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Dr. Johny Vakayil Francis
Consultant Paediatrician and NeonatologistOP Timing
Monday - Saturday
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM ; 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM ; 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
With over three decades of distinguished expertise in paediatrics and neonatology, Dr. Johny Vakayil Francis is a globally trained specialist dedicated to providing world-class care for newborns and children. Currently serving as a Consultant Paediatrician and Neonatologist at Medical Trust Hospital, Kochi since 2018, Dr. Johny brings a wealth of international experience from prestigious institutions such as Monash Medical Centre in Australia and King’s College Hospital in London. His exceptional skills in managing complex neonatal cases, including preterm infants as small as 500 grams, and his expertise in neonatal transport and ventilatory management make him a trusted name in the field.
A passionate educator, Dr. Johny serves as a mentor, teacher and guide for DNB students, fostering the next generation of medical professionals. With over 20 publications in renowned national and international journals, he is a thought leader in neonatology, contributing to advancements in the field through research and academic leadership.
MEDICAL QUALIFICATION
- MBBS - Government Medical College, Calicut, Kerala (1992)
- DCH (Diploma in Child Health) - Government Medical College, Calicut (1996)
- MD (Paediatrics) - Government Medical College, Calicut, Kerala, India (1997)
- Australian Medical Council (AMC) Licensing Exam Parts 1 & 2 Successfully Completed (2010)
- PGPN (Post Graduate Program in Paediatric Nutrition) - Boston University (2014)
Expertise
- Advanced Neonatal Care: Extensive experience in managing preterm infants and complex neonatal conditions, including surgical cases like diaphragmatic hernia, in Level III NICUs in Australia, the UK, and India.
- Neonatal Ventilation: Proficient in ventilatory management of critically ill newborns, honed through training in top-tier institutions.
- Neonatal Transport: Skilled in the safe transfer of critically ill neonates, with hands-on experience from the Newborn Emergency Transport Service (NETS), Victoria, Australia
- Paediatric Intensive Care: Adept at managing a wide range of paediatric emergencies in Level III PICUs.
- Gastroenterology in Paediatrics: Experienced in the primary care of paediatric gastroenterology patients.
DOCTOR'S EXPERIENCE
Dr. Johny’s illustrious career spans across three continents, blending cutting-edge medical practice with compassionate care:
- Consultant Paediatrician and Neonatologist, Medical Trust Hospital, Kochi (2018–Present): The Department of Paediatrics and Neonatology has a 10-bed Neonatal ICU and 8-bed Paediatric ICU. He oversees complex cases, mentors DNB students, and drives academic excellence.
- • Senior Paediatrician and Neonatologist, PVS Memorial Hospital, Kochi (2011–2018): Managed a Level III NICU and PICU, delivering high-quality care and coordinating advanced neonatal resuscitation programs.
- Clinical Fellow, New-born Services - Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria.( March 2006 to Feb 2011)
- Clinical Fellow, Monash Medical Centre, Australia (2006–2011): Worked under renowned mentors Prof. Victor Yu and Dr. Andrew Ramsden, mastering advanced neonatal care and transport with NETS.
- Clinical Fellow, King’s College Hospital, London (2004–2006): Collaborated with Prof. Ann Greenough, gaining expertise in ventilating critically ill newborns.
- Registrar in Neonatology, Monash Medical Centre, Australia (2002–2004): Developed hands-on skills in neonatal care and participated in NETS operations.
MEMBERSHIPS & CERTIFICATIONS
Dr. Johny Vakayil Francis is committed to staying at the forefront of medical advancements, with certifications including:
- IAP-NNF Neonatal Resuscitation (TOT) Program – First Golden Minute Project – Regional Training of Trainers course, completed certification as a trainer for Advanced NRP, Nagpur (2018)
- Advanced Neonatal Resuscitation Course (NRP) – PVS Memorial Hospital, Kochi (2014)
- NICU Crisis Resource Management – Southern Health Simulation and Skills Center, Melbourne (2010)
- Neonatal and Paediatric Ventilation – UK (2005)
- Advanced Paediatric Life Support (APLS) – Course: Successfully completed the APLS course conducted in Melbourne, on 25- 27th June, 2004
- BLS and PALS Provider Courses American Heart Association (2021)
AWARDS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Best Paper Award – Pedicon Kerala State Conference (2016) for Practicing Paediatrician.
- Best Paper Award – IAP Kerala State 26th Annual Conference, Kollam (1995).
- Organizing Secretary – Kerala Neocon 2019, Kochi.
- Published Author: Contributed over 20 articles to prestigious journals, including a chapter on “Use of Blood and Blood Products in Newborn” in Recent Advances in Neonatology 2020.
Academic Leadership
- Thesis Guide and Examiner: Mentors DNB students at Medical Trust Hospital, conducting regular examinations and guiding research.
- Course Coordinator: Has conducted numerous Basic and Advanced Neonatal Resuscitation Programs, training doctors and nurses over many parts of Kerala.
- Expert Panellist: Contributes to state and regional academic conferences, sharing insights on neonatal care and ethics.
- Secretary: Served as Secretary for NNF Ernakulam District Branch (2017–2019) and IAP Cochin Branch (2019–2020).
PUBLICATIONS
- Anaesthetic challenges in managing a case of type III Laryngo-Tracheo-Esophageal cleft. Journal of Anaesthesiology Clinical Pharmacology
- Successful management of severe tetanus in a 10 year old unvaccinated girl. Journal of Pediatric critical care (2024)
- Patent Ductus Arteriosus Ligation and Post-operative Hemodynamic Instability: Case Report and Framework for Enhanced Neonatal Care. Indian Journal of Paediatrics
- Respiratory and cardiovascular morbidity in the first 48 hours post-surgical ligation of the patent Ductus Arteriosus. Journal of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
- Dry Lung Syndrome: A Distinct Clinical Entity. Indian Journal of Paediatrics.
- Preoperative staging of patent Ductus Arteriosus correlates with postoperative hemodynamic instability. Archives of Disease in Childhood
- Use of Milrinone in the Management of Haemodynamic Instability following Duct Ligation. European Journal of Paediatrics
- Occlusive Aortic Arch Thrombus in a preterm neonate. Paediatric Critical Care Medicine
- Interpreting positive cultures of endotracheal aspirates: Factors associated with treatment decisions in ventilated neonates. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
- Hemodynamic alterations associated with Polycythemia and partial exchange transfusion. Journal of Perinatology
- Renal failure from obstructive Fungal Mycetoma, and Fungal Sepsis in an infant. Indian Paediatrics
- Immature Anterior Mediastinal Teratoma in a New-born. Journal of NNF Kerala –The New-born Emergencies.
- An unusual case of Para-esophageal Bronchogenic cyst. Journal of NNF Kerala –The New-born
- Tracheo-oesophageal Fistula – 12 year experience in a tertiary centre. Journal of NNF Kerala –The New-born.
- Images in Clinical Practice: “Infantile Cortical Hyperostosis” (Caffey’s Disease). Indian Paediatrics
- Clinical Images: Collodion Baby, Hallermann-Streiff Syndrome, Rubinstein Taybi Syndrome, Sirenomelia. Journal of NNF Kerala –The New-born
- Congenital Cystic Hygroma. Journal of NNF Kerala –The New-born