The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Pioneer in electrophysiology “practised” medical humanism

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 06, 2008
ePaper

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Pioneer in electrophysiology “practised” medical humanism

Special Correspondent

Cardiac surgeons from around the world remember professional legacy of cardiothoracic surgeon Solomon Victor

He work explained the role of venous systems in modulating cardiac functions
His contribution to health education enormous

CHENNAI: Cardiac surgeons from around the world on Saturday remembered the pioneering work and professional legacy of renowned cardiothoracic surgeon Solomon Victor.

The Dr. K.M. Cherian Heart Foundation organised a commemorative oration to celebrate the life of Dr. Victor, who died in July 2006, on the inaugural day of the Chennai Paediatric Electrophysiology Symposium.

“Trained many surgeons”

“So many cardiac surgeons, not just in India but around the world, were trained by Dr. Victor. A year after his death, we thought it was our duty to perpetuate his memory,” K.M. Cherian, chairman and CEO, Frontier Lifeline hospitals, said.

Delivering the oration in Dr. Victor’s memory, Samuel J. Asirvatham of Mayo Clinic in Rochester, United States, saluted Dr. Victor’s contributions to the medical profession. “He was a brilliant pioneer in electrophysiology and influenced the work of others in the field all over the world.”

Dr. Victor’s groundbreaking work included explaining the role of venous systems in modulating cardiac functions. “His work pre-dated what has become commonplace in today’s discourse,” Dr. Asirvatham said. “One of his most intriguing insights, unique in how people studied the heart in the last century, was understanding the evolutionary aspects of the heart.”

“Enduring legacy”

Dr. Victor’s contributions outside the operating room were also many. “He practised medical humanism of the greatest kind and imparted nobility to the profession,” said Vijaya M. Nayak, a cardiac surgeon at Frontier Lifeline hospitals. “His is an enduring and inspirational legacy.” He was involved in several public health projects, including the Rheumatic Heart Ailment Project for schoolchildren. “He contributed enormously to health education, making health and hygiene interesting for schoolchildren,” Dr. Nayak said.

The oration was part of the two-day Chennai Pediatric Electrophysiology Symposium organised to highlight the increasing incidence of arrhythmias among children. The conference is being attended by paediatric cardiologists and electrophysiologists from around the country and Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Malaysia and The Netherlands.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu