The Department of Respiratory Medicine is dedicated to the care of patients with respiratory illnesses and disorders affecting breathing. Established in the year 2000 at the Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore main campus, the department has been providing comprehensive respiratory care to a wide spectrum of patients. In 2020, the department was reorganized into two distinct entities—Respiratory Medicine and Pulmonary Medicine.
The Department of Respiratory Medicine continues to function at the main Vellore campus, delivering clinical services, academic training, and research in respiratory sciences.
The department is currently led by Dr. Richa Gupta, Professor, whose leadership and mentorship continue to guide junior faculty members and postgraduate trainees. In keeping with the core mission of Christian Medical College, the department places strong emphasis on excellence in education, training, and patient-centred care.
The department offers postgraduate and undergraduate academic programs, including the MD Respiratory Medicine program, initiated in 2011 with an annual intake of four students, and the BSc Respiratory Technology (RT) program, started in 2014 with an annual intake of six students. Both programs are affiliated with The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University.
Clinically, the department is well equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including an advanced Pulmonary Function Testing Laboratory, advanced bronchoscopy and thoracoscopy suites, Sleep Laboratory, Allergy and Immunology Laboratory, Pulmonary Rehabilitation Unit, inpatient wards, and High Dependency Services.
In addition to comprehensive outpatient and inpatient care, the department runs several specialized clinics, including clinics for Sleep Disorders (SLDC), Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD), Smoking Cessation, and Allergy and Asthma, ensuring holistic and specialized respiratory care.
