Dr Jagdishwar Goud Gajagowni’s journey into medicine began not in a classroom but in a moment of vulnerability – a childhood allergic reaction that left his family shaken and searching for answers. That moment sparked a lifelong commitment: “It would’ve been so much better if we had a doctor in the family,” he recalls. “So, I decided I would be that doctor.”
Today, as Head of Robotic Onco Surgery at Apollo Cancer Centre in Hyderabad, and mentor to surgeons across India, Dr Goud is a trailblazer in his field. Trained at Rosewell Park (USA) and Severance Robotic Institute (South Korea), he has performed over 5,000 robotic surgeries – making him one of the most experienced in the country. But for him, it’s not about numbers. “Each surgery is a story of healing, hope, and returning home,” he says.
Equally known for his teaching, Dr Goud has built a movement: train 10, who will each train 10 more. Rooted in an early mentorship experience, this philosophy now drives his mission to empower surgeons across India – from AIIMS to CMC Vellore – with hands-on robotic training. His customized innovations, such as redesigned access ports and ergonomic techniques for complex cancers, have made robotic surgery safer and more reproducible nationwide.
But his most heartfelt work happens far from urban hospitals. “Reach Rural” has been his mantra since 2000 – traveling from district to district across Telangana to offer free surgeries through Aarogyasri and training local doctors to ensure sustainability.
His time at ISB (AMPH, 2022) was transformational. “ISB taught me to think beyond the OT,” he reflects. “It gave me tools to scale projects, lead teams, and build systems that last.” Case-based learning, team collaboration, and exposure to cross-sector thinking helped him reimagine healthcare delivery as scalable, strategic, and deeply human.
“Robotic surgery is just the beginning,” he says. “What matters is access, empathy, and passing the torch to those who come next.”
Dr. Jagdishwar Goud Gajagowni is an alumnus of the ISB Advanced Management Programme in Healthcare (AMPH), Class of 2022. This story is part of a series curated on the occasion of Doctors’ Day 2025.