Ramakant Krishnaji Deshpande

Ramakant Krishnaji Deshpande is an Indian surgical oncologist, known as the pioneer of thoracoscopic surgery at the Tata Memorial Hospital. The Government of India honoured him, in 2014, with the award of Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award, for his contributions to the fields of medicine.

Biography Ramakant Deshpande graduated in medicine (MBBS) from Karnataka Medical College, Hubli and did his post graduate studies (MS) at the Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. This was followed by a higher training stint at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York.

Deshpande's career started at the Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology in 1982. Three years later, in 1985, he returned to his alma mater, Tata Memorial Hospital, and worked there till 2002, as the Chief of Thoracic Services. and presently known as Asian Institute of Oncology where he is the executive vice chairman. His wife, Geethanjali also serves as the Director of Triumph Hospitals Private Limited. He has also written chapters in a book, Textbook of Cancer, published by the National Book Trust.

Awards and honours Game Changers Award by The HR Club on 7 February 2015.