Vijay And Praveen Ramakrishnan Give $3 Million To Duke Univ Radiology Programs

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India-West News Desk

DURHAM, NC -Vijay Ramakrishnan, radiologist and alumnus of Duke University, and his wife, Praveena Ramakrishnan have committed $3 million to support patient care and physician training through Duke’s radiology programs. The gift includes a $2 million innovation fund for advanced imaging equipment through Duke Health and a $1 million endowment for resident education in the Department of Radiology.

“I have such a strong connection to Duke, so it made sense for us to focus our philanthropy efforts on what I consider my home base,” Vijay Ramakrishnan said in a university announcement. “We wanted our gift to have a broad impact, and we are incredibly proud to partner with both Duke Health and Duke University.”

Ramakrishnan said his family’s connection to medicine began when his father, a physician trained in India, immigrated to the United States with his mother in 1975 and later established a radiology practice in Virginia. Now practicing in rural Virginia, he said the donation also reflects a desire to pass on the value of service to the couple’s children. “It’s not about just going out there and getting a paycheck. It’s how you pay it forward,” he said.

 In recognition of the contribution, the first-floor Radiology Suite at Duke Medical Pavilion will be named for the couple.

According to Duke, the education endowment will expand resident training in simulation, informatics, artificial intelligence, and augmented and virtual reality, while also supporting global health initiatives and related programs. Erik Paulson, chair of the Department of Radiology, said the funding would help the department respond to clinical needs and invest in imaging technology that improves patient care. Jonathan Martin, director of the Diagnostic Radiology Residency Program, said the gift would help sustain Duke’s training model and create new opportunities in clinical study and research.