S. I. Padmavati
Encyclopedia
Dr. Sivaramakrishna Iyer Padmavati commonly known as S. I. Padmavati or S. Padmavati (born 1917) is an eminent India
n cardiologist. She is director of the National Heart Institute, Delhi and the founder president of the All India Heart Foundation. The institute collaborates with the World Health Organisation (WHO) in training students in preventive cardiology.
She was the first woman cardiologist in India in 1954 and established the first cardiac clinic and cardiac cath lab in North India
. She was the President of 5th World Congress of Cardiology
, New Delhi (1966), and was awarded India's second highest civilian honour the Padma Vibhushan
in 1992
), her father was a barrister in Burma and she had three brothers and two sisters
She received a MBBS
degree from Rangoon Medical College, Rangoon and later moved to London in 1949, where she received a FRCP from Royal College of Physicians
, London followed by FRCPE from Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
. Here while working at hospitals like, the National Heart Hospital, National Chest Hospital, and the National Hospital
, Queen Square, London, she developed interest in cardiology.
Subsequently, after finishing her FRCP, she moved to Sweden
for three months, where she took cardiology courses at the Southern Hospital Meanwhile, she applied for fellowship at the Johns Hopkins Hospital
, Baltimore, part of Johns Hopkins University
U.S., and was selected, and went on to study with noted cardiologist Dr. Helen Taussig. In 1952, she joined Harvard Medical School
(Harvard University), where she studied under Dr. Paul Dudley White
, a pioneer in modern cardiology.
, Delhi, where she opened a cardiology clinic. In 1954, she was among the first few women cardiologists in India, later as an examiner with Medical Council of India
she started the first DM
in cardiology in India.
She joined Maulana Azad Medical College
, Delhi in 1967, and was awarded the Padma Bhushan
, by Government of India
in the same year. She established one of the first departments of cardiology
, at the G. B. Pant Hospital, which is within the college campus. She retired as the Director (Principal) of the college, in 1978. She formed All India Heart Foundation (AIHF) in 1962, group of physicians and industrialist Ashok Jain of Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.
Post retirement, she set up the National Heart Institute (NHI) under AIHF, in South Delhi
, the hospital was opened in 1981, which expanded in following years to include tertiary patient care, research and population outreach, and where she continues to work.
Today, she is an Emeritus Professor of Medicine and Cardiology of the University of Delhi
. She was awarded India's second highest civilian honour the Padma Vibhushan
in 1992, by Government of India
.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n cardiologist. She is director of the National Heart Institute, Delhi and the founder president of the All India Heart Foundation. The institute collaborates with the World Health Organisation (WHO) in training students in preventive cardiology.
She was the first woman cardiologist in India in 1954 and established the first cardiac clinic and cardiac cath lab in North India
North India
North India, known natively as Uttar Bhārat or Shumālī Hindustān , is a loosely defined region in the northern part of India. The exact meaning of the term varies by usage...
. She was the President of 5th World Congress of Cardiology
World Congress of Cardiology
The World Congress of Cardiology is a regular meeting of cardiologists from across the world for the purpose of promoting research, training, and treatment of diseases of the heart.-History:...
, New Delhi (1966), and was awarded India's second highest civilian honour the Padma Vibhushan
Padma Vibhushan
The Padma Vibhushan is the second highest civilian award in the Republic of India. It consists of a medal and a citation and is awarded by the President of India. It was established on 2 January 1954. It ranks behind the Bharat Ratna and comes before the Padma Bhushan...
in 1992
Early life and education
Born in Burma (MyanmarMyanmar
Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
), her father was a barrister in Burma and she had three brothers and two sisters
She received a MBBS
MBBS
MBBS was a popular BBS system in the Nordic countries during the mid-1990s. It was created by a team of Oslo-based enthusiasts, led by Mike Robertson. As many BBS systems of that era, it was only available for the DOS platform. Since one process could only handle one node, multitaskers such as...
degree from Rangoon Medical College, Rangoon and later moved to London in 1949, where she received a FRCP from Royal College of Physicians
Royal College of Physicians
The Royal College of Physicians of London was founded in 1518 as the College of Physicians by royal charter of King Henry VIII in 1518 - the first medical institution in England to receive a royal charter...
