Dr. Krishna Manohar Soman Rema: A Legacy of Innovation, Education, and Compassion in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery

Dr. Krishna Manohar Soman Rema (SR) (1956-2022) was a pioneering congenital cardiac surgeon and an inspiring educator who dedicated his life to advancing pediatric cardiac care and mentoring the next generation of surgeons. Trained in cardiac surgery at the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology in Kerala, he served as faculty there for 20 years, contributing significantly to the development of the Chitra Heart Valve. His career also included tenures at the Madras Medical Mission, Frontier Lifeline Hospital, and the Sri Sathya Sai Hospital in Whitefield, Bengaluru. Dr. Krishna Manohar's most enduring contribution was his role in establishing cardiac surgical services at the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani International Centre for Child Heart Care and Research in Palwal, Haryana, part of a network of hospitals offering free congenital heart surgery to underprivileged children. Under his leadership, these centers performed over 22,000 open-heart and interventional procedures over a decade, achieving excellent outcomes. An exceptional mentor, Dr. Krishna Manohar introduced a transformative ABCD framework for cardiac surgery, emphasizing adaptability, befriending collaboration, compassion, and discipline. He employed innovative teaching methods, such as the Handicraft Your Own Heart technique, to simplify complex concepts for trainees. Recognized for his dedication, he received numerous accolades, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Pediatric Cardiac Society of India in 2023. Dr. Krishna Manohar's legacy lives on through his students and the institutions he helped build, inspiring future generations to continue his mission of providing high-quality, accessible care to children with congenital heart disease (CHD).