Dr. Raghu Ram Pillarisetti, Founding Director of the KIMS-USHALAKSHMI Centre for Breast Diseases, Hyderabad, has become the youngest surgeon from South Asia to be conferred the Honorary Fellowship (FRCS) by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow (RCPSG).
Having originally earned his FRCS (Glasgow) by examination in 1997, Dr. Pillarisetti now holds the unique distinction of being the only surgeon globally to have both an exam-based FRCS and an Honorary FRCS from the same College.
Historic Conferment Ceremony
The prestigious honour was formally bestowed by Professor Hany Etiba, President of RCPSG, at the historic College Hall in Glasgow on September 10, 2025. The ceremony was followed by a formal dinner celebrating the conferment.
“I am delighted to confer Honorary Fellowship to Dr. Pillarisetti, the highest honour of our 425-year-old College,” said Professor Etiba. “His dedication to breast cancer care and his efforts in advancing surgical standards in India and worldwide are exemplary.”
The citation, read by Professor Abhay Rane, Registrar and Trustee of RCPSG, highlighted Dr. Pillarisetti’s transformative contributions:
- Establishing South Asia’s first comprehensive Breast Health Centre
- Conducting 12 FRCS/MRCS preparatory courses in Hyderabad, enabling over 2,000 trainees to succeed
- Guiding the College’s academic initiatives in India
Dr. Pillarisetti’s Message
Expressing gratitude, Dr. Pillarisetti said:
“I dedicate this singular recognition to my family, my patients, and my motherland. It is a profound honour to receive the highest accolade from RCPSG.”
He has previously been conferred Honorary Fellowships by seven other world-renowned Surgical Colleges, making him the only surgeon worldwide to receive the highest honours from all three UK Surgical Royal Colleges and the British Government.
Major Honours Received
Dr. Pillarisetti’s accolades include:
- OBE (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 2020)
- Honorary FRCS (England, 2022)
- Honorary FRCS (Glasgow, 2025)
- International Gold Medal, RCS Edinburgh, 2013
These awards recognize his pioneering work in breast cancer care and surgical excellence across South Asia.
Transforming Breast Cancer Care in India
Over the past 18 years, Dr. Pillarisetti has:
- Established South Asia’s first comprehensive breast health centre
- Founded a charitable foundation to raise awareness nationwide
- Implemented the largest population-based breast cancer screening program in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
- Played a pivotal role in forming the Association of Breast Surgeons of India
- Supported rural healthcare through personal philanthropy in Ibrahimpur, Telangana
His efforts have been widely recognized with regional, national, and international awards, highlighting his dedication to patient care, medical education, and social service.
Legacy and Global Recognition
Dr. Pillarisetti joins an illustrious lineage of surgeons associated with RCPSG, including:
- Prof. Peter Low, founder of RCPSG
- Sir William Macewan, pioneer of neurosurgery
- Prof. Joseph Lister, father of antiseptic surgery
- Prof. Sir Graeme Teasdale & Prof. Bryan Bennett, founders of the Glasgow Coma Scale
- Prof. Jamini Sen, the first female Fellow of the College (1912)
Through his work, Dr. Pillarisetti has cemented India’s presence on the global surgical map while continuing to transform breast cancer care and surgical training in South Asia.
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