VOICES SPRING 2023
New York, NY | vellorecmc.org
of VELLORE
"The USAID-ASHA grants are a catalyst for bringing positive change to CMC's healthcare delivery services." - Dr. Vikram Mathews, CMC Director
CMC Advances Doctor & Nurse Training in Maternal and Neonatal Care with the Opening of State-of-the-Art Simulation Labs Funded by USAID/ASHA
A
Sim Lab set up with grant funds from the U.S. Agency for International
(USAID)
and
the
Development Vellore
CMC
Foundation aims to reduce maternal, newborn
and
child
mortality
and
morbidity in India.
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The opening of this new training center was supported by a $1 million grant awarded through USAID’s American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) program. The ASHA program was established to help build bridges of
On January 21, 2023, CMC and the
understanding and friendship between
Vellore CMC Foundation paid tribute
the people of the United States and India.
to the U.S. Agency for International
At an inauguration ceremony, which was
Development (USAID) for its financial
attended by ASHA’s India Health Office
contribution toward the opening of a
Director, Sangita Patel, Dr. Margaret
new Advanced Simulation Laboratory
Kumar, the Vellore CMC Foundation’s
Center
Medical
Chairperson, and CMC Director, Dr.
College (CMC) in Vellore. This new
Vikram Mathews, all parties celebrated
lab will serve as a training facility for
the opening of two new simulation labs,
CMC doctors, nurses, and emergency
one at CMC’s main hospital and another
medicine personnel, offering courses in
at the CMC College of Nursing. The
maternal and neonatal care that will use
tribute to USAID/ASHA was held in the
the latest technologies that simulate
newly renovated Dr. Paul Brand Building,
mother and infant emergencies, basic
located on CMC’s main campus in the
and advanced nursing procedures, and
downtown area of Vellore.
at
the
Christian
USAID/India Health Office Director, Sangita Patel stated, “USAID aims to build upon existing evidence and best practices, as well as to catalyze new ideas, partnerships, and approaches. With this catalytic grant that has facilitated the setting up of the Advanced Simulation Lab Center and advanced labor and delivery room tools at the Christian Medical College, Vellore, USAID aims to accelerate reductions in maternal, newborn, and child mortality and morbidity by increasing the commitment and capacity of locally led institutions and providers to offer high-quality, integrated health care in the state of Tamil Nadu.” Building a Lasting Legacy of Servant Leadership The Vellore CMC Foundation Celebrates its 75th Anniversary Read more on page 4.