T. S. Kanaka facts for kids

Dr. T. S. Kanaka (born March 31, 1932 – died November 14, 2018) was an amazing doctor from India. She made history as Asia's very first female neurosurgeon. A neurosurgeon is a special doctor who performs operations on the brain and nervous system.

Dr. Kanaka was also one of the first few women in the entire world to become a neurosurgeon. She was a pioneer, meaning she was one of the first to do many important things in her field. For example, she was the first in India to use tiny devices called chronic electrode implants in the brain. She also started a special kind of brain surgery called deep brain stimulation way back in 1975.

She helped develop a new type of surgery called functional neurosurgery in the 1960s and 1970s. She was also recognized for her important work in stereotactic surgery, which is a very precise way to operate on the brain. Dr. Kanaka received a Lifetime Achievement Award for all her contributions to medicine.

Her Early Life and Schooling

Kanaka was one of eight children. She was born in Chennai, a city in India. Her father was a principal and worked in public education.

Even though she was interested in spiritual studies, Kanaka decided to study medicine. She earned her first medical degree (Bachelor of Medicine) in 1954. Then, she completed her Master of Surgery degree in general surgery in 1963.

In 1968, she earned another Master of Surgery degree, this time specializing in Neurosurgery. She even went on to get a PhD in 1972, where she studied how stereotactic surgery could help people with cerebral palsy. After working as a surgeon for over 20 years, she went back to school in 1983 to get a Diploma in Higher Education.

Her Amazing Career

Dr. Kanaka was one of the first female neurosurgeons in the world. She earned her special degree in neurosurgery in March 1968. Before her, only a few other women, like Diana Beck and Aysima Altinok, had achieved this.

In 1960, when a new type of brain surgery called stereotaxy started in Chennai, Dr. Kanaka was part of the team that performed the first of these procedures in India.

She even served as an officer in the Indian Army during the 1962-1963 Sino-Indian War. For most of her career, she worked at the Government General Hospital. She also taught at the Madras Medical College and other hospitals. Dr. Kanaka worked with many groups to help provide healthcare to people who couldn't afford it.

In 1973, she traveled to Tokyo, Japan, to learn more about stereotaxic procedures. During this time, she studied how to use special devices for pain management and other medical needs.

Dr. Kanaka retired from surgery in 1990. However, she continued to offer her advice and help to patients. She chose not to open a private practice, staying true to her goal of helping everyone.

In 1996, she became the Honorary President of the Asian Women's Neurosurgical Association. This is when she was officially recognized as Asia's first female neurosurgeon. She used her own money to build a hospital, named after her parents, called the Sri Santhanakrishna Padmavathi Health Care and Research Foundation. This hospital offers free healthcare to people in need. She passed away on November 14, 2018, at the age of 86.

A Life of Giving Back

After Dr. Kanaka earned her Master of Surgery degree, her younger brother became very ill and passed away at a young age. This sad event made Kanaka decide not to get married. Instead, she chose to dedicate her life to medicine and helping patients.

As a pioneering woman in a field mostly dominated by men, Dr. Kanaka faced some challenges. Some people doubted her medical skills and didn't always choose her for surgical procedures. She had to work extra hard to prove herself.

Dr. Kanaka was also listed in the Limca Book of Records for donating blood more times than anyone else. As of 2004, she had donated blood an amazing 139 times! This shows how much she cared about helping others.