EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

MBBS - Stanley Medical College -1974 - 1979 - Madras University

M.D.(Micro) - Madras Medical College - 1985- Madras University

Ph.D.,(Basic Science) - on Allergic Broncho Pulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA) - 2007 The Tamilnadu Dr.M.G.R. Medical University

Daughter of Freedom fighter

Grand Daughter of Freedom fighter Thiyagi Chidambaram Dhandapani, Thamarapattah awardee Contemporary of V.O.C., E.V.R., Periyar.

CITATION

Prof.Dr.S.Geethalakshmi,M.D.,Ph.D., is the Vice-Chancellor of the Tamil Nadu Dr.MGR Medical University, the second largest University of Health Sciences in India. She is the ninth and second woman Vice-Chancellor of the University of 25 years in existence.

After Post-Graduation, she pursued Ph.D. on Allergic Broncho Pulmonary Aspergillosis, from the alma mater, which she presides.

Dr.Geethalakshmi started from Assistant Professor and reached Professor & Director, Institute of Microbiology, MMC, spanning over 35 years. She accomplished multifaceted equilibrium of academic excellence in teaching and established her prudence in the post she occupied as Vice-Principal and Dean in-charge of MMC, and Dean of Thiruvannamalai Medical College, Kilpauk Medical College (KMC) and Stanley Medical College (SMC). The undeterred efforts as Dean, adjudged the MMC and KMC as best Medical Colleges in South by India Today and Outlook in the years 2009-2013.

The distinguished administration at SMC and KMC, elevated her to the post of the Director of Medical Education (DME) in Tamil Nadu in 2011.

The role of DME had provided an opportunity, even with limited parameters and infrastructure, she had uplifted the Medical Education through the establishment of new medical colleges, by giving opportunities to the students of Under-graduate and Post-graduate in pursuing their professional course. Adequate infrastructure was ensured to develop tertiary care hospitals. Superspeciality and new Post-graduate courses were started in different disciplines in the Medical colleges, in addition to increase in intake in UG and PG seats. More than 70,000 medical camps were conducted. Starting of Breast Milk Bank in Government Hospitals and DM Neonatology, led to decline in infant mortality rate.

The Best Teacher was awarded by the Tamil Nadu Medical Council in 2014. The passion towards teaching never deters her to develop proximity to the social needs.

During her Directorship, she raised high to the tragedy that took place in 2014 at Mugalivakkam, Porur, a Chennai suburb where, a skyrise building caved in due to sudden heavy downpour which led to the death of nearly 60 construction labourers. The organized relief efforts made by Dr.Geetha-lakshmi in ferrying affected labourers to hospital in ambulance and stationing a Medical Team full time at the devastated venue led to decline in death rate. The outstanding caliber exhibited by the DME, earned "Award of Effective Management of Rescue Operations" by the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

Dr.Geethalakshmi was the key person in delivering health care relief materials to the people of Chennai during unprecedented rains and floods in October to December 2015, and thus controlling the disease epidemic in the State. Spread of water-borne, mosquito borne diseases especially Dengue was curtailed due to her persistent efforts at disinfecting Chennai and its suburbs. she consolidated the efforts of men with matching power and brougNt resilience in the disturbed minds of the citizens.

The awards and accolades encouraged her to march towards the goals ahead of her. The Indian Association of Medical Microbiology, presented her with Life Time Achievement Award in 2015 for her contribution to Microbiology. For her yeoman service to the field of Medical Profession, she was presented with Life-time Achievement Award by M.V.Hospital for Diabetes & Prof.M.Viswanathan Diabetes Research Centre, in 2016.

Dr.S.Geethalakshmi, within eighteen months of assumption of the post of Vice-Chancellor, she aims to bring this University to greater heights on par with international standards in terms of curriculum, academic, development, research, collaborations with National and International Universities, exchange of faculty and students at home and abroad. The societal concern invokes her to bring certain services in this University for the development of society.

Keeping pace with fast changing world, the University had introduced Digitalization in the administration and education for better accuracy and fast disposal. Online Medical courses are also on pipeline, and some of them have reached the level of signing of MoUs with foreign Universities. For the benefit of students in the society with less affordability, the University introduced new Allied Health Scie nce Paramedical courses with cost effective and to face the competitive world.

She has been serving as Chairperson of the Selection Committee of Faculty at JIPMER, Puducherry. She published several Research papers in National and International Journals.

The concepts and innovative thoughts of Dr.Geethalakshmi have been taken and implemented by the Government of Tamil Nadu in terms of Medical Education and medical care to the people of Tamil Nadu.

The outstanding laurels she had achieved in her medical field, earned the Prestigious Dr. B.C. ROY NATIONAL AWARD in 2016.