Obituary
Dr. Annapurni Jayam Trouth, born on October 10, 1940, in Palghat, Kerala, India, passed away peacefully on September 13, 2025, in Olney, Maryland, at the age of 84, surrounded by her loving family.
Dr. Trouth received her MBBS, and MD (Pediatrics) from Seth G.S. Medical College, Bombay University, before moving to the United States in 1969 as a young resident at Harlem Hospital Center. She continued her training in Pediatric Neurology at Columbia Presbyterian, Bellevue, and New York University Medical Center, and in 1974 joined Howard University Hospital as an Assistant Professor. This marked the beginning of a remarkable 43-year career of service, teaching, and leadership at Howard.
In 1997, she became Chair of Neurology and Director of Pediatric Neurology, roles she held with distinction for more than two decades. She was one of the few U.S. physicians board-certified in both Pediatrics and Neurology, and notably, the first woman of Indian origin to chair Howard’s Department of Neurology. She established the department’s Stroke Program and trained hundreds of students, residents, and faculty, leaving an enduring legacy of mentorship.
Her scholarly contributions were prolific, over 70 research publications, 130 presentations, 6 book chapters and reviews, more than a dozen grants, and leadership in numerous committees and professional societies. She received many awards in recognition of her excellence, her service, and her pioneering role in medicine.
Yet beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Trouth’s life was defined by resilience, generosity, and joy. She came to America as a young single woman with few resources, building a foundation that allowed her family to follow and thrive. She found joy in family gatherings, laughter, travel, culture, and yoga, and she gave unstintingly of her time, wisdom, and care to colleagues, students, friends, and loved ones.
She was the daughter of the late Chokkanathapuram Swaminathan Vasudevan and Parvati Vasudevan, the beloved wife of the late Cloyd Ovid Trouth, and sister of the late Appradiswar Vasudevan Balan. She is survived by her brother Venkatram Vasudevan; her children, Frances Trouth and Cloyd Trouth; her grandchildren, Chiamara Lawrence, Michael Lawrence, and Barrington Trouth; and many other dear relatives and friends.
Dr. Jayam Trouth will be remembered not only for her groundbreaking contributions to medicine, but also for her strength, compassion, and ever-present smile. May her soul rest in peace, reunited with the divine.