Dr. Sosamma Thomas – A Selfless Doctor of the Mar Thoma Church

Dr. Sosamma Thomas

Pages from History:- 11 May 1998

Dr. Sosamma Thomas (b.11 Jan 1905 d.11 May 1998)- Mazhukkettethu Kuriannoor – An Unknown Heroine of the Mar Thoma Church.

Dr. Sosamma Thomas was the daughter Kuriannoor Mazhukkettethu Thoma Varkey and Annamma (from Keezhukara Thenalil house). She was one among the first batch of students of the Nicholson Girl’s High School, Tiruvalla which was established in 1910. She was the first medical doctor from Kuriannoor. After her medical education she worked in various mission hospitals across mission fields in India that included Chittar Mission, and Palghat Mission of the CSI (Church of South India) Hospital in Bangalore. During her in stay Bangalore she was a strong supporter of the Hoskote Mission, Karnataka established in 1947.

Dr. Sosamma Thomas with Dr. Stanley Jones with her family members at her ancestral home in Kuriannoor, Kerala. Dr. Thomas is seen in the center holding a young child. (circa 1953)

The following text is taken from the book “From his majesty’s service to HIS MAJESTY’S SERVICE” article written by Mrs. Grace John daughter of the co-founder of Hoskote Mission.

Friends of the Ashram

Dr. Miss Thomas (Mazhukkeetethu House, Kurianoor) of Bangalore CSI Hospital – A great supporter of the Mission. Dr. Thomas was our family doctor. My mother had all the three deliveries and hysterectomy in CSI Hospital, Bangalore. Dr. Thomas was a strict person but her love and zeal for the Lord could accommodate all the needs of the people at the Hoskote Ashram. Night or day, she was there for us. Our childhood ailments and vaccinations were taken care by her. The village people also knew and respected this great doctor who would cure and care for them. CSI Hospital, Bangalore was instrumental in providing the medical care for all the Hoskote ashram people till the establishment of the Hoskote Mission Hospital in 1965.

She was a strong financial supporter of the Bible Society of India. After her retirement she returned to her ancestral home in Kuriannoor. She was the volunteer ”Camp Doctor” for all youth camps, retreats and student conferences of the Mar Thoma Church for many years. She was very active in the activities of the local parishes in Kuriannoor. She was called home on 11 May 1998 and was buried in the Mar Thoma Church Cemetery in Kuriannoor.

Leave a comment