VOICES FALL 2020
New York, NY | vellorecmc.org
of VELLORE
"I think India will have a big role in making SARS-Cov-2 vaccines for the world." - DR. PRIYA ABRAHAM Click here to watch the full interview with Dr. Abraham.
At the Forefront of the Fight Against COVID-19: Dr. Priya Abraham (Batch '81)
who are comfortable with whole genome sequencing. We've been able to look at 700 odd SARS-CoV-2 strains and have also generated about
I
n November 2019, just two months
Dr. Priya Abraham: Successfully isolating
before the first coronavirus case was
the virus in early March gave us the
detected in India, Dr. Priya Abraham
leverage to make our first indigenous
was appointed as the Director of the
ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent
National Institute of Virology (NIV) in
assay), at a time when there were no
Pune, India. Since then, Dr. Abraham and
good serological assays.
her team have been actively engaged in
Another big benefit from our ability to
300 odd sequences to look at the profile of “clades” in our country. It was heartening to know that the real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay that we put together was able to identify all these different varied strains, which meant it was robust enough as a
various aspects of the SARS-CoV-2 virus,
isolate and grow the virus was that we
diagnostic tool.
including diagnostic and vaccine-related
successfully propagated 11 or 12 strains
efforts.
in the laboratory - this contributed to
H: And have you been able to develop new rapid tests?
In an interview with Dr. Honorine
the development of a vaccine. We are
Ward (Batch ’69), Dr. Abraham discusses
working closely with Bharat Biotech on
NIV’s leading efforts in diagnostics and
a vaccine candidate. Apart from giving
vaccine development in India and her
them our strain, we have conducted
leadership at a prominent governmental
virus challenge experiments as part of
institution as a CMC alumna.
pre-clinical trials, which are essential to
Dr. Honorine Ward: You and your team at NIV were instrumental in isolating and sequencing one or more strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. How has this enabled NIV to work on developing diagnostics and vaccines for COVID-19?
vaccine development. With regard to sequencing, the first two sequences from India came out of the first three cases that were detected in this institute. I am privileged to work with great scientists
P: Right now, we do not have a rapid test, but we have developed a real time PCR Kit, where we have put together the probe, (continued on page 3) Dr. Ida B. Scudder Assisted Living Center On September 16th, the doors to the Center for retired CMC faculty and staff officially opened! Read more on page 4.
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Friends of CMC and the Vellore CMC Foundation, As I write to you, our world has witnessed the death of its one millionth citizen (due to the coronavirus); racial tensions have risen to new heights, and the global economy is suffering from a
PLEASE JOIN US FOR OUR UPCOMING EVENTS OCT. 16: ECUMENICAL LEADERSHIP FORUM
significant slowdown due to the immediate and near-term impact of an ongoing pandemic and the long-term damage it has dealt to the prospects of future sustainable growth. All of this is to say that while we are paying close attention to the important issues of the day, we (at the Foundation) are also remaining laser-focused on our mission
We will explore solutions and new opportunities for Christian ministry in the areas of education, volunteerism and transformational medical ministry.
of providing financial and programmatic support to CMC. In these most challenging
OCT. 30: SETHUPATHY LECTURE ON CREATING HARMONY BETWEEN FAITH AND SCIENCE
medical missionary work and a deeper communion amongst the various U.S. and
BioLogos’ Praveen Sethupathy will discuss the organization's mission to “providing the muchneeded space for wrestling with the tough questions of life with civility, integrity, and rigor.”
Hospital Abroad (ASHA) program, which will create
If you have not received an invitation, please email Deepika Srivastava at deepika@vellorecmc.org.
