Dr Gerard Aranha – Mangalorean Star
True realization of dreams of success over the most dreaded disease known to mankind, ‘Cancer.’ We are proud to present Dr. Gerard Aranha as our Mangalorean Star for the month of March, 2005. To begin with, many in Chicago area Indians still remember Dr. Aranha on TV news channels giving daily progress reports of the successful oncology surgery on the Late Cardinal Bernardin of Chicago Diocese. When asked pressingly, “What was your feelings as you were performing several hours long surgery on such an authoritative, influential, spiritual as well as locally popular personality?” this is what Dr. Aranha had to say to us, “Yes, there was some pressure to operate on him, but it was a privilege indeed! However, the actual procedure was just a routine to me as any other thousands of patients that I have performed surgeries on for cancer. I make no difference in my treatment of well known or ordinary persons. I give my best to each surgery.” During his treatment Dr. Aranha got to know him very closely. Dr. Aranha says – “He is the man whom you get to know as soon as you meet him. Before he could ask him, Late Cardinal said that he would perform his daughter Caroline’s wedding ceremony. Had he lived, he would have had higher chances of qualifying to become the Pope.
Among the Mangalorean Catholic Community, in the Chicago and Minneapolis-St Paul area universities, and hospitals, there isn’t a single person who has not heard of Dr. Aranha. His articles can be found in several medical journals. He is a strong supporter of India Catholic Association of Chicago, since last 30 or more years. He is a mentor to many a youngsters in the Chicago Metropolitan area community. He is a Life Trustee of Fenwick High School in Oak Park, IL. and a past member of the Ray Graham Association for persons with disabilities. He and his wife Rose are members of the Children’s Home and Aid Society of Illinois. Dr. Aranha has served on the board of the American Cancer Society and he and Mrs. Rose are on the Executive Committee of the Annual Stritch School of Medicine Dinner. Dr. Aranha is a mentor and advisor to medical student’s at all the four levels of medical school.
Gerard Victor Aranha was born on December 5, 1943, in Bangalore. His father’s name is Michael E. Aranha and his mother is Greta Aranha. His father served in the Excise Division in Bombay and later was in the Bombay Police force from which he retired in 1972. He was highly instrumental in maintaining law and order in Bombay/Mumbai during the Indo Pak war, communal riots and especially during the Bombay Bandhs or union sponsored strikes. His mother was a homemaker but spent all her free time helping the poor especially through the Little Sisters of the Poor in Bangalore. During his school years, especially in the medical school, he was given the award of Best Outgoing Student Sportsman for the year 1967. In addition, he was the captain of the field hockey team for two years in a row.
Dr. Aranha came to the United States to train in surgery and did go back in 1977 after he finished his training to find a job in India. He nearly got one in Bombay and one in Bangalore, but they were not the type of cancer surgery he wanted to do. Therefore, he came back to the United States and then stayed here. At the present time, he is a Chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology at the Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Illinois, and Chief Officer of General Surgery Section and the Surgical Oncology Section at Hines VA Hospital, Hines, Illinois, USA.”
Mangalore has always been a special place for Dr. Aranha. Speaking about Mangalore many cherished memories were recollected. He remembers the many visits he made there mainly for weddings and the warmth of the people of Mangalore. His great grandfather Martin Pais was a well known merchant in Mangalore. Martin Pais had one of the biggest homes in Mangalore that he built and named Coronation Gardens in honor of the Queen’s Coronation. Martin Pais’ sons Fred, Basil and Edward and their families are held in special regard. This is what he has to say about his fond memories – “I also have many fond memories of Martin Pais’ daughters, Julia Pais, Lily Lobo, Lucy Mascarenhas and his grandmother Rose Mascarenhas. In addition I have an Aunt, Mercy Lobo, married to the late C.V. Lobo who lives in Urwa with her son Noel and his wife Jennifer. Finally, I have cherished memories of Milagres Church where I attended many a solemn occasions.”
In response to ‘who were your role models and their affect in your life’:
“My role models in life would be my parents who were sincere individuals and spent their time helping the poor. Another role model would be my grandmother on my mother’s side, Rose Mascarenhas, who lost her husband at a very young age but was able to bring up her 10 children and got them all into successful careers and marriages. A major influence in my life was one of my mother’s brothers, my uncle, Dr. Gerard Martin Mascarenhas, who was Chief of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at Bangalore University. He treated both those who were rich and those who were poor equally and spent most of his time, in fact, treating the poor at no cost because he worked in a government hospital. Outside of my immediate family, my role models have been those who have asked us to be of service to others, and they are President John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Mother Theresa, Mahatma Gandhi, and Abraham Lincoln.”
