The Story of Sree Mookambika Institutions
The origins of Sree Mookambika Institutions are deeply rooted in a tradition of community service and social responsibility. Inspired by the vision of Shri K. V. Krishnan Nair, who believed that meaningful service begins within one’s own community, his son Dr. C. K. Velayuthan Nair and daughter-in-law Dr. Rema V. Nair dedicated their lives to providing accessible healthcare and quality education in their native region of Kulasekharam in Kanyakumari district.
Though a successful and highly regarded Professor in Manipal, it was always the Chairman’s deep-rooted desire to fulfil the promise he had made to his father — to return to his hometown and continue the tradition of serving the people through quality healthcare. Guided by this commitment, Dr. Velayuthan Nair and his wife, Dr. Rema V. Nair, returned to Kanyakumari to serve their community. The foundation of Sree Mookambika Institutions is built upon these humble beginnings and high ideals of service.
This commitment took shape in 1986 with the establishment of Velayudhan Pillai Memorial Hospital, named in honour of Dr. Velayuthan Nair’s grandfather, a respected Ayurveda practitioner of Kanyakumari district. The hospital began as a modest rural healthcare facility addressing the essential medical needs of the surrounding communities and gradually evolved into a trusted centre for compassionate and affordable care.
With a strong sense of social responsibility and commitment to inclusive healthcare, numerous medical camps were organized in rural and tribal regions, ensuring that even the most remote communities had access to medical services. Patients requiring admission were brought to the hospital and treated free of cost. These initiatives provided immense relief to many poor families, particularly during challenging times such as the 1990 floods and the 2004 tsunami, when the institution extended support and care to affected communities.
Dr. Rema V. Nair has also played an important role in community development and public health initiatives. As the former Chairman of the Family Planning Association of India, she led several awareness and outreach programmes, working closely with organizations such as the Mahila Mandal. She is widely recognized in the region for her free family planning services and educational programmes conducted for women and families.
To further strengthen and institutionalize these efforts, the Padanilam Welfare Trust was formally established on 27 February 1992 (Reg. No. 20 of 1992) as a public charitable trust. The Trust was founded with the vision of advancing healthcare, education, research, and social welfare, particularly among rural and underserved populations of southern Tamil Nadu.
The Trust was built on the principles of inclusiveness and service, working to improve the quality of life of communities irrespective of caste, creed, religion, or socioeconomic background. Its activities focus on:
• Promoting accessible healthcare services and medical education
• Supporting the upliftment of rural populations, especially women, children, and marginalized communities
• Establishing educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and research centres
• Creating vocational and professional training opportunities for youth
• Promoting preventive healthcare, sanitation awareness, nutrition, and environmental health
• Organizing community outreach programmes and public health initiatives
• Supporting social welfare activities including rehabilitation, disability care, elderly care, and health awareness programmes
From its humble beginnings as a rural healthcare initiative, this vision has steadily grown into the Sree Mookambika Group of Institutions, a comprehensive healthcare and educational ecosystem.
Today, the group includes institutions dedicated to:
• Medical education and tertiary healthcare services
• Dental education and clinical services
• Nursing and allied health sciences education
• Integrative healthcare including Ayurveda and traditional medicine
• Specialized oncology services through the Sree Mookambika Cancer Centre
• School education and community-focused academic initiatives
• Research and innovation centres supporting interdisciplinary scientific advancement
Together, these institutions serve thousands of patients each year while educating and training a large number of students and healthcare professionals. The system continues to emphasize affordability, accessibility, academic excellence, ethical practice, and community engagement.
Guided by its founding philosophy of compassionate service and inclusive development, the Trust remains committed to strengthening rural healthcare, expanding opportunities in professional education, and advancing research that addresses regional and national healthcare needs.
Guiding Lights (Change photo- ask deepu)
Late Shri. Velayudhan Pillai- (Renowned & Only Ayurveda Physician in Kanya Kumari District in the 1930s Grandfather of the Chairman)
Late Shri. K. V. Krishnan Nair-Founder-(Father of the Chairman)
Late Smt. Sharadha Amma- (Mother of the Chairman)
Dean’s Message
Dr S M Kannan
MS, MCh.
At Sree Mookambika Institute of Medical Sciences (SMIMS), our primary focus is to provide high-quality medical education that meets the evolving standards of the National Medical Commission (NMC). The institution follows the Competency Based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum, which emphasizes early clinical exposure, integrated learning, skill-based training, and the development of professional competencies required for modern medical practice.
A key component of this approach is the AETCOM (Attitude, Ethics and Communication) module, which helps students cultivate professionalism, empathy, ethical responsibility, and effective communication in patient care. Our goal is to ensure that every graduate from SMIMS is not only clinically competent but also compassionate and socially responsible.
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SMIMS currently admits 150 MBBS students every year and offers a wide range of Postgraduate programs with a total of 73 PG seats across multiple specialties. Our students benefit from strong clinical exposure supported by a large teaching hospital and experienced faculty dedicated to mentoring and academic excellence.
The institution places great emphasis on faculty development and continuous academic improvement, in alignment with NMC guidelines. Regular Faculty Development Programs, workshops, conferences, undergraduate CMEs, seminars, and academic discussions are conducted to promote a vibrant learning environment and encourage research and innovation.
At SMIMS, we strive to create a learning ecosystem that integrates clinical excellence, ethical practice, academic rigour, and community-oriented healthcare. Our commitment is to train medical professionals who are capable of meeting the healthcare needs of society with competence, compassion, and integrity.
I welcome aspiring students to join SMIMS and become part of an institution dedicated to excellence in medical education and service to humanity.
The Path We Walked
A Chronicle of Commitment – Glimpses from Our Journey
From a 25-bedded hospital in 1986, the journey has evolved into a comprehensive ecosystem of healthcare and education. Over the years, Sree Mookambika Institutions have grown steadily across sectors including healthcare services, education, and community welfare.
The Path We Walked
Our Impact
Over the decades, Sree Mookambika Institutions have graduated thousands of doctors, dentists, and nurses who continue to serve society with skill, compassion, and professional excellence across India and internationally.
Academic Strength
Postgraduate programs across major disciplines including Medical, Dental, Nursing, and Allied Health Sciences, producing competent clinicians, researchers, and future educators.
Healthcare Services
A multi-specialty tertiary care hospital delivering advanced diagnostics, specialized care, emergency services, and community healthcare programs.
Quality Assurance
SMIMS is NABH accredited, reflecting high standards of patient safety, clinical care, and institutional excellence.
Academic Excellence
Programs aligned with NMC, DCI, INC, and other statutory bodies, ensuring quality education and training.
Community Reach
Through outreach camps, health awareness programs, and rural health initiatives, the institution continues to serve communities across the region.
State-of-the-Art Research
A well-established research ecosystem supported by modern laboratories and interdisciplinary collaborations, promoting scientific inquiry, innovation, and high-quality publications that contribute to advancements in healthcare and medical education.