protocols and patient safety practices, while demonstrating our and India’s shared
OTHER VIRTUAL UPCOMING EVENTS:
CMC’s finest researchers and the current Director of the National Institute of Virology,
• •
surge in India, introduce the Foundation’s newly launched website, and express
•
•
Oct. 30: FOV Roundtable Nov. 7: CMC College of Nursing Alumni Reunion Nov. 20: Vellore CMC Foundation Stakeholders Roundtable Dec. 8: Dr. Ida Scudder Oration
of times, the Foundation’s board and its staff members have been diligently leading our efforts to (1) support CMC’s response to the coronavirus, (2) work with the U.S. alumni to coordinate its GOTC event and other virtual opportunities for fellowship, and (3) to collaborate with faith-based communities to create opportunities for global denominations. The Foundation has once again been named a recipient of USAID’s American Schools and an opportunity for CMC to build and equip a new advanced simulation training center. Designated for use by nursing students and emergency teams in anesthesia, obstetrics, and pediatrics, this simulation lab will incorporate America’s best values of women’s empowerment, inclusivity, and critical thinking. In this edition of Voices of Vellore, we feature the work of Dr. Priya Abraham, one of in Pune, India. In addition, we showcase CMC’s response to the recent coronavirus our deep appreciation to Drs. C.J. and Sara Alexander for their extraordinary and meaningful contributions to CMC’s Department of Hematology. As in the past, it is my genuine hope that you find our new edition of Voices of Vellore both informative, enjoyable, and current! With much appreciation and my fondest regards,
VelloreCMCFoundation @VCMCFoundation
2 VOV | FALL 2020
John A. Riehl
(continued from page 1) the primers, and the right concentration of
P: One of the major challenges in early
country: hundreds of labs approach
enzymes. We have in fact standardized it
times was the timely procurement of
CMC laboratories for quality assurance.
such that instead of running the PCR in
reagents, particularly probes, good quality
If we look at India, I think the country
three-to-four tubes, where we are looking
primers, and RNA extraction kits. This was
will have a big role to play in making
at different genes of SARS-CoV-2, it’s been
because the Indian Council of Medical
SARS-CoV-2 vaccines for the world. The
standardized so that all the different genes
Research (ICMR) was looking to us to
Oxford Astra Zeneca vaccine team is
are amplified in one tube. Therefore, you
procure and ship out PCR kits and run a
working with Serum Institute of India. In
can run many more samples at one go, in a
quality control. Procurement of materials
fact, the Serum Institute of India has also
single plate. This assay has been validated
from overseas when flights were grinding
approached us for help. They are going
by WHO, and we received a 100%
to a halt was extremely challenging.
to be making an indigenous vaccine, and
performance rating. We have packaged it as ICMR-NIV’s kit.
Regarding lessons learned, I know it
we will be giving them our full support.
sounds cliché, but I think to function amidst
While no one has landed on the
these challenges, there's nothing like good
right antiviral agent yet, I do know that
team building. One must encourage one’s
when we do, India will run with it and
team and get even the more reticent team
will provide bulk manufacturing at an
members back onto the center stage!
affordable price. I’m confident India will do that for the rest of the world.
"I hope they see in me a leader who's trying to take the entire team along and I hope they see a little of what we have imbibed from CMC, and that is the culture of hard work, sincerity and integrity."
H: NIV played a key role in empowering diagnostic laboratories for SARSCOV-2, as well as for antibody testing across the country. Have these efforts played a significant role in supporting efforts to trace and isolate cases?
- Dr. Priya Abraham H: As a woman in India, how does your prominent visibility serve as a role model for young Indian women who want to become scientists?
very intense period of empowering some
H: CMC faculty, like yourself and Dr. Gagandeep Kang, have taken leadership positions in prominent governmental institutions in India. What does this imply for CMC’s prominence at the national level, and where do you see CMC and India's science in healthcare when benchmarked internationally?
of these laboratories scattered across the
P: Well, I would say for one that CMC
imbibed from CMC, and that is the culture
country. There were a flurry of questions
alumni have held and will continue
and clarifications they wanted from us, so
to
we ran a QC/QA program for them. That
institutions of national repute. I believe
was a very demanding time, but now these
that the government will reach out to
laboratories are doing a fantastic job. We
CMC whenever they think the necessary
started with training and hand-holding 13
expertise is required. I think yes, CMC
labs, and today several government labs
will influence policy at the national level.
are using this assay. We've shipped out
CMC’s clinical laboratories are all
around 5.7 million PCR reactions to the
nationally accredited. Clinical Virology,
length and breadth of the country.
Clinical
H: What are the major challenges you have faced and the lessons you have learned from this pandemic?
