Aleyamma Kuruvilla, who was the Dean of CMC’s College of Nursing from 1961 to 1979, was the first Indian to hold that position in the institution. In 1981, the nursing section of the Directorate General of Health Services recognised her outstanding contributions to the nursing profession and awarded her with the ‘National Award for Nursing Personnel – 1981’. The Christian Medical Association of India (CMAI) conferred on her the Dr. D. W. Mategoankar Award for her outstanding services in the healing ministry, in 2009.
Ms. Kuruvilla, was born on 7th February, 1922 and hails from Eraviperoor, Kerala. After schooling she did B.A in Zoology from the Women’s Christian College, Chennai and worked as a teacher in a high school in Kerala, She joined Christian Medical College, Vellore in 1944 to undergo General Nursing and Midwifery training and went on to pursue B.A Sociology from Indore and M.A in Nursing Education from Columbia University, USA.
She worked in many capacities in the Nursing services and in the School of Nursing. She taught nursing subjects
and sociology. She held various administrative positions as Deputy Nursing Superintendent, Assistant Dean and as the Dean from 1961 to 1979.She was responsible for reorganising the nursing services introducing the integration of nursing service and nursing education.She was instrumental in starting the Post Diploma programme in Nursing, Post Certificate B.Sc. Nursing and M.Sc. Nursing programme.
Besides her contribution to nursing within the institution, she introduced the semester system in the basic B.Sc. Nursing programme and was instrumental in initiating the Board of studies in Nursing in Madras University. She held the position of President of Trained Nurses Association of India and as the first Nurse President of Christian Medical Association (CMAI), President and Secretary of Board of Nursing education, South India Branch, Nurses league of CMAI. She had contributed immensely to nursing education in the Universities of Madras, Bombay, Kerala, Bangalore and in the Indian Nursing Council.
She retired from CMC in 1982 but continued to contribute to nursing education working in various capacities in mission hospitals. She was bestowed CMC’s Alumni Award in 2003 for her contributions to the Alumni Association and for the welfare and image of nurses in the society.
Ms. Aleyamma Kuruvilla was an eminent nurse educator, efficient administrator, authentic leader and developer of people. Her contributions brought immense value for the growth of nursing education in India. Humility, service and commitment are some of her outstanding characteristics that one observes from her life.