EBHC Symposium 2008

Vellore is a small town which is on the threshold of calling itself a city, about a hundred and forty kms west of chennai, on the south eastern coast of India. Steeped in history that dates back to 15th century, vellore is a melting pot of ancient tamil culture, medieval muslim dynastic legacy, seemingly garnished by the influences of a century of Anglo- Christian governance. Since independence, vellore has continued to grow and expand into a commercial town teeming with people and activity. The temple destinations of kanchipuram , Thiruvannamalai, Thirumalaikodi and Thirupathi in its vicinity brings its share of people as pilgrims in transit, or as tourists who want to relive the historic past that pervades this fort city.

Standing tall in this environment is the Christian medical college, a 107 year old institution of eminence that has a captivating history and legacy of its own. Cmc is yet another reason why vellore assumes significance on the map of India. Of being the host city for one of most renowned medical institutions of south east Asia- The Christian Medical College. Vellore Can be accessed by rail through its alighting station Katpadi, by air through chennai or Bangalore and by road from both these cities.

Welcome to this fort city where you can enjoy a blend of rich Dravidian culture- history, heritage, religion, architecture alongside three days of academic interaction.

The Christian medical college and hospital is a 107 year old institution that occupies a prominent place among medical institutions in India and south east asia. Founded by Dr.Ida S.Scudder, an American lady and daughter of medical missionaries in India who, as a young seventeen year old girl on vacation in India was challenged by an extraordinary experience of therr unrelated women dying in childbirth, as the custom would not permit any male doctor to attend on them. Taking this as divine calling, she responded by training to be a doctor and devoting her life to the needs of women and children in India. Armed with a degree in medicine from cornell University she returned to set up a one bed dispensary in 1900 which increased to 40 beds by 1902.Along with colleagues and fellow missionaries, she went on to establish the school of nursing in 1909 and medical school for women in 1918, Which became Co-educational by 1947.From these humble beginnings,

the Christian medical college, vellore, is today a 2200 bedded, referral, multispecialty teaching hospital committed to the pursuit of professional excellence in patient care, teaching and research.

CMC’s uniqueness lies in its equal commitment to the care of the poor and the marginalized as well as the establishment of state of the art, hi-tech medical care. Pioneering basic and applied research keeps the institution on the forefront of modern medicine in India. Form primary and preventive health to high-tech specialities, and spread over two campuses, cmc attempts to bring about holistic care under one umbrella. With its alumni spread over the entire globe, cmc is not just a medical fraternity but a community of professionals who live out the motto of the institution.

“NOT TO BE MINISTERED UNTO BUT TO MINISTER”

CMC invites you to be a part of this great experience.