Staff at Christian Medical College Vellore can apply for funding through what are known as Senior Training Fellowships (STFs) to undertake training placements abroad. This initiative enables CMC’s talented healthcare professionals to gain invaluable experience, enriching their skills and enhancing their capacity to deliver world-class healthcare.
Friends of Vellore UK, recognising the impact of global learning, have committed to fund two STF grants per year. These may last between 1-3 months and will cost up to £6000 each. This initiative allows CMC staff members to benefit from international exposure and bring back cutting-edge knowledge and practices to improve patient care at home.
Below are the stories of two staff who have recently undertaken STF placements funded by Friends of Vellore UK.
Enabling Lung Transplantation
Dr Barney Isaac, a professor of Pulmonary Medicine at CMC Vellore visited the Royal Papworth Hospital (RPH) in Cambridge.
Lung transplantation was identified as an urgent need at CMC, but training was required to make it possible. Support from the STF fund and links with two of our Trustees enabled Dr Barney and his colleague Dr Vinay to spend three months at RPH, where they immersed themselves in advanced techniques and protocols for lung transplantation. They observed and participated in numerous transplant surgeries, gained insight into patient management pre- and post-surgery, and developed lasting professional connections with experts in the field.
“The experience at RPH has been immensely beneficial. We not only gained practical knowledge but also formed valuable contacts that will be pivotal as we start our lung transplant program at CMC”
Dr Barney is optimistic that CMC will soon receive the necessary licensure to perform lung transplants, aiming to start the program by the end of the year. Once licensed, CMC will be able to enrol patients on the national platform, ensuring access to organ allocation on regional, state, and national levels.
In preparation, the team is establishing a lung transplant clinic to screen and prepare patients. They are also forming a multidisciplinary team to evaluate cases before adding patients to the waiting list. Logistical aspects such as ICU protocols and physiotherapy are being refined, and a comprehensive lung transplant protocol is being developed. This new service will greatly benefit many patients in need.
Pioneering Preventative Oncology
Dr Anitha Thomas, a gynaecologist at CMC Vellore, embarked on a Senior Training Fellowship with a clear vision: to facilitate the establishment of a hereditary cancer clinic at CMC and to gain exposure to advanced open and robotic surgeries in gynaecology.
During her time in London, Dr Anitha worked closely with Professor Manchanda, a leading researcher in preventative oncology at Queen Mary University. She had the opportunity to observe state-of-the-art robotic surgeries at the Royal London Hospital.
One of the most impactful aspects of her fellowship was her experience at the Precision and Preventative Clinic, primarily run by nursing staff. Dr Anitha was impressed by the clinic’s efficient system, where patients referred by primary care physicians are diligently tracked, regularly contacted, and encouraged to participate in their ongoing care. This comprehensive approach deeply resonated with her initial objectives for the STF.
“It was a useful experience to understand the depth of the work, the details of the functioning of a preventative clinic and the role of the various personnel”
Dr Anitha’s fellowship also provided her with the opportunity to connect with other researchers and experts. She returned to CMC with a plan to establish a hereditary cancer and preventative oncology clinic, equipped with the insights and expertise gained during her fellowship. Her vision is now closer to reality, thanks to the experiences and connections she made during her time in London with the Senior Training Fellowship.
Please join us in supporting the Senior Training Fellowship initiative. Your contributions can make a significant impact! If 40 generous individuals pledge just £20 a month, together with gift aid, we could sponsor two STFs annually.
Friends of Vellore UK 