Dr. Vishal Rao’s journey is woven with passion, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to humanity. He believes life unfolds in a loop—where judgment arises from experience and experience from moments of misjudgment. To him, success is not the absence of failure, but the resilience to fail repeatedly without regret, for within failure lies the seed of triumph. Dr. Rao sees in failure not defeat, but an opportunity to double the failure and success rate. True victory, he feels, lies not in avoiding setbacks but in rising stronger and wiser after each one.
Dr. Rao’s thirst for knowledge was far from conventional from an early age. His schooling left him unsatisfied, for it encouraged the acceptance of facts without question. His endless curiosity found a channel in a few mentors who profoundly shaped his life. His high school physics teacher, Mr. Ganesh Prabhu, kindled his mind with an unorthodox approach, teaching not just physics but design thinking and the marvels of astrophysics. This passion was further nurtured by Mr. Vag Shenoy, who unveiled the beauty of mathematics, and Mr. Subramaniam, who showed him the intricacies of the English language. These influences set the stage for a lifetime of learning and innovation.
Dr. Rao’s journey deepened during his medical studies in Belgaum, where another mentor, Prof. Humbarwadi, left a lasting impact with his fascination for the voice box. This seemingly niche interest would later lead Dr. Rao to create AUM, a voice prosthesis device for throat cancer patients. Looking back, Dr. Rao marvels at how the dots of life connect, realizing that the everyday moments of creation eventually form the grand design of one’s destiny.
A pivotal influence came from Dr. Arvind Desai, a clinician known for his unparalleled devotion to his patients. Dr. Rao, who secured a posting under Dr. Desai by chance, found in him a mentor who transformed medical practice into an art. Dr. Desai didn’t just apply medical knowledge; he created it, developing new insights from every case. Dr. Rao would wake early just to observe him at work, admiring how he could foresee a patient’s journey from admission to recovery. It’s this blend of clinical brilliance and compassionate care that inspires Dr. Rao to this day.
Today, Dr. Vishal Rao is a leading surgical oncologist at Healthcare Global Cancer Centre (HCG), serving as Group Director and Dean of Academics. But his impact extends far beyond surgery. A visionary innovator, Dr. Rao holds numerous patents, including AUM, a life-changing voice prosthesis born from his desire to restore the voices—and dignity—of cancer patients. This innovation, like many others, reflects Dr. Rao’s deep empathy and his relentless drive to solve human problems.
Entrepreneurship, though challenging, has been a fulfilling journey for Dr. Rao. He speaks of “conscious capitalism,” a philosophy that merges profit with the pursuit of compassionate change. To him, true luck comes to those who prepare, who work tirelessly, and remain open to opportunities the universe offers.
Collaboration over competition defines Dr. Rao’s approach to innovation. He champions partnerships across disciplines, believing that shared ideas can address society’s most pressing health challenges. Living by the principle of “copyleft,” he shares his ideas freely, allowing them to grow beyond boundaries. In doing so, Dr. Rao aims to inspire others to shed fear and insecurity and embrace the infinite possibilities of collaborative effort.
In leadership, Dr. Rao finds wisdom in the wolf pack—knowing when to lead and when to follow, valuing collaboration over individualism. He believes true leadership lies in fostering shared success, nurturing those around you, and stepping back to let others shine.
What drives him is simple yet profound: the desire to make a difference in the lives of his patients. He sees the divine in every patient, believing that the greatest form of prayer is alleviating another’s pain. His ultimate goal is not personal gain but the betterment of society, dreaming of healthcare innovations that disrupt the status quo and create solutions far beyond the confines of hospitals.
Among his many accolades, Dr. Rao cherishes his degrees from the Royal College of Surgeons of Glasgow and the American College of Surgeons, his visiting scholarship at the University of Pittsburgh, and his role at Johns Hopkins University. His work has earned him the Judy Belkin Field Award for Excellence in Global Tobacco Control, as well as numerous advisory roles for the Government of India. Recently, he was named one of the world’s 50 most influential Indians, a recognition of his contributions to medicine, innovation, and public health.
For Dr. Vishal Rao, leadership is not about creating followers but nurturing future leaders. He believes responsibility brings capability, and great leaders are those who embrace collaboration and shared success. In every challenge, he sees an opportunity to inspire, innovate, and leave the world a better place for those who follow.
In the end, Dr. Rao’s message is one of hope, compassion, and boundless possibility. For him, progress is not about accumulating more for those who already have much, but about tirelessly working to uplift those who have little. True transformation comes from selfless dedication and the courage to dream beyond today’s limitations. As he navigates the complexities of life and medicine, Dr. Vishal Rao continues to challenge conventions, uplift those around him, and work toward a future where compassion, health, and innovation intertwine to create a better world for all.
Dr. Vishal Rao’s story is a testament to resilience, passion, and boundless innovation. With every challenge he faced, he saw an opportunity to rise stronger, believing that true success is born not from the absence of failure, but from the courage to embrace it. His creation of AUM—a voice prosthesis for throat cancer patients—echoes his desire not just to treat, but to restore dignity and offer a second chance at life. Learn more about his journey in Passion Vista’s latest edition of Global Game Changers 2024