Prof (Dr) Sivapatham Vittal is popularly known as “The Father of Endocrine Surgery” in India. He was instrumental in creating the specialty of Endocrine Surgery at Madras Medical College, the first such Department in India and played a pivotal role in the development of Endocrine Surgery in several other institutions in India. He is a renowned Endocrine Surgeon both in India and internationally. Born in August 30, 1941, Prof (Dr) Vittal had both his undergraduate and postgraduate training in Madras Medical College receiving his MS from Madras University, FRCS from Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. He won several   prizes and gold medals both during his undergraduate and postgraduate period. 

Formerly Hony. Secretary and Past President of The Association of Surgeons of India and also the Past President of the International College of Surgeons, Indian Section, he is the Surgical Tutor for the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and also a member of British Association of Endocrine Surgeons.  He has also served as the Chairman of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Indian Chapter. Prof S Vittal has delivered several prestigious Orations in several states in India and abroad.  He was invited to deliver the “BJS Oration” in 2003 by the British Association of Endocrine Surgeons in the U.K.  He is an eminent teacher for more than 40 years and has edited and published a book on “ Surgical Endocrinology”  He has been invited to join the Advisory Board of the prestigious British Journal of Surgery, International and Indian Journal of Surgery.

Prof S Vittal was a recipient of the prestigious “ Dr B C Roy National Award” for the year 1995  for developing the specialty of Surgical Endocrinology in India.  He was awarded the “ Tamil Nadu Scientist Award” for the year 1998 by the Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology, Govt of Tamil Nadu.  In 2005 he was awarded “ Dr B M Sundaravadanam Best Teacher Award” by Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry Chapter of Association of Surgeons of India.  In the same year, he was decorated with the prestigious “ Overseas Gold Medal” by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh for his pioneering work in the field of Surgery and for his contribution to the College. 

In 2007, he was awarded “ Teachers Teacher Award”  on the occasion of Doctors Day for his dedicated teaching to the Medical Community. He delivered the prestigious Dr Ginde Oration of the International College of Surgeons in 2008.  In 2010  he was honoured with the “Lifetime Achievement Award” by the Chief Minister of TamilNadu on the occasion of 175th year celebrations of The Madras Medical College. In the very same year, he was honoured with Fellowship of Royal College of Surgeons of England by invitation an honour bestowed to select few. The Government of India decorated him with prestigious Padma Shri award one of the highest civilian awards in 2011 for his yeoman service in the field of Medicine

His scholarship, erudition combined with humility has endeared him to everyone in the medical field.  The Indian Association of Endocrine Surgeons, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry Chapter of Association of Surgeons of India and Chennai City Branch of the Association of Surgeons of India have fittingly instituted Orations in his name. Apart from the fact that he is a reputed surgeon, his social commitment is great. He was a Rotarian and has done very many social services to alleviate the sufferings of the poor and underprivileged.