Biochemistry
P: In 2016, the Indian government set up a network of virus reference diagnostic laboratories, meant to be geared for outbreak response. This network was really handy to have around. When we found our first cases, it was a
hold
Medicine
positions
in
Microbiology and
the
laboratory
government
and
Clinical
Transfusion are
quality
assurance providers for the whole
P: I hope they see in me a leader who's trying to take the entire team along and I hope they see a little of what we have of hard work, sincerity and integrity. When we are in a prominent position like this, they need to see a bit of our work culture. We should be approachable and available to all, even for our younger scientists. So, I've been trying to do that. My job is not complete… I hope they're seeing a good reflection of somebody who's trying to balance work with family. I carve out time every evening, to catch up with my family in Vellore. At work, I am trying to be a good human being and also do some science! VOV | FALL 2020
3
CMC Opens One-of-a-Kind Dr. Ida Belle Scudder Assisted Living Center
O
n September 16, 2020, CMC
organized
a
ribbon-cutting
ceremony held at its newly
completed Assisted Living Center, at which the North American Alumni Association, the Scudder Family, and CMC’s many other supporters were recognized for their extreme generosity. The new facility, named in honor of Dr. Ida Belle Scudder, was constructed to provide care for CMC’s retired faculty and staff. The
event
commenced
with
an
opening prayer by CMC’s Head Chaplin, Rev. Arhul Dhas, which was followed by the official ribbon cutting by Dr. Premila Lee, Nursing Superintendent, signifying the commitment of CMC’s nursing staff to play a primary role in running the dayto-day operation of the Center. Dr. Honorine Ward (Batch '69) recalled the history of this endeavor, most of which took place during her tenure as Chair of the Board of Directors of Vellore CMC Foundation. Beginning in 2014, Dr. Albert Johnson (Batch ‘61), led a fundraising initiative amongst the CMC Alumni in the United States for the development of a medical care and convalescing facility for retired CMC faculty and staff. Dr. Johnson’s activities were done in tandem with the generous support of the Scudder Association
Foundation and Dr. Robert (Rob) Fish,
care facility, located on Filter Bed Road,
DDS. Dr. Fish, the nephew of Dr. Ida B.
was completed to pay tribute to CMC’s
Scudder, was humbled to contribute to
retired faculty and staff – bringing to
this project, requesting that the facility be
fruition an idea and an ideal proposed
named in memory of his Aunt Ida B.
years ago. The Dr. Ida B. Scudder Center,
Reflecting back, Dr. Fish noted ”I
covering two floors, will have eight
realized what has kept me passionate
rooms, as well as a common lounge,
about life and my career is a lesson that
nursing station, and kitchen. Thanks to
I learned at CMC — that you do the best
the generosity of donors the Foundation
job you can every day. I learned that at
raised $350,000 for this project that
CMC, and from my aunt Ida B”.
will not only fund the construction of
The new facility was constructed
the facility but will support the Nursing/
to fulfill the primary goal of providing
Housekeeping staffing and maintenance
transitional
for the next three years!
care
for
those
retired
CMC alumni in need of short- and
Although there have been many twists
intermediate-term medical treatment and
on the road to the opening of the Dr.
rehabilitation. Under the leadership and
Ida B. Scudder Assisted Living Center,
direction of CMC Director, Dr. J.V. Peter,
it has been achieved as a collaborative
along with the implementation support
effort of CMC’s Leadership, Staff, Alumni,
of a special task force, this new specialty
Supporters, and the Scudder Family.
"I realized what has kept me passionate about life and my career is a lesson I learned at CMC — that you do the best job you can every day. I learned that at CMC, and from my aunt Ida B." The dedication ceremony was broadcast to all supporters. A recording may be viewed on our website. 4 VOV | FALL 2020
- Dr. Rob Fish
2020 GOTC Reflections By Dr. Margaret Kumar, President of the North American Alumni Association (CON Batch '63)
T
he 2020 GOTC was originally
happily pursued the idea, and with
scheduled to take place in
the assistance of the Vellore CMC
Minneapolis, MN with Alex and
Foundation, who very graciously offered
Priya (Mariam) Alexander (Batch ‘88)
to coordinate the technical aspects of
and their team of CMC Graduates in
the event, it came to fruition. To our
the area as Hosts. This team, especially
delight, there were over 150 registrants
Dr. Kalyani Premkumar’s (Batch '76) special performance of “I’ll Never Find Another You” for eGOTC.
