Thulasiraj Ravilla
Executive Director, LAICO
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Start date: February 12, 2025
End date: February 25, 2025
Location: LAICO
Management training for eye care programme manangers of …
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Thulasiraj began his career as Systems Manager in Berger Paints (India) Ltd., Calcutta in 1973. One of the founding members of Aravind Eye Care System, he became the Administrator of Aravind Eye Hospital in 1981. He is currently the Executive Director of Lions Aravind Institute of Community Ophthalmology (LAICO) as well as the Director – Operations for Aravind Eye Care System.
He is the Founder President of VISION 2020: The Right to Sight-India and now, one of the honorary member in Management Board. He is also the Board Member of Seva Foundation, USA; Aravind Eye Foundation, USA; Acumen Fund, USA, Indian Institute of Management, Kolkatta; Indian Institute of Health Management and Research, Bangalore and member of several National and International Advisory Committees on Eye Care. He is the President for Aurolab Trust, and Trustee & Treasurer for DHAN Foundation.
He holds his Bachelors from Madras Christian College and PGDM (MBA) from Indian Institute of Management. He is visiting scholar at University of Michigan Ann Arbor, USA.
Since 1985, Thulsiraj have been involved actively in the several research activities of the hospital both as researcher and research administrator. The following is a list of such major projects:
A sample survey was done, in an area representative of two districts, using trained eye health workers. Their diagnostic findings were compared with that of ophthalmologists to establish the level of accuracy. Was involved in the development of protocol & budget, design of the study, implementation, data management analysis and report writing.
This study evaluated alternate strategies to motivate patients with operable cataract. The study covered 90 villages with a sample of about 22,500 individuals. Was associated with the development of protocol, procedure manual and actively involved in the implementation. Was responsible for project management, data management and analysis.
This was a prospective randomized, double masked clinical trial involving a total of 15,419 children. The study employed about 300 field workers to administer 52 weekly doses and record morbidity details on all the children. In addition a detailed medical examination and anthropomorphic measurements were done at baseline and at end of study. Was involved in the budget development, manual of operations and in implementation. Established the entire data gathering, entry and data management mechanism. Was primarily responsible for the project management, data and logistics of manpower and supplies.
This again was a randomized clinical trial involving a total sample of 3,400 patients. The study was completed with a 97% follow-up rate. Involved in the implementation, data management and overall project management.
This study is presently on-going. The recruitment of 3,400 study subjects and the intervention are complete. The study is designed to have a one year follow-up on all patients and this is nearing completion with over 90% follow-up coverage. Associated in the development of protocol, budget and manual of procedures. Responsible for the integrity of data gathering and its management.
This is a population based survey in which 5,000 persons over the age of 40 will undergo a very comprehensive eye examination. The enumeration is done in the field and the individuals are transported to the hospital for a detailed eye examination, which includes visual fields, grading of the lens and examination of the posterior chamber. This is a multi‑centre study with two centres. Involved as the Principal Investigator.
Temporary advisor to WHO on the issues of solar UV‑B radiation on the eye. Participated in the two workshops held at WHO, Geneva on ‘Effect of Ultra Violet Radiation on the eye’; held from 30th August to 3rd September, 1993 and in March 1994.
Member of the Technical Advisory Committee for the WHO sponsored Evaluation of the Cataract Services in Nepal. (1994 – 96) and China (1996-97).
This is a prospective, double masked, placebo control trial to determine the potential of oral antioxidant supplementation to retard the progression of cataracts in South India for a sample of 800 subjects. This study is presently going on and will continue for a period of 3 years. I am involved in the study as investigator.
To evaluate the efficacy of vitamin A supplementation of new-born infants (25,000 IU x 2 Doses) on mortality within the first 6 months of life using a community-based distribution outcome assessment strategy. My role in this is co-investigator.
Gender Issues in a Cataract Surgical Population in South India- supported by Seva Canada. This was a hospital based cross sectional study conducted over a period of 30 weeks including around 6600 cataract surgical patients. I was a co-investigator in this study.
The primary objective of this study is to compare the uptake of spectacles (as a means of refractive error correction) across four different dispensing methods. I was a co-investigator in this study.
The overall objective of this epidemiological research is to assess the prevalence and socioeconomic burden of near visual impairment caused by uncorrected presbyopia. I was the Principle investigator in this study.
Market share, demand potential and demand pattern for each of their retail outlets were assessed through an extensive market survey. The findings of the survey together with the company’s marketing plans formed the basis for evolving the inventory model.
The paper was a survey and consolidation of literature in this area. The topics covered include distribution, warehouse location, pricing and advertising media selection.
This is a comprehensive report on the industry covering all aspects such as Government regulations, raw materials, pricing and discount structures, distribution, problems, etc.
A general article on various principles of corporate planning. Chemical Engineering World ‑ August 1978 issue.
