Chennai bids farewell to a legend: Dr. K. Mathangi Ramakrishnan, a distinguished plastic and reconstructive surgeon, and the driving force behind burn care in South India, passed away on Monday, October 27, 2025, at the age of 91. Her family confirmed her peaceful passing due to age-related complications.
Born in 1934, Dr. Mathangi embarked on her illustrious medical journey at Madras Medical College, Chennai, where she earned her MBBS. Her passion for advanced surgical techniques led her to pursue specialized training in plastic and reconstructive surgery in both the United Kingdom and the United States.
Her pioneering spirit shone brightest when she founded the plastic surgery department and the critical burns unit at Government Kilpauk Medical College (KMC), Chennai. Under her leadership, this unit evolved into one of India’s premier government facilities, offering unparalleled comprehensive burn care and rehabilitation, and remains Tamil Nadu’s central government burns unit to this day.
Professor Mathangi concluded her distinguished government service as the esteemed Professor and Head of the Department of Burns, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery at KMC. Her expertise was further recognized through her roles as an Emeritus Professor of Plastic Surgery at the Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University and an Emeritus Scientist at the Central Leather Research Institute, Chennai.
Her professional life was a testament to her unique blend of groundbreaking surgical innovation and profound compassion, especially for patients from underprivileged communities. A significant highlight of her career was her collaborative research with the Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) in Chennai, which resulted in the creation of a pioneering collagen membrane. This innovative material served as an effective burn wound cover, a technique that rapidly gained widespread adoption, saving countless lives.
A prolific scholar, Dr. Mathangi authored numerous articles in both Indian and international medical journals and was a sought-after lecturer across the globe. Her dedication to education extended to authoring several influential books and chapters on plastic surgery and burn care. She meticulously trained and mentored countless plastic and reconstructive surgeons, instilling in them her unwavering commitment to excellence, ethical practice, and profound empathy, a legacy that continues to thrive through their work.
The burns unit at Government Kilpauk Medical College (KMC), Chennai | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Her extraordinary contributions were celebrated with a multitude of national and international accolades. Notably, she received the prestigious Padma Shri in 2002 from the Government of India for her trailblazing efforts in treating burn victims and advancing reconstructive surgery. Other significant honors include the Dr. B.C. Roy National Award for exceptional service in clinical medicine, the Avvaiyar Award in 2014 from the government of Tamil Nadu for her remarkable dedication to pediatric burn care, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Burns India, the Sushruta Gold Medal from the Association of Surgeons of India, and the G. Whitaker International Burns Prize in Palermo, Italy, in 2009, among many others.
Throughout her illustrious career, she actively shaped medical policy and practice through various leadership roles. These included serving as the honorary secretary of the Burns Association of India (Madras), a distinguished member of the International Confederation of Plastic and Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons, a vital member of the International Society for Burn Injuries, and a revered fellow of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (India). She also represented India on the global stage as the national representative of the Asian Pacific Section of the International Confederation of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and as the regional representative for South East Asia at the International Society for Burn Injuries.
Dr. Mathangi maintained a profound connection with the CHILDS Trust Hospital in Chennai, an institution founded by her late husband, Dr. M.S. Ramakrishnan. Following his demise, she steadfastly continued her service to the hospital, taking on the crucial role of chairperson for the CHILDS Trust Medical Research Foundation in Chennai.
She leaves behind a loving family: her daughter Priya Ramachandran, son-in-law B. Ramachandra, and grandsons Hari and Keshav Ramachandran. In a final act of generosity, her eyes were donated to Sankara Nethralaya, continuing her legacy of giving even in passing.