Prominent Hartford Heart Surgeon Publishes Inspirational Memoir

Saint Francis Hospital

HARTFORD, CT —A veteran heart surgeon at Hartford's Saint Francis Hospital has published an inspirational memoir of how he escaped the unrest near the India/Pakistan border to save lives in Connecticut.

Dr. Surendra K. Chawla recently released a memoir entitled, "When Persistence and Providence Joined Hands: One Cardiac Surgeon’s Journey."

Chawla recently hosted a book signing event at Saint Francis, which is located at 114 Woodland St., Hartford.

In his memoir, Chawla traces his life from the age of 5, when he escaped violent massacres during the partition of India and Pakistan.

He reflects on his childhood with his family, his challenging studies in India and the United States, and how he rose to success, helping to build a world-class cardiac facility in Hartford, where he also raised his family.

In his over 40 years at Saint Francis, Chawla was an "instrumental part of developing the hospital’s award-winning cardiac facility, the Hoffman Heart and Vascular Institute," according to Saint Francis.

He has been named a top doctor in Connecticut and, in 2019, he received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from Saint Francis.

Since moving to the greater Hartford area in 1971, Chawla and his wife, Ranjana, have been "dedicated philanthropists who have volunteered countless hours for a variety of community organizations."

Copies of his memoir are available for purchase at the auxiliary gift shop at Saint Francis or on Amazon.

All proceeds will benefit the hospital’s Enhancing Patient and Family Experience Initiative.

For more information on Chawla's memoir and to purchase a copy, click on this link.