Jose Chacko Periappuram, Cardiac Surgeon
Cardiac Surgeon

Jose Chacko Periappuram

Born 28 April 1958 · verify

Performed Kerala's first successful heart transplant and India's first heart retransplant.

Jose Chacko Periappuram is an Indian cardiac surgeon and medical writer who performed the first successful heart transplant in the state of Kerala, India, as well as the first successful heart retransplant in the country. His other achievements include the first beating heart, awake bypass and total arterial revascularization surgeries in the state. Periappuram is a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, the Royal College of Surgeons of Glasgow and the Royal College of Surgeons of London. He is the founder and chairman of "Heart Care Foundation", a charitable trust that financially assists poor heart patients.

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A detail that
surprised us

“

Jose Chacko Periappuram carried a silver cross in his pocket during Kerala’s first heart transplant surgery in 2003, praying for his hands to move in the right direction during the delicate procedure.

The Story

1
🌟 In May 2003, at Medical Trust Hospital, Kochi, Jose Chacko Periappuram led the surgical team that performed Kerala's first successful heart transplant, a milestone that placed the state as the third in India to achieve this feat.
2
After returning from the UK in the 1990s, he secured the rare distinction of FRCS qualifications from all three Royal Colleges of Surgeons—Glasgow, Edinburgh, and London—culminating with his cardiac surgery certification in 1994.
3In 2014, at Lisie Hospital, Kochi, he executed India’s first successful heart re-transplant, saving a patient whose initial transplanted heart developed a valve infection, marking a pioneering advance in Indian cardiac care.
4💉 During his training in the UK, he was mentored by I. M. Breckenridge, a surgeon involved in England’s first heart surgery in the 1960s, linking Periappuram to a lineage of cardiac surgical innovation.

🏅 Awards & Honours

2011
Padma Shri
2025
Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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He is one of the few cardiac surgeons globally to earn FRCS qualifications in general and cardiac surgery from the Royal Colleges of Glasgow, Edinburgh, and London by 1994.

📸 Through the Years

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🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Born in South Paravur, Kerala
Jose Chacko Periappuram was born to P. M. Chacko and Mary Chacko in South Paravur village, Ernakulam district, Kerala.
1958
📚
Education
Completed MBBS at Kottayam Medical College
Graduated in medicine from Government Medical College, Kottayam before pursuing further training abroad.
1985
📚
Education
FRCS Part 1 from Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland
Passed FRCS Part 1 in Dublin and undertook general surgical training in Irish hospitals.
1986
📚
Education
FRCS in Cardiac Surgery
Achieved FRCS in cardiac surgery from the Royal Colleges of Glasgow and Edinburgh after training at University Hospital of Wales and Manchester Royal Infirmary.
1994
⚡
Career
Performed Kerala's first heart transplant
Led the surgical team at Medical Trust Hospital, Kochi to complete Kerala's inaugural successful heart transplant.
2003
⚡
Career
India's first heart re-transplant
Conducted the country's first successful heart re-transplant at Lisie Hospital, Kochi.
2014
🏅
Award
Awarded Padma Bhushan
Received the Padma Bhushan from the Government of India for distinguished service in healthcare.
2025
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

In 2014, Periappuram performed the first successful heart re-transplant in India, a complex procedure rarely attempted due to its high risk and technical demands.

02 / 04
🔍LESSER KNOWN

During Kerala’s first heart transplant in 2003, the hospital chose to bear all costs for the surgery and follow-up, a decision that was crucial to the operation’s success and patient care.

03 / 04
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

Periappuram trained under I. M. Breckenridge, a surgeon involved in England’s first heart surgery in the 1960s, linking him directly to a historic cardiac surgery lineage.

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"The only thing that can prevent you from going forward is you, no other obstacle can."

— Jose Chacko Periappuram

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
JB Junction: Cardiac Surgeon Dr Jos Chacko Periappuram - Part 2 | 19th September 2015
·YouTube
More from this archive
JB Junction: Cardiac Surgeon Dr Jos Chacko Periappuram - Part 2 | 19th September 2015
01
JB Junction: Cardiac Surgeon Dr Jos Chacko Periappuram - Part 2 | 19th September 2015
YouTube
Have a Heart: Lessons a Cardiologist learned | Dr. Jose Chacko Periappuram | TEDxThiruvananthapuram
02
Have a Heart: Lessons a Cardiologist learned | Dr. Jose Chacko Periappuram | TEDxThiruvananthapuram
YouTube
JB Junction: Cardiac Surgeon Dr Jos Chacko Periappuram - Part 1 | 13th September 2015 | Full Episode
03
JB Junction: Cardiac Surgeon Dr Jos Chacko Periappuram - Part 1 | 13th September 2015 | Full Episode
YouTube
Don't give up, Plod on | Jose Chacko | TEDxChoiceSchool
04
Don't give up, Plod on | Jose Chacko | TEDxChoiceSchool
YouTube

🌱 What changed because of them

Jose Chacko Periappuram’s work established Kerala as a center for advanced cardiac surgery, inspiring hospitals like Medical Trust and Lisie to develop robust transplant programs. His pioneering heart re-transplant set new clinical standards in India, while his Heart Care Foundation has provided critical financial aid, making life-saving surgeries accessible to poor patients. The Padma Bhushan award in 2025 further highlighted the importance of cardiac care innovation in India’s healthcare narrative.

💬 Social Buzz

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💭 Memories & Tributes

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