Man with a mission

| S VENKATESHWARAN |

One would think being a busy vascular surgeon and managing a multi-speciality hospital would leave no time for a doctor to do anything else. You would think that only till you meet Dr. Sathyanarayanan, a renowned vascular surgeon and Managing Director of Chakra Multi-Speciality Hospitals in Nanganallur.

Dr. Sathyanarayanan is kept busy through the day with his professional commitments and with running the multi-speciality hospital.

But that does not stop him from dabbling in politics and dreaming of starting a medical institution in Nanganallur to focus on teaching and nurturing future doctors.

Looking back, Dr. Sathyanarayanan equipped himself well for his medical profession.

After completing his MBBS in 1989 at Thanjavur Medical College, Dr. Sathyanarayanan pursued further training at Madras Medical College, earning his MS and MCh degrees.

His career began at Hindu Mission Hospital, where he served as a dedicated doctor until 2001. In the same year, he took a bold step establishing Chakra Multi-Speciality Hospital in Nanganallur, a facility that has been handling multi-specialities from the beginning.

When asked why he chose to specialise as a vascular surgeon, Dr. Sathyanarayanan responded with a smile, saying, “During my time, vascular surgery was emerging as a field with great potential. That inspired me to pursue it.”

Discussing the evolving medical field, he remarked, “Medicine has now transformed into an industry. While technology is crucial, human relationship between doctors and patients is the most important aspect. Beyond technical expertise, personal touch is essential in healthcare.”

Dr. Sathyanarayanan is married to Dr. Hema Vijayalakshmi, a gastroenterologist. Their daughter is also following in their footsteps, pursuing a career in medicine.

Reflecting on Nanganallur, he shared how the area has transformed over the past 30 years. “What was once a Chennai suburb is now a thriving community of upper middle-class families. The arrival of corporate hospitals shows the growth here, but it has also driven up treatment costs. Despite this, Chakra Hospitals and Hindu Mission Hospital prioritise service and keep treatments affordable for everyone,” he said with justifiable pride.

Addressing the shift from general physicians to specialists, Dr. Sathyanarayanan offered an insightful perspective. “It is a cycle. Earlier, general physicians were abundant; now, specialists dominate. Over time, people may realise the value of personal relationships with family doctors, and the issue will come full circle.”

Dr. Sathyanarayanan dreams of establishing a medical institution in Nanganallur to focus on teaching and nurturing future doctors. A two-time candidate in Assembly elections, his aspirations extend beyond medicine to community service and education. “Serving people as a doctor is my passion, but starting an institution and teaching is a dream I want to realise,” he said.

Dr. Sathyanarayanan’s journey is a testament to his dedication to his profession and the community. In a rapidly changing world, he stands as a beacon of service, compassion and hope for the future of healthcare in Nanganallur and beyond.