Professor Raghunadharao Digumarti, MD, DM, FRCP, FACP
Visionary Oncologist, Clinical Research Pioneer & Institution Builder
A preeminent medical oncologist and transformative leader with over four decades dedicated to advancing cancer care, clinical research, and medical education in India. Professor Digumarti is renowned for founding and directing comprehensive cancer hospitals, establishing pioneering clinical trial units, and shaping national oncology policy. His career is defined by a relentless commitment to building sustainable cancer care infrastructure and fostering the next generation of oncologists.
Professional Leadership
- Professor of Medical Oncology, MNJ Institute of Oncology and Regional Cancer Centre, Hyderabad
- Founder Director, Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Visakhapatnam
- Professor & Head, Department of Medical Oncology, Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), Hyderabad
- Chief Medical Oncologist, KIMS ICON Hospital, Visakhapatnam
Key Areas of Expertise
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Development & Leadership
- Early-Phase (Phase I) Clinical Trials in Oncology
- Academic Medicine & Postgraduate Education (DM Medical Oncology)
- National Cancer Control Program Strategy & Implementation
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
- Population-Based & Hospital-Based Cancer Registry Design
Career Highlights & Impact
- Founded and served as the inaugural Director of the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital & Research Centre for the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, establishing a state-of-the-art comprehensive cancer care facility.
- Pioneered the establishment of the first Medical Oncology department and a comprehensive cancer care center for the state of Andhra Pradesh at NIMS, Hyderabad in 1989.
- Instrumental in launching India's first DM (Doctorate of Medicine) in Medical Oncology program at NIMS, Hyderabad in 2005, formally structuring sub-specialty training.
- Pioneered early-phase cancer clinical trials in India, serving as Principal Investigator for 82 clinical trials since 1993 and securing INDOX collaboration funding from the University of Oxford.
- Established multiple foundational cancer care infrastructures, including the first hematopoietic stem cell transplant unit at NIMS (2003), a subsidized cancer pharmacy (1992), and the first hospital-based cancer registry in Andhra Pradesh (1989).
- Served as National Coordinator for training government doctors in Cancer Screening & Prevention under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), impacting public health policy.
- Recognized as the first ACRP (Association of Clinical Research Professionals) Certified Clinical Research Physician in India (2004).
Board & Advisory Roles
- President, Andhra Pradesh Academy of Sciences
- Member, Ethics and Medical Registration Board, National Medical Commission
- Member, Technical Committee, National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), Government of India
- Chief Mentor, Young Medical Oncologists Program, Indian Society of Medical and Pediatric Oncology (ISMPO)
- Past Editor-in-Chief, Indian Journal of Medical & Paediatric Oncology
Education & Advanced Training
- DM (Medical Oncology), Cancer Institute, University of Madras, India
- MD (Internal Medicine), Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India
- MBBS, Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam, India
- Fellow, Royal College of Physicians of London (FRCP)
- Fellow, American College of Physicians (FACP)
- Fellow, Sigma Xi Scientific Research Honor Society
- Advanced Training in Experimental Biotherapeutics (University of Oxford), Bone Marrow Transplantation (Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto), and Palliative Care (University of Birmingham).
Awards, Recognition & Scholarship
- Recipient of the prestigious Dr. B C Roy National Award from the Medical Council of India for excellence in the promotion of oncology (2016).
- Honored with the "Legends in Oncology" Lifetime Achievement Award from the Indian Society of Medical and Pediatric Oncology (ISMPO).
- Elected Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of London (2019), the American College of Physicians (2020), and the Andhra Pradesh Academy of Sciences (2014).
- Author of over 284 scientific publications and a sought-after orator, having delivered numerous named orations nationally.
- Guided 7 PhD and 9 MD candidates to completion, contributing significantly to academic research in oncology.
Professional Affiliations
- Fellow, Royal College of Physicians of London (FRCP)
- Fellow, American College of Physicians (FACP)
- American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) – Former Committee Member
- European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)
- Indian Society of Oncology (ISO)
- Indian Society of Medical and Pediatric Oncology (ISMPO)
- Founder, Medical Oncologists Forum & Twin Cities Cancer Club