Born in 1934, Dr. Mathangi Ramakrishnan completed her MBBS from the Madras Medical College (MMC), Chennai, before pursuing advanced training in plastic and reconstructive surgery in the United Kingdom and the United States (Maryland). Upon returning to India, she founded the Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns Unit at Government Kilpauk Medical College (KMC) — a landmark institution that became Tamil Nadu’s nodal government burns unit and one of India’s leading centres for comprehensive burn care and rehabilitation.
Prof. Mathangi retired as Professor and Head of the Department of Burns, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery at KMC. She later served as Emeritus Professor of Plastic Surgery at the Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University and as Emeritus Scientist at the Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), Chennai. Her collaborative research with CLRI led to the development of a collagen membrane used as a burn wound cover — a pathbreaking innovation that became widely adopted across India.
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A meticulous surgeon, dedicated teacher, and compassionate caregiver, Prof. Mathangi authored several books, published numerous research papers, and delivered lectures both in India and abroad. She mentored generations of plastic and reconstructive surgeons, instilling in them her values of scientific excellence, ethics, and empathy.
Her career was defined by a unique blend of surgical innovation and compassion for patients, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds.
Over her illustrious career, Dr. Mathangi received numerous national and international honours, including the Padma Shri in 2002 for her pioneering work in burn treatment and reconstructive surgery, the Dr. B.C. Roy National Award for outstanding service in clinical medicine, and the Avvaiyar Award from the Government of Tamil Nadu in 2014 for her contributions to pediatric burn care. She was also the recipient of the G. Whitaker International Burns Prize (Palermo, Italy, 2009), the Sushruta Gold Medal from the Association of Surgeons of India, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Burns India, among others.
She also held several key positions in professional bodies worldwide, including Honorary Secretary of the Burns Association of India (Madras), Member of the International Confederation of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons, Member of the International Society for Burn Injuries, Fellow of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (India), National Representative of the Asian Pacific Section of the International Confederation of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and Regional Representative (South East Asia) for the International Society for Burn Injuries.
Dr Mathangi was also closely associated with the CHILDS Trust Hospital in Chennai, founded by her husband, the late Dr. M.S. Ramakrishnan. After his demise, she continued to guide the institution and served as Chairperson of the CHILDS Trust Medical Research Foundation.
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Prof. Mathangi is survived by her daughter Priya Ramachandran, son-in-law B. Ramachandra, and grandsons Hari Ramachandran and Keshav Ramachandran. Her eyes have been donated to Sankara Nethralaya, reports the Hindu.
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