Alex, had spent many hours planning
from Canada, UK, India, and USA, all of
the details of the event, when it became
whom attended this “virtual” reunion. A
vesper and college song.
apparent that because of COVID,
token collection of $10.00 was taken to
the GOTC would need to be either
help cover expenses.
canceled or postponed. This was a
The program included a CMC update
major disappointment for many alumni
provided by CMC Director, Dr. J.V. Peter,
who have supported and attended the
as well as inspiring short presentations
reunion faithfully for years.
by alumni, followed by entertainment
Thankfully, Dr. Ponna Thurairatnam
and traditional baila dancing. It was a lot
(Batch ‘73) suggested the brilliant idea
of fun as the camera panned over the
that the 2020 GOTC should be hosted
entire group of attendees with people
as a virtual reunion instead. Since
dancing on the floor – true GOTC style.
many of us were already using Zoom
A solemn yet powerful service ended
for meetings and online teaching, we
the evening with the emotion-filled
We would like to acknowledge the following people who worked hard to make this very first Virtual GOTC a successful event: Ponna Thurairatnam, Samson Jesudass (Batch ‘86) Anita Sharan (CON Batch), Sudi Devanesen (Batch '62), AK Dayal (Batch '71), Kirti Shetty (Batch ‘83), Albert Johnson (Batch ‘61), and Christie Thomas (Batch ‘75). In addition, many thanks go out to John Riehl, Trish Carroll, and particularly Mabel Haro from the Foundation for their excellent support.
How Social Distancing Has Brought Us Closer Together
Zoom connections bring us closer together
In every part of the world, the desire to protect our own wellbeing and that of our families has created a newfound imperative for social distancing. Although challenging, the spread of the coronavirus has also helped each of us rediscover how much we need and depend upon each other. We have all become more keenly aware of our need for essential workers (from medical professionals to mail delivery persons), but what has also become abundantly clear is our need to create opportunities for social interaction using video conferencing and similar communications technologies to do so.
While video conferencing does not possess all the advantages of being in the same room with the members of our CMC community, the Foundation’s recent use of Zoom has proved to be more effective than any other solution available. It has allowed us to facilitate conversations, lectures, prayer gatherings, and concerts, as well as the engagement of our Board and Foundation members, who have from a distance shared their individual skills and inspiration to assist us in reaching our 2020 goals and objectives. Worth highlighting are the blended voices of the a cappella group, Backtrack Vocals, who sang their way into our hearts back in April during a virtual concert offered to the CMC global community. To have a listen to one of their featured songs, simply click here. There is no substitution for one-on-one interaction, but in our ability to utilize Zoom more fully, we have learned how to provide an easy-to-use, comfortable platform for sharing and fellowship at a time when we all may need it the most.
VOV | FALL 2020
5
CMC Director Update on the Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
has been funded by the Azim Premji
By Dr. J.V. Peter
across India.
C
MC was one of the first
1,200 patients have been admitted
private institutions in India to
in this campus. Work is going on to
be approved as a COVID-19
operationalize ICU beds so that COVID
testing and treating center. In March,
work can be moved to Kannigapuram
the
temporarily to free up capacity in the
State
authorities
and
Local
Government
approached
CMC with
the request to provide as many beds
town campus when transport resumes and our patients return.
as possible for COVID treatment.
Education and Training: Right from
Dedicated COVID ICUs and isolation
the start of the pandemic, CMC was
wards were prepared, and infrastructure
committed to developing educational
changes were implemented to enable
material on COVID for use within the
our hospitals and campuses to cater to
institution and for dissemination to
suspected COVID patients.
various partners in the government and
Shifting Priorities: Following the request from the Ranipet District, a section of the inpatient block in Kannigapuram that is under construction was readied quickly to admit COVID-19 patients.
