Media Release
Bengaluru, Apr 16: The 57th annual convocation and college day of St John’s Medical College, Bengaluru was held at 3 pm on April 16.
Dr Tessy Thomas, former director general of Aeronautical Systems, DRDO, famously called ‘The Missile Woman of India’, and currently vice-chancellor of NICHE University, Kanyakumari, was the chief guest.
Dr Victor Thakur, Archbishop of Raipur, and the chairman, governing board, CBCI presided over the function. A total of 283 health professionals were awarded their degrees. This included 148 MBBS students, 109 postgraduates, 24 super specialty postgraduates and 2 PhD scholars.
Established in 1963, St. John’s Medical College has produced around 3,000 undergraduates and 1,200 postgraduates till date. The institution was set up with a mission to train health care personnel to serve in rural and underserved areas of our country.
Since inception, nearly 70% of all its graduates and several postgraduates have provided medical services in rural and underserved areas of the country. The institution has been consistently ranked among the top medical colleges in the country by various surveys. It was placed 19th in the NIRF rankings of medical colleges overall in India for 2023 and is also 5th among the private medical colleges of the country, this whilst still being the 6th least expensive private medical college in the country.
The college is supported by a state-of-the-art 1600 bedded hospital and over 100 critical care beds, which is NABL & NABH accredited, with an average of 2500 daily outpatients and 150 daily inpatient admissions, and over 600 doctors serving in the institution. It is rated as one of the best in the city and in the state, with patients seeking medical help from as far as West Bengal, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and international patients from neighboring countries Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh among others.
Every year, international students mainly from Europe, USA, Middle East & Africa come to St John’s as observers for elective postings or to work in the Institute’s research labs. Last year, nearly 550 students did electives or trained in the college and hospital.
The institute is one of the 12 NMC nodal centres across India to train faculty in basic and advanced medical education from various medical colleges across South India.
Currently, the college takes in 150 undergraduate students, and 175 postgraduate and postdoctoral students every year across 43 specialties and super specialties.
An average of nearly 95% of students in all years of MBBS have passed the University exams this year, with several securing first class, distinction, and university ranks.
From the graduating batch of MBBS students, Samudyata Satish got the 10th rank in Anatomy, 9th rank in Pathology, 4th rank in Pharmacology and 10th Rank in Paediatrics, Aaron Antonio got the 9th rank in Biochemistry, 7th rank in Pathology and 6th rank in Pediatrics, Sonia Janette got the 3rd rank in Microbiology and 3rd rank in Pharmacology, Alphonse Mary Mathew got the 1st rank in Pediatrics and Sneha Ravindran got the 9th rank in Paediatrics.
The postgraduate pass rate was 100%, with 16 students getting among the top 5 university ranks in Karnataka state. Three of them got the university Gold medal for obtaining the first rank - Dr. Jeganish in Community Medicine, Dr. Shawn Serrao in Psychiatry and Dr. Arkaja Tripathy in Radiation Oncology.
The super speciality pass percentage was 96%, with 10 of the 24 students securing among the top 5 university ranks in Karnataka state. Four of them got the University 1st rank in Karnataka state - Dr. Priyanka J in Critical Care, Dr. Anjali S Raj in Neonatology, Dr Dyan D’Souza in Paediatric Surgery and Dr Devamish G N in Gastroenterology.
Fr Jesudoss Rajamanickam, director of St John’s National Academy of Health Sciences welcomed the dignitaries and the gathering. He congratulated the graduates and postgraduates on this significant achievement.
He stressed that they should spend their lifetime serving with integrity, excellence, and empathy. He reminded them to always keep in mind the oath that they took when they joined the institution to serve the underprivileged and the poorest of poor in rural areas.
There may be external pressures and influences that may come as a deterrent to this promise, but the graduates were encouraged by him to overcome these keeping in mind the values imparted at their alma mater.
The dean of St John’s Medical College, Dr George D’Souza highlighted the various accomplishments of the students, faculty, and staff of the institution and the various advanced teaching and research initiatives that have been implemented at the institution.
He also acknowledged the alumni who have continued to support the institution in creating new scholarships, helping in infrastructure development and in fostering links with leading institutions across the world. He further encouraged the medical students and postgraduate residents to engage in research and avail the various facilities and workshops conducted in the college.
He also emphasised to the graduates and postgraduates to use their learning at St Johns to make the right choices in life and excel in it without compromising on honesty and ethical principles.
The graduates, postgraduates and super-specialty graduates and faculty were presented their certificates and various awards won for various curricular and extra-curricular activities.
The chief guest Dr. Tessy Thomas, in her address to the graduates and awardees saluted the services of those from St John’s who have rendered their selfless service to rural and vulnerable populations.
She parallelled the development of medical services to the development of defense systems both of which are essential in protecting humankind. Using newer technology such as telemedicine, e technology and artificial intelligence, she urged the graduates and the postgraduates to consistently contribute through their medical profession to the welfare of the common man and thus touch the lives of millions in our country.
She concluded with a desire that the graduates would make their parents, teachers, and country proud by their selfless and dedicated services.
Dr. Victor Thakur, in his presidential address emphasized the need for the graduates to not only earn money but more importantly people and their blessings. He said that there is only one life to live, there is only one life to love, therefore never give up and be the best of whatever you are.
He reminded the students to give back to their families and dear ones the love, affection and trust that has been invested by them to ensure that this important milestone in their career has been achieved. He too reiterated the importance of rural service and thus contributing to a healthier and happier nation and world.
The programme ended with a vote of thanks.