American Oncology Institute to strengthen cancer surgery ecosystem through R.I.S.E

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

American Oncology Institute (AOI) at Citizens Specialty Hospital successfully hosted the R.I.S.E. (Robotic Innovation, Skills & Education) Program, an initiative of the Association of Surgeons of India (ASI), bringing together leading surgeons from across the country to advance patient-centric robotic cancer care through structured surgical education. Designed to build the next generation of robotic surgeons, the program focuses on strengthening clinical expertise and expanding access to safe, precise, and evidence-based cancer surgery across India. Hosted at Citizens Specialty Hospital, Nallagandla, the program brought together more than 229 surgeons from across India for an intensive scientific workshop focused on strengthening clinical expertise in minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgery.

The conference was led by the Robotic Cancer Surgery Team headed by Dr. Jagdishwar Goud Gajagowni, supported by Dr. Bala Vikas Kumar Senior Consultant Surgical Oncology and Robotic Surgery and Dr. Soumya Dayyala Consultant Surgical Oncology, with Gynaecologic Oncology led by Dr. P. Pragnia and GI & General Surgery led by Chief – General Laproscopic and Bariatric Surgeon Dr. G. Suresh Chandra Hari. Procedures showcased included Robotic Esophagectomy, Robotic Low Anterior Resection for Rectal Cancer, Robotic Hysterectomy with Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy, Robotic Hernioplasty, alongside advanced robotic approaches in thoracic, colorectal, upper gastrointestinal, gynaecologic, and endocrine surgery.

Dr. Jagdishwar Goud Gajagowni, National Director – Robotic Onco Surgery, American Oncology Institute at Citizens Specialty Hospital, Hyderabad, and National Project Lead, ASI R.I.S.E. Program said, “Every live surgery demonstrated during R.I.S.E. is an opportunity to transfer not just technique, but clinical judgement, planning, and confidence. Our mission is simple - Teach 10, who will teach 10 more. Every surgeon trained today has the potential to improve the lives of hundreds of patients in the years ahead. By building a strong ecosystem of skilled robotic surgeons through continued education, we are creating sustainable access to advanced cancer care across India.”

Designed as a continuing medical education initiative, the R.I.S.E. Program combined live robotic surgeries, expert-led scientific sessions, interactive case discussions, and peer-to-peer knowledge exchange to help surgeons enhance precision, improve surgical decision-making, and ultimately deliver better patient outcomes. The program follows the philosophy of ‘Teach 10, who will teach 10 more,’ creating a multiplier effect that expands access to quality cancer surgery across India. The emphasis throughout the workshop was on simple, safe, standardized and reproducible techniques that participants can confidently implement in their own clinical practice. As more surgeons acquire standardized robotic skills, patients can increasingly receive advanced cancer surgery closer to home, reducing the need to travel long distances for specialized care.

A key highlight of the workshop was the live demonstration of complex robotic procedures performed by experienced faculty, allowing participants to observe every stage of surgery, from pre-operative planning and intraoperative decision-making to execution of advanced techniques in real time.

Dr. Prabhakar Palacharla Regional Chief Operating Officer – South, American Oncology Institute and Citizens Specialty Hospital said, “The true value of robotic technology lies entirely in the hands that guide it. Technology alone cannot transform patient care; structured training, disciplined mentorship, and continuous learning enable surgeons to consistently perform complex procedures with safety, precision, and confidence. Programs such as R.I.S.E. are instrumental in building that capability.”

Dr. Jagdishwar Goud further highlighted that drawing upon one of the country’s most experienced robotic oncology programs, with a cumulative experience of more than 5,400 robotic procedures, the faculty shared standardized and reproducible techniques developed through extensive clinical practice. The emphasis remained on developing sustainable surgical capability that can be replicated across institutions to improve long-term patient outcomes.

The educational proceedings also featured masterclasses and focused scientific sessions from distinguished national experts including Dr. Suresh Chandra Hari, Dr. Pallavi V. R., Dr. Kalayarasan Raja, and Dr. Saravana Rajamanickam and Dr. Gaddi Diwakar, Hon. Secretary ASI, attended the inauguration on behalf of ASI. Their sessions expanded learning beyond individual procedures to include surgical planning, oncologic principles, patient selection, advanced reconstruction strategies, and best practices in robotic surgery, enriching the overall educational experience for participating surgeons.

Mr. Dileep Mangsuli, Chairman, CTSI, said, “The R.I.S.E. Program reflects a long-term vision of strengthening surgical excellence through education. The true impact of robotic surgery is realised when surgeons across institutions are equipped with standardized skills and reproducible techniques that translate into better patient care. By investing in continued surgical education today, we are helping ensure that more patients across India can access advanced robotic procedures closer to home tomorrow.”

The management of American Oncology Institute and Citizens Specialty Hospital reaffirmed their commitment to positioning India as a global leader in robotic surgery by investing in innovation, structured surgical education, and clinical excellence. Through continued collaboration with the Association of Surgeons of India and national surgical faculty, AOI at Citizens Specialty Hospital remains committed to strengthening India’s robotic surgery ecosystem by developing skilled surgeons, encouraging responsible adoption of technology, and improving access to advanced cancer care for patients across the country.

About CTSI –

CTSI, a leading multi-disciplinary healthcare group comprising American Oncology Institute, one of South Asia's largest comprehensive cancer care networks, and Ampath Labs, a trusted diagnostics network, Citizens Specialty Hospital leverages an integrated healthcare ecosystem to offer seamless and advanced medical care.

About Citizens Specialty Hospital –

Citizens Specialty Hospital is a 300-bed, state-of-the-art multi-specialty tertiary care hospital in Hyderabad, delivering comprehensive healthcare across a wide spectrum of medical and surgical specialties. With a team of over 150+ highly experienced doctors, supported by skilled nursing professionals and advanced clinical infrastructure, the hospital is committed to providing evidence-based, patient-centric care with a strong focus on quality, safety, and clinical excellence. Driven by innovation, compassion, and a patient-first philosophy, the hospital continues to be a trusted destination for world-class healthcare, serving patients across Telangana and beyond.