 Nizam's
Institute of Medical Sciences, popularly known as
NIMS, would have never attained prestigious status
without Dr Kakarla Subba Rao, the world renowned
radiologist. Established by the Nizam, the institute was
known as Nizam Orthopedic Hospital till Dr Subba
Rao, took the reins and rebuilt it as a premier health
care institute in the state on par with the corporate
hospitals.
Dr Kakarla Subba Rao was born on 25 January, 1925 in a
middle class agricultural family at Pedamuttevi,
a small village in Krishna District of Andhra
Pradesh. He had his early schooling at S.R. High School,
Challapalli and The Hindu College at Machilipatnam,
between 1937-1944. In 1944 he joined Andhra Medical
College at Vizag and passed MBBS in
1950. Having completed his internship at K.G. Hospital,
Vizag in 1951, Dr Subbarao left for USA for higher
studies, on a special scholarship. In 1955, he cleared
his American Board Exam in Radiology. During 1954-1956
Dr Kakarla worked as a 'Special Fellow' in Radiology
at New York and Baltimore.
 Dr
Subba Rao came back to India in 1956. He joined the Osmania
Medical College as Assistant Professor in Radiology
and also worked as Assistant Radiologist at Osmania
General Hospital till 1962. He became Professor of
Radiology and Chief Radiologist. Dr Kakarla left for United
States once again in 1970. In 1973
Dr. Subba Rao became a 'Fellow of Royal College of
Radiologists (UK). Till 1986 he was associated with
faculty of Radiology at different medical institutions
in America, rendered his valuable services and distinguished
himself in the process.
Dr Subba Rao could have settled in the US and made a lot
of money but he declined to do so. In 1986, the then Chief
Minister N T Rama Rao, requested all the eminent Telugus
settled in United States of America to retrun home and
serve their brothers and sisters.
Dr Subba Rao was the one of the few eminent personalities
who responded positively to the Chief Minister's call.
He wanted to provide world class medical facilities to
the common man in India. So he started reorganizing the
Nizam's Institute of Medical sciences (NIMS) at Hyderabad
with the help of government of Andhra Pradesh. Today,
NIMS is prestigious medical institute of excellence in
patient service, education, training and research. Being
the Director, Dr Subba Rao can look with satisfaction
at the way NIMS has grown. Indeed Dr Rao is a great builder
of institutions. NIMS is a clear proof of his organisational
and administrative skills in the field of medicine.
 From
his own experience Dr Rao realises the importance of quality
education. 'To compete with the rest of the world one
requires good communication skills in English... ' this
is what Dr Subba Rao strongly believes in. So, long before
the word 'Globalisation' became fashionable,
Dr. Kakarla started the International School in
Hyderabad, with English as the medium of instruction.
Dr Subba Rao is an outstanding Radiologist of international
reputation. He always says that a Radiologist is a 'Consultant's
Consultant'. He published several books in Radiology,
edited different journals and delivered many Oration lectures.
Dr Rao recognises the importance of teaching. In fact,
he loves and enjoys it. Whether in India or America he
manages to find time to interact with the students of
the faculty of medical institutions. He has guided many
doctors in research and shaped their future. In fact,
he is a role model for many a budding radiologist. His
students acknooledge gratefully 'what an inspiring teacher
he is'. His colleagues and contemporaries always hold
him in high esteem.
 In
a career spanning almost over five decades, Dr Subba Rao
has presented many papers at medical conferences, workshops
and scientific seminars in India and abroad, winning umpteen
number of awards and accolades. In recognition of his
contributions to the field of Radiology, the Indian
Radiological and Imaging Association has confrred
on hin the prestigious 'Radiologist of the Millennium'
award in the year 2000. The Government of India honoured
Dr Kakarla Subba Rao with 'Padma Sri' on 26 January
2000, in recognition of his valuable contributions in
the field of medicine and his relentless service to mankind.
AP Chapter of Indian Radiological and Imaging Association
(IRIA), felicitated him with 'Lifetime Achievement
Award' on 17 March 2001.
For him, life is a 'Mission'. 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!"
He was also the founder president of Telugu Association
of North America (TANA), an umbrella organisation
for all Telugu speaking people in America. |
