CME INDIA Presentation by ⚜ Dr. M. Gowri Sankar, MD, Senior Assistant Professor, Dept. of General Medicine, Government Medical College and ESI Hospital, Coimbatore.
Today’s History Feature:
Dr. S. S. Badrinath
🇮🇳 The Pride of India 🇮🇳
(Born – February 24, 1940)
💠Indian Ophthalmologist
💠Founder & Chairman Emeritus of Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai
His contributions…
🔸Badrinath was born in Chennai. He was brought up in the middle class family rooted with Indian culture and tradition. Sadly, he lost his parents during his teen age. He completed his schooling and then moved to study medicine by the insurance money of his demised father.
🔸While studying medicine at Madras Medical College, he interested in ophthalmology and secured highest mark in that subject. He completed his medical graduation in 1962.
🔸Then he emigrated to United States and did his internship at the Glasslands Hospital, New York. Subsequently, he did post graduation in ophthalmology and completed his residentship at the Brooklyn Eye and Ear Infirmary, New York.
🔸He further did his fellowship in vitreoretinal under the guidance of Dr. Charles Schepens, who was the “Father of Modern Retinal Surgery” in the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston.
🔸Later, he completed his Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, Canada in 1969 and the American Board Examination in Ophthalmology in 1970.
🔸Upon his return to India, he worked as a consultant ophthalmologist at various hospitals in Chennai.
🔸In 1978, with the blessings of his spiritual Guru Jagadguru Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, Dr. Badrinath and a group of philanthropists initiated a Medical & Vision Research Foundation in Chennai.
🔸 Sankara Nethralaya is an Ophthalmic unit of this foundation, which is a charitable non-profit ophthalmic research institute, where Dr. Badrinath is serving as Founder and Chairman Emeritus.
🔸Throughout his career, Dr. Badrinath was well supported by his wife Dr. Vasanthi Badrinath, a Paediatrician. His team worked relentlessly to combat blindness with quality care at affordable cost and in training post graduate ophthalmologists and paramedical personnel for the mission.
🔸At the research institute, Dr. Badrinath and his team have conducted real research for the benefit of mankind and published hundreds of scientific papers in Peer-reviewed journals.
🔸Moreover, by the guidance of Dr.Badrinath, Sankara Nethralaya has been established in many cities across India and is celebrating its 44th year of yeoman service to the society.
🔸His meritorious service was honoured by more than 100s of awards including the prestigious:
🔅Padma Shri Award by Government of India in 1983
🔅Dr B. C. Roy National Award in 1991
🔅Padma Bhushan in 1999
🔸Dr. Badrinath, a phenomenal architect of Sankara Nethralaya, and his wife Dr. Vasanthi Badrinath are the beacon of enlightment who have created a world class eye care and research institution driven by an undying passion for service to humanity.
A Visionary Ophthalmologist & Humanitarian
The Crusader of Blindness
Celebrating his birthday today 💐
Dr. S. S. Badrinath🙏🏼
Discover CME INDIA

- Explore CME INDIA Repository
- Examine CME INDIA Case Study
- Read History Today in Medicine
- Register for Future CMEs
Heartiest congratulations and good wishes Dr Badrinath on his Birthday and his dedicated contribution to humanity 🙏🏽🙏🏽💐💐
I am in awe , and high regard of Shri. Dr Badrinath Sir, to learn about his illustrious Career in the field of Ophthalmology, rising steadfastly, albeit through a humble background, but working steadily but relentlessly against odds, financial and otherwise
, upwards to achieve his goals in Ophthalmology, and also secure the same for a social cause through Sankara Nethralaya in Chennai. We take inspiration from his perseverance and determination, which should serve as a role model , and a source of Inspiration, for the upcoming Medical Fraternity and as a Icon, for Posterity.