Our Team
Dr. Lavanya Thondavada
Founder & President
Dr. Lavanyakumari Thondavada is the founder and president of the Geriatric Society. She completed her M.B.B.S. in India. She did Diploma in Clinical Dermatology (UK), Masters in Dermatology (UK), Diploma in Medical Cosmetology (India). Also, she studied a Master’s in Gerontology (USA) and PhD in Gerontology. She completed a Fellowship in Diabetes and a Fellowship in Palliative Care Medicine (WHO), and she holds a Wound Care Physician Certification (USA). She has also obtained a Diploma in Business Management and an MBA in Hospital and Healthcare Management. She holds memberships in the T&T Dermatology Association, the Caribbean Dermatology Association (CDA), the British Geriatric Society (BGS), and the American Geriatric Society as a fellow (AGSF). She has been a doctor for 24 years, practicing dermatology for 13 years and gerontology for over 17 years. Additionally, she has spent five years managing a wound care clinic in the public sector. Dr. Thondavada’s experience in the Geriatric department, as well as facing her own struggles from losing her father, has fuelled her motivation in providing the much needed and utmost care to older adults across the nation.
Dr. Jacqueline Sabga
Vice-President
Dr. Jacqueline is a General Practitioner for past thirty years. She is passionate about Cancer care and the elderly; she is the Chairman of Promise House Trinidad and Tobago.
Fr. Martin Sirju
Executive Director
For thirty-two years, Fr. Martin Sirju has served as a diocesan priest in the Archdiocese of Port of Spain. He pursued a bachelor’s degree at UWI, St. Augustine in both theology and the natural sciences. He studied interfaith studies for a sabbatical year at Berkeley, California’s Jesuit School of Theology, taking classes in Christian, Islamic, and Hindu theology.
Fr. Sirju, a former associate editor of the weekly Archdiocesan newspaper Catholic News, has a long history of interest in interfaith conversation and inculturation. He serves on the board of the archdiocese’s pastoral education center, the Catholic Religious Education Development Institute (CREDI). Since 2008, he has also served as the representative of the Roman Catholic Church on the Inter Religious Organization (IRO). In addition, Fr. Sirju serves as Vicar General of the Port of Spain Archdiocese and Administrator of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Cathedral. He works with Project Grace, an international organization that promotes “neighbors helping neighbors” through community development.
Dr. Sambhasivan Kattamanchi
Secretary / Medical Director
Dr. Kattamanchi has been in the medical field for more than 25 years. In 1998, he completed his medical education and then pursued a Master’s in Gastroenterology, P.G. Diploma in Infectious Diseases, and trained in GI endoscopy. In his career, he held positions as a resident in Medicine, and Cardiology, an emergency physician, and a primary care physician. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he served as a Registrar for one of the national teams for three years and made his contributions to the people of Trinidad and Tobago. His inspiration and motivation led him to assist the GSTT in completing and fulfilling its mission of aiding older adults in continuing a healthy lifestyle despite aging.
Mr. Dindial Siewkumar
Director
Mr. Dindial Siewkumar has been a farmer for the past 51 years, and is currently practicing agriculture using a method called the Grow Box, which incorporates sawdust and red sand. He attended St. Augustine Senior Comprehensive School, where he achieved 7 O’ Level and 3 A’Level qualifications. He also completed a part-time course at UWI and obtained his degree in Agriculture, having been trained by a scientist named Dr. Jacob R. Mittleider from California. By doing his work, he is helping those in need.
Mrs. Claire Eunice Gittens
Public Relation Officer
Mrs. Claire Eunice Gittens, a UWI graduate in Social Work has spent over 32 years in the Social Service arena in Trinidad and Tobago, both in the Public and Non-government sectors. 22 of her 32 plus years in the public sector was as a Medical Social Worker, where she Worked in different medical specialties, Gerontology as well as with Cancer Patients. Initially as a junior officer, mainly doing clinical social work, Claire spent some nineteen years in Administration. She has served on many Cabinets appointed committees and was the country representative for the Inter- American Children’s Institute, a division of the OAS. Since retirement from the public service, Claire has continued to work in the NGO sector, being a founding member of both the Rape Crisis Society of Trinidad and Tobago and the Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Miss. Ackeyah Raphael
Student Volunteer Coordinator
I’m a recent graduate of St. Joseph’s Convent, P.O.S., and am pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering at the University of the West Indies. With the aspiration to one day become an aerospace engineer that utilises and implements environmentally sustainable practices and designs. Moreover, I am passionate about helping others. Hence, I’m a volunteer with the Geriatric Society of Trinidad and Tobago. I’ve always loved interacting with and helping people and the GSTT allows me to do that firsthand. I am able to hear and share stories, memories, giggles and experiences with others and most importantly make someone’s day a little brighter. I also take care of my great grandmother and my grandparents on a daily basis and know how difficult day to day activities can be for them and how difficult it is for them to get and ask for help. So if I have the ability to make someone’s day a little easier, a little sweeter and little happier, I’m going to do just that!
Miss. Jaswitha Kattamanchi
Social Media Operator
Growing up, I missed out on being close to my grandparents due to distance; most of our interactions were brief and virtual. However, the stories they shared and their struggles and experiences left a deep impression on me. Over the years, as I experienced the loss of my grandparents, I realized the value of supporting the elderly, especially those who may feel isolated or neglected. Through the GSTT, I now have the opportunity to connect with the seniors who need companionship and holistic care. My involvement in Volunteering and social media enable me to bridge the gap between the youth and the elderly in our community, contributing to enhancing the quality of life for older adults.