Heart in the right place

| S VENKATESHWARAN |

Dr. J.S.N. Murthy thinks it is the responsibility of not just the government “but it is a shared responsibility of individuals, private trusts, public participation and philanthropists, who all have an appreciable role in supporting underprivileged patients”. Walking the talk, in 2007, he also became one of the founder-trustees of the Sri Sankara Heart Foundation, which helps many poor patients access life-saving heart surgeries.

Dr. Murthy, a proud Nanganallurean, is Professor of Eminence and Senior Consultant in Clinical and Interventional Cardiology at Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education & Research.

A towering figure in the field of cardiology, Dr. Murthy has had a distinguished career that began in 1981 when he was selected by the Union Public Service Commission for the Indian Railway Medical Service (IRMS).

He served in Southern Railway Hospital in Perambur from 1981 to 1994, where he rose to become Head of the Cardiology Department and played a crucial role in training many of today’s cardiologists.

In 1994, he joined Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, where he founded the Department of Cardiology and served as Vice-Chancellor from 2012 to 2017. Since February 2023, he has also been serving as Professor of Practice at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras.

Dr. Murthy’s academic journey is equally remarkable, holding an M.B.B.S (2006) and M.D (2009) in General Medicine from Sri Ramachandra University, and a D.N.B in Cardiology (2013) from the National Board of Examination, New Delhi.

His clinical experience spans over four decades, including advanced paediatric cardiology training in 1989 at the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street, London, under the British Council Fellowship.

Dr. Murthy has been recognised with several prestigious awards and fellowships, including the Fellowship of the Cardiological Society of India (2005), Asia Pacific Society of Interventional Cardiology (APSIC), and Fellow of the Royal Colleges of Physicians in Glasgow (2010), Edinburgh (2013), and London (2013).

He has received the ‘Vocational Excellence Award’ from Rotary Club of Madras Northwest, ‘Paul Harris Award’ from Rotary International, the ‘Dr. Sanjeevi Award’ in 2010, the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ from Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University in 2011, and the ‘National Board Examination Alumnus Award’ in 2012.

A resident of Nanganallur, Dr. Murthy described the locality as a “very silent and divine place”, ideal for peaceful living.

Speaking about the changing health scenario, he observed, “Prevention is better than cure. These days, many people in their 30s and 40s burn out. They are constantly chasing targets, working round-the-clock, and dealing with job insecurities, which leads to stress, depression and early health issues.”

He stressed the importance of not leaving health care only to the government. “Everyone must voluntarily lend a healthy hand. Health is not just a government duty it is a shared responsibility of individuals, private trusts, public participation and philanthropists, who all have an appreciable role in supporting underprivileged patients,” he said.

When asked for tips for senior citizens, he laughed and said, “Compared to the younger generation, senior citizens are more disciplined when it comes to their health.”

Dr. Murthy began his house surgency at Southern Railway Hospital in 1977 under legendary cardiologist, Dr. Cherian, and served there until 1994, eventually becoming Head of Cardiology. He then established a hospital in Guindy, which he continues to run successfully. In 2007, he also became one of the founder-trustees of the Sri Sankara Heart Foundation, which helps many poor patients access life-saving heart surgeries. His family continues his legacy in the medical field: his son is a doctor, and his daughter-in-law, also a doctor, serves at Hariharan Diabetes & Heart Care Hospitals, she is a daughter of Dr. Hariharan, who is the Chairman and Chief Physician.

Dr. J.S.N. Murthy stands as an inspiration to many, where his contributions and insights continue to uplift the community. Nanganallur is truly proud of him.