A paper describing a centralized Inventory system that handled multi‑production facilities, supplying products to over 20 sales outlets, raw material inputs numbered over 400 while the finished goods were over 2000 stock keeping units.
2018 : IIM’s Distinguished Alumnus Award, Kolkata
2018 : TNOA Dr. GV Community Ophthalmology Oration at their annual meeting held in Pondicherry
2017 : Bangladesh Oph. Society’s Alim Memorial Lecturer
2016 : Bangalore Oph. Society’s Gold Medal Oration award
2014 : Most inspiring Healthcare Leader of the year (2014) by Times of India
2014 : Listed amongst the 30 most influential people in public health
2013 : IPE – CSR Corporate Governance Social Innovation Award as part of the IPE-CSR Corporate Governance. Awarded at Mumbai on November 24, 2013.
2009 : Chinese Ophthalmological Society has awarded the International Gold Award of COS for outstanding contribution and support in the field of eye care in China.
2009 : Invited speaker at the TED – 2009 meeting in Mysore, India.
2008 : “Hospital Administrator of the Year in 2008” in India by Modern Medicare and GE Health group.
2006 : Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary club of Tiruchirappalli Rock City
2004 : IAPB’s Regional Achievement Award given in the General Assembly in Dubai
2004 : Designated as the Schwab Fellow of the World Economic Forum
2004 : Vivekanand Ratna Award given by NAB Hospital in Miraj, Maharashtra
1993 : Certificate of Honorary Citizenship of State of Maryland, USA awarded on 18th May 1993
Sivakartika
Management Executive
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics & Instrumentation Engineering from Anna University, Chennai and has worked as a Monitoring Executive for LAICO’s consultancy services for 2 years until 2014. She has rejoined in the Training Division since 2017. Her primary role includes streamlining, standardizing and enhancing the division’s activities. She is also actively involved in social responsibility and cultural related activities in the organization.
Manickaselvi
Co-ordinator
Manickaselvi joined LAICO in the year 2001 as an Office assistant and is currently working as Co-ordinator, LAICO office. She holds a diploma in Electronics & Communication along with a Bachelors in Computer Applications. She is known for her diligence and scrutiny in using the resources provided optimally.
Jenifer joined LAICO as an Executive Secretary in 2016. She holds a Master’s in English and Diploma in Hotel Management. Her major role is to provide a secretarial support to Executive Director and also coordinating management courses.
Parvin joined LAICO in the year 2001 as a Front Office Assistant. She holds a Bachelor’s in Zoology from Fatima College. She is the first person many get to see as they enter LAICO and efficiently takes care of the front desk activities.
Barathi joined Aravind Eye care System in the year 1993 August as a typist. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in commerce from Mannar Thirumalai Nayakar College- Pasumalai. Presently she is a Secretary at LAICO. She is also involved in various tasks like preparations and support to organize workshops & courses, documentation and filing and monitoring monthly reports in consultancy division.
Chitra Devi joined Aravind Eye care System in the year 2014 as Patient feedback coordinator. She holds a Master’s in Business Administration. Presently she is a Program associate in Consultancy division at LAICO. Her key responsibilities include organising Vision Building Workshops and coordinating various consultancy activities at LAICO.
Veni started her career as a Management Intern at LAICO in 2004. Since then she is managing training activities, taking care of the administrative responsibilities for the admissions of all training programmes at Aravind Eye Care System. She holds a Master’s degree from Avinashilingam Deemed University, Coimbatore and MBA from Madurai Kamaraj University, India.
After completing his graduation from St. Joseph’s College, Trichy, Ln. Raja joined family business. He was elected unanimously as District Governor, Lions District 324-B3 during 1991-92. He was appointed as Grant Administrator – LAICO and for several manpower development programmes and a project for creating awareness on Diabetic Retinopathy. Associated with German Lions as a Honorary Representative for establishing 15 new eye hospitals throughout India. He was bestowed with “FRIEND TO HUMANITY”, the highest award given by Lions Clubs International Foundation, the service arm of Lions Clubs International. He is the Founder President of Madurai Spinners Association. He is also the Chairman of Madurai Spinners Association Trust which runs a textile testing laboratory under Public Private Partnership with Textiles Committee of India.
Thulsi began his career as Systems Manager in Berger Paints (India) Ltd., Calcutta in June 1973. One of the founding members of Aravind Eye Care System, he became the Administrator of Aravind Eye Hospital in 1981 and later on, the Executive Director of LAICO. He is the founder President of VISION 2020: The Right to Sight-India. Thulsi holds his bachelor from Madras Christian College and PGDM (MBA) from Indian Institute of Management. He is a Visiting Scholar at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor, USA.
She joined LAICO in 2016. She is currently taking care of various travel arrangements for the LAICO/AECS team including ticketing and coordinating with the travel agencies.
She joined LAICO in 2015 and is actively involved in developing and maintaining a dashboard of LAICO’s consultancy services. Her primary responsibilities include collation, analysis and presentation of performance data from the partner hospitals.
