Inspired by Dr. Sanjay Patel's father, Dr. Shankar Patel, who lived a simple life after earning his MBBS degree, the Mayflower Foundation was established. He believed healthcare was a right, not a transaction. He passed that belief to his sons.
In 2007, Dr. Sanjay Patel and his brother established the Mayflower Foundation in memory of their father - carrying forward an ethos that had shaped their entire understanding of what medicine should be. The foundation began by offering surgical care at minimal cost, at a time when access to quality gynaecological surgery in Ahmedabad was largely determined by a woman's ability to pay.
What started as a local initiative has grown into a programme that funds free and subsidised surgeries, supports medical education through fellowships and collaborative courses, and invests in clinical research that advances women's healthcare outcomes across India.
Dr. Smeet Patel - Dr. Sanjay's son - continues this legacy today. Three generations of the Patel family, united by the same founding principle that every woman deserves effective and personalised treatment, regardless of her background or financial means.
Read Full StoryMayflower Foundation Impact
90,000+
Lives Touched
22,000+
Surgeries Performed
3,000+
Professionals Educated
6+
Courses Offered
How We Help
The Mayflower Foundation works across four pillars - each one a direct reflection of the values Dr. Shankar Patel lived by.
Accessible Healthcare
Funding free and subsidised surgeries for women who cannot afford care, with a particular focus on endometriosis, gynaecological cancers, and infertility treatment.
Research
Supporting clinical research initiatives at Mayflower Women's Hospital, including research related to endometriosis surgery, foetal medicine and minimally invasive techniques.
Education
Supporting medical education through fellowship programmes, collaborative courses and sponsored education.
Innovation
Supporting the adoption of surgical technologies and techniques as part of the Foundation's work in women's healthcare.
Meet Our Founders
Dr. Smeet Patel
Dr. Sanjay Patel
Awards & Accreditations
Mayflower Research
The Foundation supports clinical research initiatives related to women's healthcare and the development of medical evidence.
Traumatic pseudoaneurysm of aorta: a story of survival
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Post-traumatic high vaginal stricture and hematocolpos impersonating vaginal septum in adolescent girl: a case report
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Maternal and fetal characteristics associated with meconium-stained amniotic fluid
Know MoreA comparative study of abdominal versus non-descent vaginal hysterectomy
Know MoreMayflower Education
At Mayflower, we believe that training the next generation of surgeons is as important as treating patients today. A gynaecologist trained in advanced laparoscopy at Mayflower will go on to treat hundreds of women over their career - extending the impact of every hour of teaching far beyond our own operating theatres.
Mayflower Women's Hospital is a training centre recognised by Gujarat University, and our educational programmes are conducted in collaboration with Storz, IAGE, and FOGSI.
Courses
Mayflower conducts its own course, CSEEMIG, along with other courses in collaboration with el Education, offering valuable education opportunities to students.
Learn MoreCollaboration
Mayflower partners with prestigious organisations under its Foundation, fostering impactful collaborations to advance healthcare.
Learn MoreFellowship
The fellowship programme provides stipend-supported training in minimally invasive surgery for gynaecologists. Programme details and accreditation information should be confirmed before publication.
Learn MoreSponsor
In 2023, the Foundation exceptionally sponsored the complete education of six students.
Learn MoreMayflower Surgeries
The Foundation supports access to surgical care for eligible women who need financial assistance. Support is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Range of Surgeries
The Foundation may provide financial support for eligible patients requiring care for conditions such as endometriosis, gynaecological cancers and infertility. The availability and level of support are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Support
The Mayflower Foundation's patient support programme may provide subsidised or fully funded surgical care to eligible women. Each request is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Diseases We Cure
Mayflower Foundation and Women's Healthcare
85,000+
Surgeries
100,000+
Happy Women
20,000+
Post-Infertility Surgeries
20+
Years of Care
Frequently Asked Questions
The Mayflower Foundation is a charitable initiative established in 2007 by Dr. Sanjay Patel in memory of his father, Dr. Shankar Patel - a physician who spent his life serving his community without charge. The Foundation funds free and subsidised surgical care for women who cannot afford it, supports medical education through fellowship programmes and collaborative training, and invests in clinical research that advances women's healthcare in India.
The Foundation was established by Dr. Sanjay Patel and his brother in 2007, inspired by the values of their father, Dr. Shankar Patel. The Foundation aims to support access to surgical care through financial assistance for eligible patients.
The Foundation funds free and subsidised surgeries for women who cannot access or afford care - including endometriosis surgery, gynaecological oncology procedures, infertility treatment, and minimally invasive gynaecological surgery. Each case is assessed individually. If you or someone you know needs support, contact us at care@mayflowerhospital.com or call +91 6352 800 850.
The Foundation supports Mayflower's fellowship programme - the only stipend-supported, university-accredited programme in India providing hands-on training in minimally invasive surgery for gynaecologists. It also funds the CSEEMIG course, collaborative training programmes with Johnson & Johnson, and in 2023, fully sponsored the education of six medical students. Mayflower is a training centre recognised by Gujarat University, IAGE, and FOGSI.
We welcome support from individuals, organisations, and the medical community who share our commitment to accessible women's healthcare. To learn more about how you can contribute - whether through donation, collaboration, or professional partnership - contact us at care@mayflowerhospital.com.