T. Subramanyeshwar Rao, MBBS, medical director of the Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, located in Hyderabad, Telangana, India, visited UNMC earlier this month to sign a memorandum of understanding with university leaders.
UNMC Interim Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD, joined by Jane Meza, PhD, interim vice chancellor for academic affairs, Bradley Britigan, MD, dean of the UNMC College of Medicine and Chandra Are, MBBS, senior associate dean of graduate medical education, met with Dr. Rao and participated in the signing.
UNMC and the institute have worked together for many years, with UNMC residents and medical students undertaking rotations ranging from one to six months in Hyderabad, Dr. Chandra said. In addition, medical students, residents, fellows and faculty from India have visited UNMC since 2009, accounting for more than 1,000 observership experiences.
This memorandum of understanding builds upon the previous one signed in late 2009, and that memorandum has led to one of the most productive global partnerships for UNMC.
March’s signing will strengthen the partnership for an extended array of mutual benefits.
“What makes agreements such as this work is having people who are committed,” Dr. Davies said. “This relationship has been going on for a long time, so right now, we’re talking about opportunities to elevate it even further. We are incredibly grateful for our strong collaborators in India and for Dr. Are at UNMC who had the vision to grow and strengthen these ties.”
Dr. Meza said, “In the Office of Global Engagement, we are trying to build partnerships that have deep roots between our both institutions. It must be a good match for both the institutions, and there has to be strong champions on both sides. And that’s what we have here.”
Dr. Britigan, who visited the hospital in India last year, said, “My visit gave me a much better perspective and appreciation, not only of what had been accomplished and its impact on those who had participated, but of how much opportunity there is to benefit from an even greater enhanced relationship. Each organization can greatly benefit from this exchange.”
Dr. Rao said the partnership, which grew from a lifelong friendship between he and Dr. Are, has flourished since it began in 2009.
“Lots of our students have come here, and their horizons expanded,” Dr. Rao said. “They then completed training with us, and many now occupy high positions in India. This is an unbelievable facility, and it is such a privilege to be sitting with all of you.”
Dr. Rao, who now is the CEO at the hospital, said his new role – and upcoming expansion plans at the hospital — make this a perfect time for a stronger collaboration with UNMC.
Said Dr. Are: “The most important reason why this collaboration has been successful is because of Dr. Rao. So it’s a real privilege and pleasure to have him here, and we look forward to a growing partnership.”