Dr. Aranha is married to the former Rosemary Clare Alvares. They got married on January 3, 1970, left India on January 10, 1970, and came to the US on January 13, 1970, and began to work on January 15, 1970, and have been working since. Mrs. Aranha has a master’s degree in social work and works as a social worker in the Maywood School District. Mrs. Aranha organized a fundraising event in Oak Brook in January 2005, and raised $3775.00 for the Tsunami Victims through the help of her family and friends. They have five children and three grandchildren. Their oldest child Caroline is married to Vikram Prabhu who is a Neurosurgeon at Loyola University Medical Center.. They have three sons David, Michael and John. Caroline is busy coping with the three boys under the age of 8 years. Their second child is Shawn, and he has a medical degree and is also pursuing politics. He works in the office of Mr. Patrick Quinn who is the current Lieutenant Governor of the State of Illinois. Their third child, Robert, is a civil engineer in the Navy and works in Washington, D.C. but lives in Alexandria, Virginia. Their next son, Matthew has finished a master’s degree in business administration with emphasis on health administration and health policy at the University of Illinois in Champaign and works for the Provena Health Systems. Finally the youngest, Elizabeth, is 15 years old and a sophomore at Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Illinois.
Dr. Aranha’s hobbies are few, but he likes reading and is an American Civil War enthusiast. He believes that the American Civil War was the pivotal point in American history because had not Lincoln kept the states together, the United States of America would not have been the preeminent power it is today in the world.
Dr. Aranha has five siblings: brother, Maurice Charles Aranha, who works for the Canadian government in Ottawa, Canada. Sister, Miriam is married to Godfrey Quadros and lives in Bangalore. Another sister, Barbara, who is married to Santosh Naidu and lives in Bangalore, is the head of the Department of English at Saint Joseph’s College in Bangalore. Brother David Aranha, lives and works in Bombay. Finally, his brother, Peter Joseph Aranha, works for the United Airlines in Elk Grove, Chicago area, Village, Illinois.
Dr. Aranha’s Message to the Mangalorean.com readers and youth:
“My message to the youth of the Mangalorean community is the importance of continuing our Indian traditions. It is very important that the youth grow up with good values and intention to complete a college education, work hard, raise a family, and most importantly staying together as husband and wife in a happy and fulfilled life. In addition, I believe that outside of the family, as I have said earlier, it is our duty as Christians to be of service to others. There is no greater reward than getting a “thank you” from those who are in need of your help.”
Dr. Aranha’s detailed profile: (For want of space, we condensed his 45 page bio-data as follows):
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
UNDERGRADUATE:
• 1953-1960 St. Joseph’s Boys High School, Bangalore, India
• 1961-1962 St. Joseph’s College, Bangalore, India
GRADUATE:
• 1962-1967 Bangalore Medical College MBBS, (M.D.), Bangalore, India
POSTGRADUATE:
• 1968-1969 Victoria Hospital – Rotating Internship, Bangalore, India
• 1970-1971 Christ Hospital – Rotating Internship, Oak Lawn, Illinois
• 1971-1975 Loyola University – Resident, Chief Resident, Hospital, Maywood, IL.
• 1975-1977 U. of Minnesota Fellow in Surgical Oncology, Minneapolis, MN
ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS AND POSITIONS
• 3/69-12/69 St. John’s Medical College Lecturer in Physiology, Bangalore, India
• 8/77-6/82 Loyola University Medical Assistant Professor of Surgery, Center, Maywood, Illinois
• 6/82-6/87 Loyola University Medical Associate Professor of Surgery, Center, Maywood, Illinois
• 1987- Loyola University Medical Professor of Surgery Center, Maywood, Illinois
• 1977- Hines VA Hospital Chief General Surgery Section, Chief Section of Surgical Oncology
• 1990- Loyola University Medical Chief Section of Surgical Oncology Center, Maywood, IL
• 1992-1998 Loyola University Medical Director Breast Care Center
• 1992-Present Center, Maywood, IL Associate Director, Cardinal, Bernardin Cancer Center
INVITED REVIEWER – JOURNALS
1. Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
2. Archives of Internal Medicine
3. Archives of Surgery
4. Southern Medical Journal
5. Surgery
6. Annals of Surgery
Dr. Aranha has received many awards and honors as follows:
• 1967 – Bangalore Medical College, Bangalore, India – Most Valuable Player, Field Hockey/Track
• 1975 – Kaiser Award–Chief Resident of the Year
• 1986 – Dr. N. Venkataraman Endowment Oration
• 1989 – Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society
• 1991 – Attending of the Year, Loyola Stritch School of Medicine – Medical Students
• 1992 – Community Service Award, Loyola University Medical Center Auxiliary