, London followed by FRCPE from Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh was established in the 17th century. While the RCPE is based in Edinburgh, it is by no means just a Scottish professional body - more than half of its 7,700 Fellows, Members, Associates and Affiliates live and practice medicine outside Scotland, in 86...
. Here while working at hospitals like, the National Heart Hospital, National Chest Hospital, and the National Hospital
National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery is a neurological hospital in London, United Kingdom and part of the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust...
, Queen Square, London, she developed interest in cardiology.
Subsequently, after finishing her FRCP, she moved to Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
for three months, where she took cardiology courses at the Southern Hospital Meanwhile, she applied for fellowship at the Johns Hopkins Hospital
Johns Hopkins Hospital
The Johns Hopkins Hospital is the teaching hospital and biomedical research facility of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, located in Baltimore, Maryland . It was founded using money from a bequest by philanthropist Johns Hopkins...
, Baltimore, part of Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...
U.S., and was selected, and went on to study with noted cardiologist Dr. Helen Taussig. In 1952, she joined Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School is the graduate medical school of Harvard University. It is located in the Longwood Medical Area of the Mission Hill neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts....
(Harvard University), where she studied under Dr. Paul Dudley White
Paul Dudley White
Paul Dudley White , American physician and cardiologist, was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts, the son of Herbert Warren White and Elizabeth Abigail Dudley. White's interest in medicine was sparked early in life, when he accompanied his father, a family practitioner, on rounds and house calls in a...
, a pioneer in modern cardiology.
Career
Back in India, she started her career in 1953, as a lecturer at Lady Hardinge Medical CollegeLady Hardinge Medical College
Lady Hardinge Medical College is a Medical College for women located near Connaught Plane in New Delhi, India. Established in 1916, it became part of the Delhi University, Faculty of Medical Sciences in 1950. For the teaching and training of medical students, it has two hospitals, Smt...
, Delhi, where she opened a cardiology clinic. In 1954, she was among the first few women cardiologists in India, later as an examiner with Medical Council of India
Medical Council of India
The Medical Council of India was the statutory body for maintenance of uniform and high standards of medical education in India. The Council grants recognition of medical qualifications, gives accreditation to medical colleges, grants registration to medical practitioners, and monitors medical...
she started the first DM
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
in cardiology in India.
She joined Maulana Azad Medical College
Maulana Azad Medical College
The Maulana Azad Medical College is a government medical college in Delhi affiliated to University of Delhi. It is named after Indian freedom fighter and first education minister of independent India Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. It is located at Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi...
, Delhi in 1967, and was awarded the Padma Bhushan
Padma Bhushan
The Padma Bhushan is the third highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan, but comes before the Padma Shri. It is awarded by the Government of India.-History:...
, by Government of India
Government of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
in the same year. She established one of the first departments of cardiology
Cardiology
Cardiology is a medical specialty dealing with disorders of the heart . The field includes diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease and electrophysiology...
, at the G. B. Pant Hospital, which is within the college campus. She retired as the Director (Principal) of the college, in 1978. She formed All India Heart Foundation (AIHF) in 1962, group of physicians and industrialist Ashok Jain of Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.
Post retirement, she set up the National Heart Institute (NHI) under AIHF, in South Delhi
South Delhi
South Delhi is an administrative district of the National Capital Territory of Delhi in India.It is bounded by the Yamuna River to the east, the districts of New Delhi to the north, Faridabad District of Haryana state to the southeast, Gurgaon District of Haryana to the southwest, and South West...
, the hospital was opened in 1981, which expanded in following years to include tertiary patient care, research and population outreach, and where she continues to work.
Today, she is an Emeritus Professor of Medicine and Cardiology of the University of Delhi
University of Delhi
The University of Delhi is a central university situated in Delhi, India and is funded by Government of India. Established in 1922, it offers courses at the undergraduate and post-graduate level. Vice-President of India Mohammad Hamid Ansari is the Chancellor of the university...
. She was awarded India's second highest civilian honour the Padma Vibhushan
Padma Vibhushan
The Padma Vibhushan is the second highest civilian award in the Republic of India. It consists of a medal and a citation and is awarded by the President of India. It was established on 2 January 1954. It ranks behind the Bharat Ratna and comes before the Padma Bhushan...
in 1992, by Government of India
Government of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
.