VOICES Spring 2025
New York, NY | vellorecmc.org
of VELLORE
Honoring 125 Years of Service with a Renewed Commitment to Community Outreach
O
ne hundred twenty-five years ago, our founder Dr. Ida Scudder opened her first one-bed clinic in Vellore. Even as CMC was growing into the renowned medical institution it is today, she remained committed to reaching those who could not travel to the hospital on their own. From roadside clinics to rural health camps, Dr. Ida brought care directly to those people who needed it most. That spirit of service continues to define CMC’s work today. To commemorate this milestone year, the Vellore CMC Foundation is launching a series of campaigns that strengthen and expand community outreach—honoring Dr. Scudder’s legacy while helping address some of the most urgent needs in underserved populations.
Expanding Cervical Cancer Screening The Foundation’s latest campaign aims to reduce the burden of cervical cancer through a series of community-based screening programs. This project, spearheaded by CMC’s Rural Unit for Health and Social Affairs (RUHSA), in collaboration with the College of Nursing Community Health (CONCH) program, is focused on reducing cervical cancer mortality through early detection and timely treatment of rural women who often lack access to preventive care. CMC's research shows cervical cancer remains one of the most preventable yet deadly diseases affecting women in India. According to the World Cancer Research Fund, India accounts for 19% of
global cervical cancer cases and 23% of related deaths. Nearly 99% of cases are linked to highrisk HPV infections, yet widespread screening and early detection remain elusive for women in rural and marginalized communities. Barriers such as limited awareness, stigma, and the absence of a free HPV vaccine in the national immunization program contribute to this ongoing crisis. This new initiative will directly address these barriers through a comprehensive, community-driven approach to screening and education. Together, RUHSA and CONCH are leading a new program in the K.V. Kuppam Block, targeting 15,500 women aged 30–60 over the next five years. Continued on Page 4.
Honoring a Global Health Champion: Dr. Soumya Swaminathan Delivers the 13th Annual Ida S. Scudder Humanitarian Oration Read more on Page 3.