• 1993 – Community Service Award, Ray Graham Association for Persons with Disabilities
• 1994-5 – Attending of the Year, Department of Surgery – Surgical Residents
• 1995 – Chitrahar Broadcasting’s Special Recognition Award
• 1995 – St. Christopher Medal, Archdiocese of Chicago
• 1998 – Attending of the Year, Loyola Stritch School of Medicine – Medical Students
• 1998 – Thirtieth Annual Danley P. Slaughter Memorial Lecturer
• 1998 – Department of Veteran’s Affairs Service Award
• 1999 – India Catholic Association of America-President’s Millennium Leadership
Award
• 1999 – How to Find the Best Doctors: Chicago Metropolitan Area – Castle Connolly
Guide
• 2000 – St. Martin de Porres Award – Fenwick High School
• 2000 – Gold Apple Award for Clinical Excellence – Loyola Stritch Alumni Association
• 2001 – Atending of Year – Department of Surgery
• 2001 – Voted Top Doctor in Chicago, Illinois – Castle Connolly Guide
• 2002 – Attending of the Year, Department of Surgery
• 2002 – Voted Top Doctor, Chicago Metropolitan Area – Castle Connolly Guide
• 2003 – Visiting Professor, Rajiv Gandhi – University of Health Sciences, Karnataka, India
• 2003 – Distinguished Service Award – Association of V.A. Surgeons, Nashville, TN, May 4, 2003
• 2003 – MERC Visiting Professor, Grand Rapids Michigan, May 20, 21, 2003
• 2003 – Distinguished Service Award – Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 3579, Cancer Survivors and Volunteer Service, V.A. Hospital, Hines, IL
• 2003 – Service Award, Arts Alive Program, Visitation School, Elmhurst, IL
• 2003 – Voted Top Doctor, Chicago Metropolitan Area – Castle Connolly Guide
• 2004 – Distinguished Physician Award – Indian American Medical Association. Chicago, IL, November 6, 2004.
Dr. Aranha’s Publications are too many to name as there are total 108 so far. His published/presented Abstract and Poster Presentations are more than 53.
The two movies/video are:
1. Central (Middle Segment) Pancreatectomy – accepted to Cine´ Clinic – American College of Surgeons, October 2000.
2. Chairperson: Pancreas Video Session: Pancreas Preserving Surgery. 6th World Congress, International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association, Washington D.C., June 3, 2004.
Dr. Aranha has done 151 presentation so far, 83 – Regionally, 52 – Nationally and 16 – Internationally, including, Canada, India, Greece, Austria and Poland.
His Research Projects are:
LOYOLA UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
1. Participant Investigator – SWOG Grant CA 46282-10 – Ongoing.
2. Principal Investigator – Evaluation of Bowel Function After Total Abdominal Colectomy and Ileorectal Anastomosis, IRB # 5b – Completed.
3. Principal Investigator – The Sunbelt Melanoma Trial (SMT): A Multicenter Trial of Adjuvant Interferon Alfa-2B For Melanoma Patients With Early Lymph Node Metastasis Detected By Lymphatic Mapping and Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy, IRB # 9151 – Ongoing.
4. Participant Investigator – Phase IA Randomized, Multiple Dose Safety and Pharmacodynamic (Biomarker-Modulation) Study of LY353381 HCL, A Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM) In Women With Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer, IRB # 9008 – Ongoing.
5. Participant Investigator – Sentinel Node Identification and Analysis For Patients With Clinical T1 and T2 Breast Carcinoma, IRB # 9112 – Ongoing.
6. Participant Investigator – Prevention of Postoperative Thrombosis In Cancer Patients: A Randomized Double-Blind Trial of Subcutaneous NormifloTM Versus Unfractionated Heparin In Abdominal Surgery For Cancer – Completed.
7. Principal Investigator – Vapreotide in Pancreatic Surgery: A Double-Blind Placebo – Controlled Study of Vapreotide to Prevent Post-Surgical Complications in Patients Undergoing Elective
Pancreatic Resection.
HINES VA
1. Participant Investigator – Fecal Occult Blood Screening For the Early Detection of Colon and Rectal Carcinoma – 1977 – Present.
Dr. Aranha has 29 regional, national and International memberships in Professional and Scientific Societies. He has held numerous post in various societies, including, President, Vice President, Nominating Committee, Advisory Committee, Local Arrangements Committee, By Laws Committee, Awards Committees. Just to name a few – American Board of Surgery, American College of Surgeons, American Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (AHPBA), Association of VA Surgeons, Central Surgical Association, Central Surgical Society, Illinois Surgical Society, Midwest Surgical Association, Pancreas Club, Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract and Western Surgical Association.
Dr. Aranha has gone out of his way to help many Mangaloreans in providing specialized treatment and we salute you for your humble and simplistic nature in helping our Mangalorean community here in Chicago land area and throughout the US.
Mangalorean.com wishes Dr. Aranha all the very best in his future endeavors!
