Abstract
The executive body and members of TSCSI convey our deep condolences to the family members of Prof George Cherian, who was instrumental in the initiation and immense growth of cardiology in India and at CMC, Vellore in particular.
Qualifications and work experience: MBBS: from CMC Vellore- in 1955; MD in 1959; DM in 1967; Completed Cardiology fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA. He got FRCP (Edinberg) in 1979 from Royal College of Physicians: Fellow of ACC since1969.
He was professor and HOD cardiology at CMC, Vellore from 1959 to 1982. He did the foundational work to start the department of Cardiology and DM cardiology program at CMC, Vellore. He was a popular PG teacher and examiner for DM cardiology. As a mentor to many of the current popular cardiologists he is greatly respected world over. He also served as a visiting professor at University of California. Los Angeles and Kuwait University. and was an examiner at Royal College of Physicians. In 2004 he returned to India and took charge as the academic head and program director in Cardiology at Narayana Hrudayalaya, Bangaluru. The students and junior colleagues were enriched by his vast experience and teaching acumen.
He also served as President of CSI in 1970. He represented India and South Asia at many world conferences. Rheumatic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, EMF, Pulmonary hypertension and CAD were his favorite areas of research. He published more than 200 scientific research articles and contributed some chapters in text books. A cheerful person with an everlasting smile on his face; people who work with him feel at home. He left behind his wife and 3 daughters who are well established in their lives. He deserves to be called ‘Bheeshma pithamah’ of Indian cardiology. The cardiology fraternity of India will miss this great professional colleague, mentor and guide.
[Inputs from Dr Hanumanth Reddy, Dr Pradeep Shetty and numerous former colleagues at Hyderabad]