Dr. M.J. Arunkumar: A Seasoned Healthpreneur Leading a New Era of Neurosurgery with Compassion and Precision

Dr. M.J. Arunkumar: A Seasoned Healthpreneur Leading a New Era of Neurosurgery with Compassion and Precision

Dr. M.J. Arunkumar

Dr. M.J. Arunkumar | Hannah Joseph Hospital

“What began as a commitment to my community has transformed into a lifelong mission.”

Our passion for showcasing this best-in-class story of entrepreneurship, combined with innovation and purpose, has inspired us to feature Hannah Joseph Hospital at the forefront of this month’s edition. The story of Hannah Joseph Hospital began in the heart of the mesmerizing city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, where the vision of providing exceptional neurosurgery services to Southern Tamil Nadu started gaining momentum. The esteemed Founder Chairman Dr. M.J. Arunkumar, a highly experienced neurosurgeon, envisioned delivering excellence in neurosciences and accident & trauma care in Tier II cities.

Our editorial team had the opportunity to share the platform with none other than Dr. M.J. Arunkumar for a personal interaction and get to closely understand his transformative style of leadership. We have poured in our sincere efforts in perfectly capturing the dignitary’s words into this editorial release. We are elated to feature Dr. M.J. Arunkumar’s story under the edition, “The 10 Most Visionary Healthcare Leaders to Watch in 2025.”

The Luminary Behind HJH: Dr. M.J. Arunkumar

Dr. Arunkumar’s story begins at the prestigious Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, where he pursued his undergraduate medical education. After earning his MCh and DNB in Neurosurgery from CMC Vellore, he began his career as a consultant at the same institute before moving to Madurai in 2000. During his years of medical practice at CMC, he imbibed the importance of precision and empathy.

  • In 2015, he became the first medical professional to modernize neurosurgery in the southern part of Tamil Nadu with the introduction of the German-built high-end neurosurgical microscope, Carl Zeiss Pentero 900, featuring tumor fluorescence technology and intraoperative angiography (ICG Flow 800) for neurovascular surgeries
  • Dr. Arunkumar also introduced ‘Brain and Spine Neuro Navigation Technology by BrainLab, Germany,’ to the city of Madurai for the first time in 2016
  • In July 2021, he and his team of interventional neuroradiologists successfully performed an endovascular intervention for brain aneurysm treatment using ‘Silk Vista-FD’ for the first time in South India
  • Continuing his invaluable achievements, in 2023, Dr. Arunkumar had the honor of receiving the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Inspiration Award for ‘Most Accomplished Neurosurgeon in Southern India’ at the Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi
  • The hospital became a public limited company in July 2022 under his leadership

These are just a few of his milestones in such a profoundly extensive career, more of which will unfold in the upcoming pages!

Humble Beginnings Destined to Lead by Example

The inception story began when Dr. Arunkumar established the Department of Neurological Sciences at Apollo Hospital, Madurai, in 2000, where he served as a consultant neurosurgeon for eight years. During this time, Dr. Arunkumar realized the pressing need for a comprehensive institute for neurosciences equipped with ultra-modern technology. His passion inspired him to embrace the role of a healthpreneur. Consequently, he left the Apollo group and founded Hannah Joseph Hospital in 2008, naming it in memory of his beloved grandmother, Shrimathi Hannah Joseph. He is married to Dr. Kavitha Fenn Arunkumar, a Psychiatrist who also serves as the Executive Director of the hospital. Since HJH’s inception, she has been a pillar of strength, ensuring excellence in care through her dual role.

The hospital’s journey began as a modest 40-bed Neurosciences and Trauma Center, equipped with three intensive care units, twin operating theatres and a high-speed CT scanner. Over the years, Hannah Joseph Hospital has expanded into a sprawling 150-bed facility featuring state-of-the-art infrastructure, including a hybrid neuro-cardiac cath lab, a 1.5 Tesla MRI unit and advanced operating theatres outfitted with cutting-edge neurosurgical technology.

In 2020, a groundbreaking leap led to the relocation of the hospital to a new, centrally air-conditioned campus spanning two acres near Madurai Airport. This modern facility integrates departments for neurosciences, cardiac sciences, orthopaedics and traumatology, delivering comprehensive healthcare under one roof. Hannah Joseph Hospital also earned full NABH and NABL accreditation in 2023, underscoring its commitment to quality and safety. Continuing further, the hospital was ranked among the top 20 neuroscience centers in South India by the Times of India in 2024.

