vascular Centre, atParumala, inKerala and his Educational Trust runs the International CBSE School named “The Study – L’ecole Internationale” inPuducherry.
Cherian and several other investors set up a hospital inChengannur, Kerala. It was inaugurated in March 2021. It sits on a 5-acre plot. The name of the hospital is Dr. K. M. Cherian institute of medical sciences.[17]
A biography about Cherian titledHand of God was released in 2015 and was written by Priya M. Menon.[6]