Sivaramakrishna Iyer Padmavati, fondly known as S I Padmavati, was a trailblazing cardiologist whose dedication to advancing medical science and serving the poor earned her a lasting place in India’s medical history. Born on 20 June 1917, in Rangoon, Burma (now Myanmar), into a Tamil Brahmin family, she rose above societal expectations to become India’s first female cardiologist. Her incredible career spanned over seven decades, during which she made groundbreaking contributions to cardiology and created pathways for countless others to follow in her footsteps. Padmavati’s life was of defiance, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to service.
Early Life And Education
Padmavati was born to a barrister father who had moved to Rangoon for work. Named after her father, Sivaramakrishna Iyer Padmavati grew up in a middle-class family at a time when Indian society placed traditional and limited expectations on women, especially in terms of education and career aspirations. However, her family supported her education, and Padmavati pursued her dreams with determination.
At a time when most women were confined to household duties, Padmavati earned her MBBS degree from Rangoon Medical College. The 1940s were tumultuous for her family as World War II had engulfed the world. When Japan invaded Burma in 1942, she and her family were forced to flee to Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, leaving behind everything they had known. Despite the displacement and hardships, Padmavati’s indomitable spirit saw her through these difficult times.
Journey to Excellence in Medicine
After the war, Padmavati’s quest for excellence in medicine led her to the United Kingdom. In 1949, she earned her prestigious FRCP (Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians) from the Royal College of Physicians in London. This was an extraordinary achievement for any Indian doctor, let alone a woman at the time. But she didn’t stop there. Padmavati sought further training under some of the greatest medical minds of the time.
She was selected to study at Johns Hopkins University in the United States, where she worked under the legendary cardiologist Dr. Helen Taussig. Her time at Johns Hopkins was a turning point, further sharpening her skills in cardiology. Soon after, she moved to Harvard University to study under Dr. Paul Dudley White, one of the founders of modern cardiology. By the time she completed her training in the United States, Padmavati was at the peak of her medical prowess, and many prestigious career opportunities awaited her. However, she made a decision that would define her life’s work: she chose to return to India to serve her fellow citizens.
Pioneering Cardiology In India
In 1953, Padmavati returned to India and joined Lady Hardinge Medical College in Delhi, where she opened the country’s first cardiology clinic. Her expertise quickly earned her a reputation as an outstanding physician, and she became a beacon of inspiration for many young doctors, especially women. It was in India that Padmavati truly left her mark, as she established the first cardiac catheterization lab and introduced modern cardiac care to the country.
By 1962, she had founded the All India Heart Foundation (AIHF), to provide quality cardiac care to the poor and underserved. Her vision for the foundation was to treat patients and focus on preventive cardiology, making heart health a national priority. This collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) helped train a generation of students in cardiology and set India on the path to becoming self-reliant in heart care.
In 1967, she joined Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) as a professor of cardiology. Her reputation had spread far and wide, and in the same year, she was awarded the Padma Bhushan, one of India’s highest civilian honours. During her tenure at MAMC, she also simultaneously became the chief administrator of three prestigious institutions—Maulana Azad Medical College, Lok Nayak Hospital, and G. B. Pant Hospital—overseeing their medical and academic programs with unparalleled dedication.
Padmavati’s contributions to medical education were equally impressive. She started India’s first Doctor of Medicine (DM) program in cardiology, ensuring that future generations of Indian doctors would have the knowledge and skills to excel in the field. Her commitment to teaching, mentoring, and building medical infrastructure was as strong as her commitment to patient care.
Establishing The National Heart Institute
After her retirement in 1978 as the director of Maulana Azad Medical College, Padmavati embarked on yet another ambitious project. In 1981, she founded the National Heart Institute (NHI) in Delhi, under the aegis of the All India Heart Foundation. The institute grew to become a premier center for cardiac care, combining patient treatment with research and outreach programs to prevent heart disease. Even in her later years, Padmavati worked tirelessly at the NHI, often putting in 12-hour workdays well into her 90s.
Honours And Legacy
Throughout her life, Padmavati was showered with accolades. In 1992, she received the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honor, in recognition of her monumental contributions to cardiology and medical education. She was also the first Indian woman to become a fellow of the European Society of Cardiology in 2007, a rare honor that she received at the age of 90, cementing her place as a pioneer on the global stage.
Despite her numerous accomplishments, Padmavati remained deeply committed to serving the poor. She and her sister Janaki, a neurologist, founded the Janaki-Padmavathi Trust, through which they donated their entire earnings to provide life-saving heart surgeries for underprivileged patients. This selflessness was characteristic of her entire career, during which she always prioritized the welfare of her patients over personal gain.
Padmavati continued to work until the age of 95, retiring only in 2015. Even after retirement, she remained a guiding light for the medical community, always advocating for better healthcare for all.
Passing And Enduring Influence
On 29 August 2020, Padmavati passed away at the age of 103 after contracting COVID-19. Her death marked the end of a glorious era in Indian cardiology, but her legacy continues to inspire countless doctors and healthcare professionals in India and around the world.
Sivaramakrishna Iyer Padmavati was more than a pioneering cardiologist; she was a beacon of hope and an example of selfless dedication. Her remarkable achievements in the face of adversity, her contributions to Indian healthcare, and her tireless service to the poor make her one of the most inspiring figures in Indian history. She shattered glass ceilings, set new standards in cardiac care, and dedicated her life to improving the health of her fellow Indians, leaving a legacy that will endure for generations.
(With inputs from Wiki & Sreenivasan’s Blog)
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