Dr. P. Raghu Ram – KIMS – USHALAKSHMI Centre for Breast Diseases

Dr. Raghu Ram Pillarisetti

Founding Director & Consultant Surgeon, KIMS-USHALAKSHMI Centre For Breast Diseases

Introduction

A world-renowned Surgeon, Dr. Raghu Ram obtained structured Higher Surgical Training and Subspecialty training in Oncoplastic Breast Surgery at various centres of excellence in the United Kingdom (1999-2007). He relocated to India in 2007 to care for his mother who was diagnosed with breast cancer and serve his motherland. Over the past 19 years, he revolutionised breast cancer care & Surgical Education in the Country through a series of unique initiatives.

Breast Centre Concept

KIMS-USHALAKSHMI Centre for Breast Diseases (South Asia’s First comprehensive Breast Centre) that he established in Hyderabad brought about a revolutionary change in the way ‘Breast Centre’ is understood in the Subcontinent. This has inspired genesis of several such dedicated Breast Centres in the Country over the past decade, thus paving the path to standardize Breast Healthcare in India.

Breast Cancer Foundation

Under auspices of Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation, a Breast Cancer Charity that he established in his mother’s name, well over 1000 breast cancer awareness Programmes were held in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. He secured two Guinness World Records (March 2025) for conducting “The Largest Breast Cancer awareness lesson” and “Highest views of a Breast Cancer awareness Lesson in 24 hours on You Tube”. Inspired by Prime Minister of India’s digital India dream, he developed World’s First Breast Health Mobile App in English & 11 languages, making women across India aware about importance of early detection in a country where the subject is considered to be a ‘taboo’ (2017). ‘PINK CONNEXION’ – South Asia’s first quarterly Breast health Publication, which he launched in 2015 is spreading message of Hope & Courage in the fight against Breast Cancer. These innovative initiatives have helped empower & save scores of lives through “Early Detection”. Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India commended his pioneering work & started to follow him on X platform (Twitter).

Breast Cancer Screening

Subsequent to implementing South Asia’s largest population based Breast Cancer Screening Programme by way of Clinical Breast Examination (CBE) in Telangana & Andhra Pradesh (2012 – 2016), he was invited to be part of Technical Advisory Group set up by Ministry of Health, Govt. of India (2016), which approved CBE as a population based screening tool. This Programme is currently being rolled out nationwide through Govt. of India’s National Health Mission since 2018.

Academics & Surgical Education

During his Presidential term (2015 – 2017) at The Association of Breast Surgeons of India (ABSI), he initiated ‘ABSI-UK Fellowship Programme’ which enabled Indian trainees to obtain subspecialty training at centres of excellence in the UK. ‘ABSI Training Module’ launched by him achieved the objective of imparting standardized Breast cancer care in tier 2 smaller towns all over India. His proposal to introduce “Fellowship in Breast Surgery” to train Breast Surgeons across the Country has been approved by Govt. of India’s National Board of Examinations (June 2025).

He is one of the youngest Surgeons in 88 years history of Association of Surgeons of India (world’s second largest Surgical organization) to have served as its President (2020). With Education & Training as his top priorities, he played a pivotal role in fostering academic partnerships & ‘Exchange Fellowships’ with Surgical Organisations around the world. He galvanised substantial financial support during COVID pandemic to procure PPEs for surgical fraternity across the nation, thus saving many lives.

He has been convening the prestigious Intercollegiate Final MRCS Examinations annually on behalf of Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh & England, which enabled over 2000 trainees to pass the Examination in India without needing to travel to the UK. He is currently International Surgical Advisor for Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Glasgow and has been providing strategic direction to the College’s academic activities in India. Most recently, he achieved the rare distinction to become the first practicing Surgeon from India to be elected to serve on the apex Governing Council of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow (2025 – 2028).

Philanthropy

In 2015, he adopted Ibrahimpur, a remote village in Telangana where he championed a number of life transforming initiatives in the hamlet through a generous contribution, which attracted national attention & appreciation. In addition to making significant philanthropic contribution towards various charitable initiatives, he funded Anti HER2 therapy (costliest component of Breast Cancer Care) for over 200 underprivileged breast cancer patients over the past decade.

Major National & International honours

He was conferred Padma Shri (2015) – one of the highest civilian awards of the land, Dr. B. C. Roy National award (2017) – highest recognition for a doctor practicing Medicine in India & OBE (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of British Empire – 2021) – second highest-ranking British Empire award (excluding Knighthood). He is the only Surgeon to have been conferred Honorary Fellowships from eight renowned Surgical Colleges from all over the world.

Conclusion

His love for motherland, distinguished academic track record and passion for social service are his strong characteristics. He has been a zealous advocate of best practices in his chosen field, combining them with a human touch and strong altruistic values. His significant contribution towards improving breast cancer care and surgical education in India through his strong links with United Kingdom have been his trademarks, thus serving as a #LivingBridge between the two nations.