DR. G. VISWANATHAN – 1905-1984
Dr G. Viswanathan was born on April 17th 1905 in Burma to Mr. Govintham Pillai, and Mrs. Suntharammal. Mr. V. Govintham Pillai who hailed from Tiruvalar Solai, Trichy District worked as a teacher at Burma Engineering School. Dr. G..Viswanathan moved to Sri Rangam and continued his studies at Sri Rangam Boys Higher Secondary School. Dr. G. Viswanathan completed his medicine at Madras Medical College, Chennai. During his studies he suffered an acute attack of Tuberculosis. for which there was no treatment available in those days. He was bed ridden for more than a year and kept in an isolation ward in Government Hospital, Royapettah, Chennai. There was no definitive treatment, but gradually he recovered and this major incident in his life motivated him to serve the
poor and needy. Dr. G. Viswanathan MBBS, founder of the GVN Hospital started his humble journey in the medical field in 1939 at Big Bazar Street in Trichy in a small way. In 1940 he started a free dispensary at his residence in Srirangam and a nursing home with ten beds in Big Bazar Street in Trichy. Dr. Viswanathan led a simple life and mode of transport was horse. His consultation was free of cost and also paid for his patients transport on many occasions. In 1950 the hospital was shifted to Babu Road with an increased strength of 16. Dr. Viswanathan’s sister joined with him as the first obstetrician and gynecologist in Trichy. Dr. Viswanathan was the first honorary surgeon to the government head quarters hospital, Trichy and performed general surgeries which was hydrocele, hernia even gastrojejunostomies and also served President of the Indian Medical Association, Trichy.
His valuable service was extended to the prisoners in jail, Sri Ramakrishna Tapovanam Thiruparaithurai an institution for 3 decades where consultation and treatment was given free, Sri Ramakrishna Kudil Orphanage and orphanage for 5 decades where treatment and consultation was given free, Osanam free dispensary, Joseph College, Holy Cross which made him a legend in the medical fraternity. The patients did not consider him merely as a doctor who attends to their sickness, to them he was also a trusted friend and councilor. He was a great friend and philosopher for many of his friends and colleagues. Dr. Viswanathan fulfilled his dreams and attained the Lord’s feet at the age of 77 on April 4th 1984.
Criteria for the Award:
- Member of ASI with contribution to TNASI
- Below the Age of 55 years
- Non teaching Surgeon(should not be attached to any medical college)but can have DNB recognition in his or her Hospital.
Dr. G. Viswanathan Surgeon Par Excellence Awardees
| 2014 | Dr. V. Venkatesh, Trichy |
| 2015 | Dr. S. Easwaramoorthy, Erode |
| 2016 | Dr. J. S. Rajkumar, Chennai |
| 2017 | Dr. T. Sivakumar, Nagercoil |
| 2018 | Dr. A. Rajasekar, Salem |
| 2019 | Dr. J. W. Ebenesh Bensam, Nagercoil |