Stellar Characteristics of Hannah Joseph Hospital

The hospital is undoubtedly one of the finest high-tech super specialty hospitals for neurosciences and trauma in India. It has continually incorporated all facilities for performing the most complex neurological surgeries. Briefly walking our readers through the facilities:

  • Neuro ICUs featuring 60 beds, ventilators, ICP monitors, dialysis (CRRT) and ECMO backup. It also boasts of a digital MRI system from Philips, a hybrid neuro-cardiac cath lab, a 32-slice CT scanner and digital radiography from Siemens
  • Five operation theaters with laminar airflow catering to neurosurgery, cardio-thoracic surgery, orthopedic surgery and trauma surgeries
  • IONM (Intra Operative Neuro Monitoring) devices for brain and spinal cord monitoring during surgeries on these vital structures, in addition to the most advanced Pentero 900 Microscope by Carl Zeiss, Germany, which has fluorescence technology to identify and isolate brain tumors
  • Intraoperative ICG color video angiography flow 800 system for facilitating surgeries on aneurysms, AVMs and other vascular malformations of the brain
  • The hospital also incorporates a neuro-navigation system from Brainlab, Germany, for guided surgeries for complex brain tumors and spine fracture stabilizations and fixations
  • In 2023, the hospital introduced a six-year Direct DNB Neurosurgery program for post-MBBS graduates, making it a destination for aspiring neurosurgeons
  • Additionally, the hospital collaborates with the Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons of India (AOMSI), offering fellowships in craniofacial trauma for the last 8 years
  • To conclude, HJH has an ardent team of the best-trained neurosurgeons, neurologists, neuroanesthesiologists, interventional neuroradiologists and specialists in neurorehabilitation who take care of the neuro patients with utmost precision

Patient Satisfaction is the Primary Focus

The hospital is particular about providing comprehensive care to all patients requiring neurosurgical care, including brain and spine surgeries (tumor removal, aneurysm repair, spinal fixations, etc.) and trauma care (head/spine injuries). For the entire team, patient satisfaction is paramount and each patient is given personalized care under state-of-the-art technology, skilled professionals, comprehensive pre- and post-operative care and a supportive hospital environment.

“Patient-centered care is key to healthcare sustainability. Satisfied patients become our best advocates. Providing excellent care, comprehensive infrastructure and all necessary facilities under one roof ensures patients don’t need to seek treatment elsewhere. Similarly, investing in advanced equipment and facilities attracts and retains top talent, further contributing to sustainability. Our growth from 15 employees in 2008 to 380 demonstrates this commitment to exceptional care and continuous evolution to meet the needs of both patients and staff,” says Dr. M.J. Arunkumar.

In continuation, he says, “The best outcomes are achieved when futuristic technology is combined with compassionate care. But listening to their concerns and guiding them through treatment with empathy is as important as the surgery itself. This holistic approach extends beyond medical care. The hospital strives to create a supportive environment for patients and their families so that their recovery becomes speedy from both the physical as well as the emotional perspective.”

Adapting With the Technological Innovations for the Future

Another defining feature of Hannah Joseph Hospital is its commitment to adopting the latest technological advancements brewing in the medical field. In lieu of this, in September 2024, the hospital introduced the BrainLab Fibertracking Navigation 3.0 version, a revolutionary AI-enabled system that provides unparalleled precision in brain tumor surgeries for the first time in India and South Asia. The technology uses real-time Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) to map critical neural pathways, ensuring maximal tumor removal while preserving vital functions like speech, movement and memory.

“This is truly revolutionary in the field of neurosurgery. With such brilliant technology in power, the outcomes that were once considered impossible are now rare and we are grateful for this. Now we will be more equipped than ever before to offer patients fast recovery and an improved quality of life. These advancements have positioned Hannah Joseph Hospital as a leader in neurosurgical care, not just in Tamil Nadu but across India” – from the desk of Dr. M.J. Arunkumar.

The Future Outlook: Quality and Care-Driven Neurosurgical Services for All

Hannah Joseph Hospital has made significant moves in bridging the gap between urban and rural India. This mission has always driven the HJH team to deliver world-class neurosurgical services, with plans to expand into more Tier II and metropolitan cities in the future. The institution has empowered thousands of patients who would have otherwise needed to travel to metropolitan centers to access these highly advanced and specialized medical services.

  • HJH is also gearing up for the launch of a dedicated neuro-oncology and radiation therapy center in its premises by the end of this year. With the establishment of this facility, an integrated envelope comprising advanced diagnostic imaging, surgical interventions and post-operative care will be easily accessible to the patients with brain and spinal tumors
  • To fuel this upcoming trajectory of expansion, HJH is actively working towards raising funds through an Initial Public Offering (IPO). This strategic move aims to strengthen its financial foundation and enable further investments in both technology and infrastructure

As HJH enters 2025 and the next phase of growth, its mission remains steadfast, aiming to set a new standard of care for patients in Southern Tamil Nadu and beyond. For Dr. Arunkumar and his team, this is just the beginning of their journey and many new innovations are still in the pipeline!

With this we conclude this editorial and hope that our readers felt inspired from the core after reading Dr. M.J. Arunkumar’s journey towards a brighter, healthier future for all. For more information you can log on to : www.hannahjosephhospital.com