Kakarla Subba Rao

Dr. Kakarla Subba Rao MBBS, MS, FRCR, FACR, FICP,FSASMA, FCCP, FICR, FCGP is an eminent bone radiologist and former Director of Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences in Hyderabad.

Early life
Born in an agricultural family at Pedamuttevi, in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, on January 25, 1925; he had his early schooling at S.R. High School, Challapalli and The Hindu College at Machilipatnam, between 1937 and 1944.

He joined the Andhra Medical College at Vizag and passed MBBS in 1950.

Life in the US
Having completed his internship at K G Hospital, Vizag in 1951, Dr. Rao left for USA for higher studies, on a special scholarship.

He cleared the American Medical Board Exam in Radiology in 1955. Dr. Rao worked as a 'Special Fellow' in Radiology at New York and Baltimore from 1954 to 1956.

Dr. Rao came back to India in 1956 and joined the Osmania Medical College as an Assistant Professor in Radiology and also as Assistant Radiologist at Osmania General Hospital till 1962 until he became Professor of Radiology and Chief Radiologist.

In 1970 Dr. Rao left for the United States of America once again. Dr. Rao became a 'Fellow of Royal College of Radiologists (UK)in 1973. Till 1986 he was associated with the Faculty of Radiology at different medical institutions in America, rendered his valuable services and distinguished himself in the process.

He was also the founder president of Telugu Association of North America (TANA), an umbrella organization for Telugu speaking people in America.

Back in India
He returned to India from the US in 1986, when the then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh N. T. Rama Rao, requested all the eminent Telugus settled in the United States of America to return and serve their brethren. Upon returning he joined Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, popularly known as NIMS, which would have never attained prestigious status without Dr. Rao, a world renowned radiologist.

Established by the Nizam, the institute was known as Nizam Orthopedic Hospital till Dr. Subba Rao, took its reins and rebuilt it as a premier health care institute in the state, on par with the corporate hospitals. Today, NIMS is prestigious medical institute of excellence in patient service, education, training and research.

Dr. Rao is an outstanding Radiologist of international repute who often says that a Radiologist is a Consultant's Consultant. He published several books in Radiology, edited different journals and delivered many lectures. Dr. Rao has presented many papers at medical conferences, workshops and scientific seminars in India and abroad, winning umpteen number of awards and accolades in a career spanning over five decades. The Indian Radiological and Imaging Association has conferred on him the prestigious 'Radiologist of the Millennium' award in the year 2000, in recognition of his contributions to the field of Radiology.

The Government of India honoured Dr. Rao with the Padma Shri on January 26 2000, in recognition of his valuable contributions in the field of medicine and his perpetual service to mankind.

The AP Chapter of the Indian Radiological and Imaging Association, felicitated him with the 'Lifetime Achievement Award' on March 17 2001. His philosophy in his own words is "I pass through this life only once, let me do the maximum good to the largest number of people."