Chairman and founder of Sankara Nethralaya and India's preeminent ophthalmologist, Dr. SS Badrinath, died at his Chennai residence on November 21, 2023. He was 83.
Condoling the death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, "Deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. SS Badrinath Ji, a visionary, expert in ophthalmology and founder of Sankara Nethralaya. His contributions to eye care and his relentless service to society have left an indelible mark. His work will continue to inspire generations. Condolences to his family and loved ones."
Born in Chennai, Dr. Badrinath experienced the tragic loss of his parents when he was a teenager. Following his 1963 graduation from Madras Medical College, he completed an internship at the Glasslands Hospitals in New York.
Subsequently, he attended the New York University Medical School to study fundamental sciences in ophthalmology and the Brooklyn Eye and Ear Infirmary in New York to complete his residency in ophthalmology. He even earned a fellowship with Charles Schepens at the Retina Service of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston, Massachusetts.
In 1969 and 1970, respectively, he was inducted as a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada and a diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology. In 1970, he returned to India.
Following his tenure as a consultant and the establishment of a private practice specializing in vitreoretinal surgery and ophthalmology at H.M. Hospital (1970–1972) and Vijaya Hospital, Chennai (1973–1988), Dr. Badrinath established Sankara Nethralaya, an eye hospital operating under the auspices of the Medical Research Foundation, in 1978.
The hospital has grown into a super specialty institution for ophthalmic care and receives patients from all over the country and abroad.For his philanthropic contributions, Dr. Badrinath has been honored with the Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. In addition, he has received the Dr. B. C. Roy National Award, the Paul Harris Fellow Award, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Madras City Ophthalmological Association.
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