* Queen Elizabeth II honours Dr Raghu Ram with OBE  – One of the highest ranking Orders of the British Empire award
* In over 100 years, Dr Raghu Ram is one of the youngest Surgeons of Indian origin conferred with an OBE

The  Board  of  Directors  of  KIMS  group  of  Hospitals  is  delighted  to  announce  that  Dr.  Raghu  Ram  Pillarisetti,   Director,   KIMS-USHALAKSHMI   Centre   for   Breast   Diseases   and   Founder   /   CEO   of   Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation, who is also the immediate past President of the Association of Surgeons of India has found place in the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II’s 2021 New year’s Honours list, which has just been published in the “London Gazette” – the of cial publication of the Crown. Instituted in 1917 by King George V, The Queen’s Honours are amongst the most prestigious awards worldwide.

At 54 years of age, Dr. Raghu Ram has achieved the rare distinction of becoming one of the youngest Surgeons of Indian origin in over 100 years to be honoured by the Queen with an OBE – Officer of the Most  Excellent  Order  of  the  British  Empire.  This  is  the  second  highest  ranking  Order  of  the  British  Empire award (excluding a knighthood/damehood) conferred in recognition of his outstanding services towards improving breast cancer care and surgical education in India and to UK/India relations.

The British Honours system aims to show gratitude publicly to those who have ‘gone the extra mile’ in their  service  and  who  stand  out  ‘head  and  shoulders’  above  others  in  their  distinction.  The  Queens  Honours, which is part of the British Honours system has a robust and thorough selection process. The “Honours Committee” produces the list, independently of the Government, before it is submitted to the Queen through the Prime Minister. As ‘fountain of honour’ in the UK, Her Majesty, The Queen has the sole right of conferring titles of honour on deserving people from all walks of life, in public recognition of their outstanding merit, exceptional service or bravery.

Some  of  the  well  known  names  who  received  an  OBE  in  the  recent  times  include  Om  Puri  (Actor),  Prof. Michael Griffin – President, The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, David Beckham (Sports), Ben   Stokes   (Vice   captain,   England’s   cricket   team),   Victoria   Beckham   (Fashion),   JK   Rowling   (Author-Harry Potter series), Kiera Knightley (Actor), Damon Albarn (Musician) and others.

Speaking on this happy occasion, Dr Raghu Ram Pillarisetti said
“It felt surreal and was at loss for words when I was informed that Her Majesty, the Queen may graciously appoint  me  as  an  Of cer  of  the  Most  Excellent  Order  of  the  British  Empire.  I  am  deeply  grateful  and  incredibly  humbled  to  accept  this  high  honour  conferred  by  Her  Majesty,  the  Queen.  For  well  over  a  decade, I have strived to replicate the best of British practices in my motherland & feel immensely proud to be a ‘living bridge’ between the UK and India.”

“I dedicate this astonishing moment and tremendous recognition to my family who stood rock solid by me, and equally, to my patients who have given me the unique privilege to be involved in their care. I owe a deep sense of gratitude to the Board of Directors of KIMS Hospitals who gave me a free hand to translate my  vision  into  reality  and  to  my  Colleagues  at  KIMS-USHALAKSHMI  Centre  for  Breast  Diseases  &  Ushalakshmi  Breast  Cancer  Foundation  for  their  extraordinary  contribution  to  ensure  the  best  possible  care to my patients. The Queen’s honour has well and truly added re in my belly to make an even greater impact to further improve breast healthcare in Mother India – the country that I was born and raised.”

Dr B. Bhaskar Rao, Managing Director, KIMS group of Hospitals stated…. “Raghu has achieved at a very young age what some may take a lifetime to achieve. When he undertakes anything, he does it with  100%  commitment  and  dedication.  Having  spent  ten  years  in  the  United  Kingdom,  shortly  before  relocating  to  India,  he  met  me  to  present  his  dream  of  improving  Breast  healthcare  in  India.  I  was  impressed with his bold time bound vision that he presented to me. So, I gave him an opportunity to unfold his dreams. Today, I am very proud of the fact that he has been working diligently with lazer sharp focus over the past 13 years and delivered much more than he promised me when he met me rst time in July 2007. Raghu not only established South Asia’s very rst comprehensive Breast Centre at KIMS, he also established Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation – a Breast cancer Charity that has been championing a  number  of  unique  initiatives  towards  empowering  people  and  creating  the  much  needed  awareness  about the importance  of  early  detection  of  breast  cancer.  To  do  this  in  a  country  where  the  disease  is  considered to be a “taboo” even in urban India, has been a tremendous achievement.”

A world renowned Surgeon, who is also one of the youngest recipients of the prestigious Padma Shri &Dr  BC  Roy  National  awards  conferred  by  the  Hon’ble  President  of  India  in  2015  &  2016  respectively,Dr.  Raghu  Ram  scaled  new  heights  in  his  surgical  career  over  the  past  25  years,  since  he  quali ed  to  become a Surgeon in 1995.

Over the past 13 years, he played a pivotal role in significantly improving breast cancer care in India. He  established  South  Asia’s’   rst  dedicated  comprehensive  Breast  Health  Centre,  founded  a  breast  cancer  charity  to  raise  awareness  about  the  importance  of  early  detection,  implemented  a  population  based Breast Cancer Screening Programme in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, which has saved many lives and has been the driving force behind the formation of The Association of Breast Surgeons of India, a dedicated organization that brings together surgeons practicing the art & science of breast surgery under one  platform.  He  championed  several  life  transforming  initiatives  in  his  adopted  village,  Ibrahimpur  through personal philanthropy in addition to raising money & spearheading a major pan India initiative to procure and distribute the much needed PPEs to healthcare workers in response to the COVID 19 crisis.

His distinguished academic track record, love for his motherland & passion for social service are very strong characteristics of the Man. He has been an advocate of best practices in his chosen field, coupled with a human touch and many altruistic values. His significant contribution towards improving breast healthcare and surgical education in India through his strong links with the United Kingdom, have been his trademarks.