After
obtaining
official
permission, three wards with a total of 168 beds were commissioned for the care of Level 1 patients. So far, over
6 VOV | FALL 2020
Foundation and targets the training of over 10,000 grass root level workers Workplace Safety: It is essential that we provide our staff and patients with good protection – especially N95 masks, face shields and full body biosuits. This is needed not only in the COVID wards, but also in many other areas of the hospital, since we can’t tell who may be infected. The hospital spends approximately $400,000 every month on protective equipment. For the full update from Dr. J.V. Peter, please click here.
in the mission setup. CMC, through the Distance Education Department, created two online training modules. One is for doctors and nurses, and was supported by a grant from TATA Trust, wherein around 5,000 doctors and nurses from across the country are being trained in COVID. The second program, COVID Surakshya, again developed by the Distance Education Department,
Choose Vellore CMC Foundation as your charity on smile.amazon.com and Amazon will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to the Foundation.
GENEROSITY IN TIMES OF COVID CMC Alumni Come Together for their Alma Mater
I
n response to an appeal by CMC
are reaching out to you, our alumni, to
Director, J.V. Peter, alumni batches are
consider contributing to this important
presently and quickly organizing to
venture. We have all benefitted greatly
help mitigate financial hardships brought
from our alma mater in terms of
on by the coronavirus pandemic. While
excellent training at a highly subsidized
CMC has become an exemplar of
cost. This is a wonderful opportunity to
DESIGNATION
AMOUNT
COVID19 preparedness and response,
give back.”
OPD room
$14,000
Private room
$20,000
General ward pod with seven beds
$34,000
they have also been faced with multiple
So far, batches from the years 1957
challenges due to reduced income and
to 2006 have raised over $90,000
higher than normal cash outflows.
from around the world!
Whether
CMC is offering naming opportunities at the new Kannigapuram campus.
One of the challenges faced by CMC
contributions are used to help subsidize
is the completion of the Level One
patient care, support CMC’s COVID
Operation theatre
$68,000
Trauma Care and Specialty Medicine
response, or for the new Kannigapuram
Center
Kannigapuram.
campus, every donation will ensure that
General ward
$136,000
Construction has come to a halt and
CMC can continue to provide the best
One complete floor in a block
$273,000
sections of the completed facility have
quality care for everyone who comes
been redeployed for COVID care. In
through their doors, independent of
his appeal, Dr. Peter shared his view
their ability to pay.
located
at
that “as we tackle these challenges, we
For further information or inquiries, please contact Mabel Haro at mabel.haro@vellorecmc.org.
Personal Passion Drives Gift to the Hematology Department "The value of Molecular and Genomic studies is limitless in the current practice of Medical Oncology and Hematology. I am proud of CMC for starting a division specializing in this field and the remarkable research projects that are ongoing. I am blessed to support them in this endeavor and to express my gratitude to my alma mater."
- Dr. Sarah Alexander (Batch '60)
A
mid uncertainty and chaos, Dr. Sarah Alexander (Batch ’60), and her husband, C.J. Alexander, a Ph.D chemist, made a generous gift to the Hematology Department at CMC for DNA and RNA extraction equipment that will result in high quality and quantity of nucleic acid for all the molecular biology testing with shorter turnaround time. This significant
investment into state-of-the-art equipment will improve the department services as well as their ongoing work. VOV | FALL 2020
7
475 Riverside Drive, Suite 725 New York, NY 10115
Have You Visited Our New Website? After many months of hard work, our redeveloped website is now live! You can find us here: www.vellorecmc.org. Our goal with the new website was to better highlight the impact of our partnerships with dedicated supporters like you, while providing readers an easy way to learn more about CMC’s work and accomplishments. Among the new features is a dynamic Newsroom that will bring improved communications with our audience. It will be updated regularly with articles, newsletters, event announcements and more! We hope you find the new website fresh, modern, and informative. We worked hard to make sure it contains valuable information for our current and prospective friends and supporters. Please share with us any comments or feedback you may have at foundation@vellorecmc.org.
The Vellore Christian Medical College Foundation 475 Riverside Dr., Suite 725 New York, NY 10115
P.O. Box 22423 New York, NY 10087-2423 *This address is for donations only.
www.vellorecmc.org foundation@vellorecmc.org