Dr Cherian passed away in Bengaluru after collapsing at a wedding on Saturday. In 1975, he performed India's first coronary artery bypass surgery and later also performed the country's first heart-lung transplant.
Published Jan 26, 2025 | 3:30 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 26, 2025 | 3:30 PM
Dr. K.M. Cherian, Pioneer Cardiologist passes away
On Saturday, 25 January, India lost one of its most visionary and compassionate pioneers in cardiac surgery, Dr K M Cherian. The Padma Shri awardee passed away in Bengaluru after collapsing whilst attending a wedding. He was rushed to Manipal Hospitals, but despite efforts to save him, doctors declared him dead at 11.55 p.m.
In 1975, Dr Cherian performed India’s first coronary artery bypass surgery at the Southern Railway Headquarters Hospital in Perambur, Chennai.
Not long after, he performed the country’s first heart-lung transplant and also became a trailblazer in paediatric cardiac surgery.
His pioneering spirit and expertise led to the establishment of Frontier Lifeline Hospital, where he achieved another milestone by performing India’s second heart transplant surgery in 1995.
Known as the “Hand of God” to many, Dr Cherian was born on 8 March 1942, in the Kotturathu family of Kayamkulam, Kerala. He began his career at Christian Medical College in Vellore, where he served as a lecturer in surgery.
In 1970, he moved to Australia, where he trained in cardiothoracic surgery. He went on to perform his first open-heart surgery at the young age of 26, under the mentorship of some of the finest surgeons in the world, including Dr John W Kirklin in Birmingham, Alabama, USA and Dr Albert Starr in Oregon, USA.
As a founding member of the Madras Medical Mission and the Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Dr Cherian was instrumental in shaping the future of healthcare in India. His contributions to medical education, especially in the field of paediatric cardiac surgery, are invaluable.
He also founded Frontier Mediville, India’s first Medical SEZ, and the St Gregorios Cardiovascular Centre in Kerala. Through his charitable trust, he worked tirelessly to ensure that healthcare remained accessible to the underserved communities of Kerala.
He also established the International CBSE School in Puducherry.
In 1991, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the medical field, the government of India awarded him the prestigious Padma Shri.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
