B. Bharathi Reddy: A Healthcare Leader with an Innovative Mindset
The former US President Theodore Roosevelt aesthetically elucidates the difference between a leader and a boss. He says “People ask the difference between a leader and a boss. The leader leads, and the boss drives.” The tedious mundane task of everyday hospital management could often paralyze the innovative muscles of the hospital directors, eventually docking them inside the confinements of a boss. It takes an exceptional leader to overcome the hindrances, innovate, and democratize the benefits of those innovations. This embraces the story of B.Bharathi Reddy, Managing Trustee & CEO, Vijaya Medical & Educational Trust - Chennai, which was formed by B. NagiReddi, a recipient of Dada SahebPhalke award.
While leading the Vijaya Group of Hospitals, which is home to over 1700 employees and more than 500 healthcare professionals, Bharathi was instrumental in establishing the Mother’s Milk Bank (the first private milk bank in Chennai) and the stand alone Breast Clinic at the Hospital,with the sole purpose of bringing about a difference to the society. Till date, it has saved more than 1000 infants in need. CEO Insights interviews this award winning leader, who is also active in carrying out philanthropic activities like conducting regular free medical camps and distribution of First Aid Kits for government school children.
How has been the journey so far?
Commenced in 1972 (Vijaya Hospital), we have been able to build a unique reputation in the healthcare map of Chennai, especially in the cardiac care segment. The Vijaya Heart Foundation has performed more than 13,000 beating heart surgeries, more than 50,000 angio procedures, and is one of the leading centers in beating heart surgeries in India.
We also have been at the receiving end of several awards and recognition, including the recognition as a Centre of Quality Promotion by CAHO in 2018, Best Hospital to Work For in the year 2017 by the Association of Healthcare Providers India (AHPI). Formerly AHPI had also recognized us (Vijaya Group of Hospitals) for our outstanding services during 2015’s Chennai Floods. Furthermore, we were also awarded
While leading the Vijaya Group of Hospitals, which is home to over 1700 employees and more than 500 healthcare professionals, Bharathi was instrumental in establishing the Mother’s Milk Bank (the first private milk bank in Chennai) and the stand alone Breast Clinic at the Hospital,with the sole purpose of bringing about a difference to the society. Till date, it has saved more than 1000 infants in need. CEO Insights interviews this award winning leader, who is also active in carrying out philanthropic activities like conducting regular free medical camps and distribution of First Aid Kits for government school children.
How has been the journey so far?
Commenced in 1972 (Vijaya Hospital), we have been able to build a unique reputation in the healthcare map of Chennai, especially in the cardiac care segment. The Vijaya Heart Foundation has performed more than 13,000 beating heart surgeries, more than 50,000 angio procedures, and is one of the leading centers in beating heart surgeries in India.
We also have been at the receiving end of several awards and recognition, including the recognition as a Centre of Quality Promotion by CAHO in 2018, Best Hospital to Work For in the year 2017 by the Association of Healthcare Providers India (AHPI). Formerly AHPI had also recognized us (Vijaya Group of Hospitals) for our outstanding services during 2015’s Chennai Floods. Furthermore, we were also awarded
‘Mother and Baby Friendly Hospital’ by UNICEF in the year 2003.
Vijaya Group is a multi-structured organization. What are your different roles and responsibilities?
I am also the correspondent of Vijaya Educational Academy and Nagi Reddi Institute of Medical Education & Training. Vijaya Educational Academy is a long cherished dream of our founder, B.Nagi Reddi, providing allied health sciences courses in affiliation with the Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University. Nagi Reddi Institute of Medical Education & Training is involved in doctors and clinical staff engagement programs by looking into the development and providing knowledge support for our group. On the other hand, besides being a partner of Vibhar realtors, which was established in 2012; I am also the Producer of Vijaya Productions, which was founded by B.Nagi Reddi and has produced a number of films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi. In addition, I am honored to be Tamil Nadu state representative for Consortium of accredited healthcare organizations (CAHO), which is a not for profit organisation that helps healthcare organizations across the country.
You have established the first Milk Bank in Chennai. Could you tell us more about this brain-child of yours?
Donating your breast milk is one of the most precious acts of kindness you can do for sick babies and preterm babies. Most mothers of newborn babies produce enough milk for their babies. But in some unfortunate cases, when a baby is born early, mothers are not able to produce enough milk because they are under great stress or ill themselves. Our human milk bank collects and pasteurizes mothers’ milk using state-of-the-art equipment, which is then provided to preterm and sick infants in need.