Joined in 2009, she is a Program Associate at LAICO. She holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Madurai Kamaraj University. Her major responsibility at LAICO is coordinating visitors and study groups. She does also coordinating few management courses at LAICO.
She joined as Admin-intern in the year 2012 and became Administrative Assistant in 2013. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in commerce and is currently pursuing Master’s in Business Administration from Madurai Kamaraj University. She is coordinating few management courses, instruments maintenance course and several custom designed courses at LAICO.
Thenmozhi joined LAICO as an Admin-intern in the year 2007. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the Madurai Kamaraj University. She has been co-coordinating the operations research activities until 2011.Presently she is a Program Associate, coordinating planning and logistics of various workshops and consultations.
Udayakumar obtained his Master’s degree in Social Work from Madurai Kamaraj University. He joined LAICO in August 2015 as a faculty associate in the Training Division. Currently he is focusing on the various training activities of LAICO.
Syed joined LAICO’s consultancy division as faculty in 2014. His current profile includes offering mentoring services to eye hospitals and promotion of LAICO Collaborative series. He is also part of the Central Operations team.
He joined LAICO’s Consultancy Division in 2014 after working with HelpAge India as a Programme Officer, where he managed operations related to service delivery to old age population. As a Faculty in this division he is involved in running collaborative series for eye hospitals, offering capacity building programmes and managing eye care projects.
Mohammed Gowth joined Aravind in 2004 as a Management Intern and underwent comprehensive management fellowship. Later, he served as the Manager of Community Outreach Services. He anchored the project to scale up vision centre activities. In 2011, he joined LAICO as a Faculty. His main focus currently is ensuring universal coverage in eye care through vision centres.
Sanil joined Aravind in 2005 as faculty associate focusing initially on training activities and later on consultancy and research. Currently, he anchors the Health Services Research initiatives at Aravind. His current research focuses on use of telemedicine in the screening of Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) and impact of Vision Centres in achieving universal coverage. He is also involved in designing and conducting various training programmes, teaching in training courses, and mentoring eye hospitals in India and abroad. Mr. Sanil holds an MSc in public Health from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and a Masters in Hospital Administration (MHA) from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala.
Suresh started his career at Aravind as a Management intern in June 2004 after completing PGDHM from Madurai Kamaraj University. He later became Manager- Patient Care at Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai. Currently, he is a Senior Faculty in the Consultancy Division. Mr. Suresh holds a Master’s in Sociology from D.A.V.P.G College, Dehradun.
Sashi heads the consulting services for developing sustainable eye hospitals in the not-for-profit sector. During her tenure at Aravind, Sashi was involved in various projects including tele-ophthalmology, paediatric eye care, human resource development, and primary eye care services. For Sashi, volunteering on a not-for-profit board like Seva Canada is a natural extension of her beliefs in giving back to the community. In her leisure time, Sashi likes to study history, dabble in photography and go for treks. She is planning to scale Ladakh in the future.
Vijay obtained his Master’s degree in social work and M. Phil in the same discipline from Madurai Kamaraj University. He joined Aravind as Social worker for Vitamin-A Project in 1987. In 1991, he became a project coordinator at Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai. He had coordinated and implemented various research studies/projects like Madurai Intraocular Lens Study-MIOLS, Community Based Rehabilitation Project, Indian Visual Function and Quality of life questionnaire Development study IND-VFQ and Diabetic retinopathy projects. Currently he is in charge of the Projects division.
RMS began his career with Aravind Eye Care System (AECS) in 1983 as Administrative Assistant in the Community Outreach department. At present, he is the Senior Manager, taking care of the extensive eye care outreach network across the Aravind Hospitals. He developed various components of Aravind Outreach in terms of planning, training, execution and evaluation of outreach programmes. Currently his areas of focus include standardization of outreach practices across AECS, outreach training programmes and teaching in various training courses at LAICO, leading consultancy for capacity building projects in India and abroad. He holds a Masters in Hospital Management (MHM) from Madurai Kamaraj University, Tamilnadu.
Ganesh began his career with Aravind Eye Care System (AECS) in 1988 as Computer Programmer and went on to become the Senior Manager. He developes data management solutions for research projects and manages data processing of several research projects. His areas of interest include designing IT solutions, managing IT team for development, and implementing support services for Aravind and other NGO eye hospitals. He serves as consultant in the fields of hospital management system software, capacity development and data management. He is a faculty for training courses related to Management Information System and IT applications. He holds a Masters in Software Systems from BITS, Pilani and Masters in Commerce from Madurai Kamaraj University.
Dhivya joined LAICO in 2009 as part of the new division for Advocacy and Patient Empowerment. She anchors the management training programmes at LAICO. An MBA graduate, she has previous experience as the manager of the spectacle division at Aravind Eye Hospital. Her interests include refractive error services, patient engagement and training design.