Sister Jean Rose Becomes First Nun Appointed as Medical Officer in Kerala Government Hospital

Marayoor, February 16, 2025 – Sister Jean Rose, a member of the Sisters of the Destitute, has made history as the first Catholic nun to be appointed as a medical officer in a Kerala government hospital.  

According to Voice of Nuns, an initiative by the Kerala Conference of Major Superiors and the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council Jagratha Commission, Sister Rose has become the first nun to serve in such a role in the southern Indian state.  

Born as Rosamma Thomas, Sister Rose completed her MBBS and postgraduate studies in anaesthesia at St. John’s Medical College in Bengaluru. She dedicated over a decade of service at a Church-run hospital in Marayoor, a remote village with a significant tribal population.  

After clearing the Kerala Public Service Commission examination, she received her first government posting at Kattappana Taluk Hospital two years ago. Later, she sought a transfer to the Marayoor Family Health Centre, where she had previously worked during her MBBS training and National Health Mission service.  

The Voice of Nuns Facebook page highlighted that she specifically requested the opportunity to serve tribal and underprivileged communities in Marayoor. “As part of a community that works for the destitute, I prefer to serve the poor and underprivileged,” she told Press Trust of India (PTI).  

Sister Rose, who completed her schooling in Chettuthodu near Pala in Kottayam district, actively participated in charitable services from a young age. She is the daughter of Mukalel Thomas and Rosamma of Pala, now settled in Rajakumari, Idukki. Her appointment marks a milestone for Catholic nuns in healthcare, reflecting her dedication to serving the underprivileged with compassion.