Vijaya Group is a multi-structured organization. What are your different roles and responsibilities?
I am also the correspondent of Vijaya Educational Academy and Nagi Reddi Institute of Medical Education & Training. Vijaya Educational Academy is a long cherished dream of our founder, B.Nagi Reddi, providing allied health sciences courses in affiliation with the Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University. Nagi Reddi Institute of Medical Education & Training is involved in doctors and clinical staff engagement programs by looking into the development and providing knowledge support for our group. On the other hand, besides being a partner of Vibhar realtors, which was established in 2012; I am also the Producer of Vijaya Productions, which was founded by B.Nagi Reddi and has produced a number of films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi. In addition, I am honored to be Tamil Nadu state representative for Consortium of accredited healthcare organizations (CAHO), which is a not for profit organisation that helps healthcare organizations across the country.
Our human milk bank collects and pasteurizes mothers’ milk using state-of-the-art equipment, which is then provided to preterm and sick infants in need
You have established the first Milk Bank in Chennai. Could you tell us more about this brain-child of yours?
Donating your breast milk is one of the most precious acts of kindness you can do for sick babies and preterm babies. Most mothers of newborn babies produce enough milk for their babies. But in some unfortunate cases, when a baby is born early, mothers are not able to produce enough milk because they are under great stress or ill themselves. Our human milk bank collects and pasteurizes mothers’ milk using state-of-the-art equipment, which is then provided to preterm and sick infants in need.
Going forward, how do you want to build on this unparalleled success?
We will continue providing exemplary physical and emotional care for each of our patients and their families. We are looking for war to continually upgrade our services by becoming an internationally accredited hospital, while our mission remains the same, delivering quality healthcare at affordable prices, treating our patients with unparalleled skill and compassion, and striving with unrelenting commitment towards clinical excellence. We constantly instill our values, the six pillars of our excellence, which are Service, Quality & Safety, Integrity, Cooperation, Innovation, and Teamwork.
B.Bharathi Reddy, Managing Trustee & CEO
Bharathi is a graduate from Lady Shriram College, New Delhi with BA Economics Honours. She has also completed her MBA (Marketing) from Kothari Academy. A multifaceted personality who excels beyond the healthcare industry, she has spread the Midas touch to other industries including printing, constructions and film productions.
Awards & Recognition:
• Elected as a member of the Local Advisory Committee (Chennai)in the Tirupathi Tirumala Devasthanams Trust in 2020
• Elected for the CAHO governing Committee in 2019 as the State Representative for Tamil Nadu
• Sarvodaya Stree Sakthi Harmony & Empowerment Award, presented by Thiru Banwarilal Purohit, the Hon’ble Governor of Tamil Nadu in 2018
• The ‘Health Warrior Award’ by Indian Medical Association (TN) in 2018
• Woman of Excellence Award by Indian Achiever’s Forum in 2013
• FICCI Award for exemplary contribution and impactful positive contribution to Healthcare in Tamil Nadu in 2014
We will continue providing exemplary physical and emotional care for each of our patients and their families. We are looking for war to continually upgrade our services by becoming an internationally accredited hospital, while our mission remains the same, delivering quality healthcare at affordable prices, treating our patients with unparalleled skill and compassion, and striving with unrelenting commitment towards clinical excellence. We constantly instill our values, the six pillars of our excellence, which are Service, Quality & Safety, Integrity, Cooperation, Innovation, and Teamwork.
B.Bharathi Reddy, Managing Trustee & CEO
Bharathi is a graduate from Lady Shriram College, New Delhi with BA Economics Honours. She has also completed her MBA (Marketing) from Kothari Academy. A multifaceted personality who excels beyond the healthcare industry, she has spread the Midas touch to other industries including printing, constructions and film productions.
Awards & Recognition:
• Elected as a member of the Local Advisory Committee (Chennai)in the Tirupathi Tirumala Devasthanams Trust in 2020
• Elected for the CAHO governing Committee in 2019 as the State Representative for Tamil Nadu
• Sarvodaya Stree Sakthi Harmony & Empowerment Award, presented by Thiru Banwarilal Purohit, the Hon’ble Governor of Tamil Nadu in 2018
• The ‘Health Warrior Award’ by Indian Medical Association (TN) in 2018
• Woman of Excellence Award by Indian Achiever’s Forum in 2013
• FICCI Award for exemplary contribution and impactful positive contribution to Healthcare in Tamil Nadu in 2014