Dr. V. K. Raju was born in Rajahmundry, AP, India. He is the founding patron member of AAPI. He is a Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at West Virginia University, Adjunct Professor of Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University and director of the International Ocular Surface Society. He is also founder and president of The Eye Foundation of America, a non-profit organization dedicated to realizing a world without childhood blindness.
The Eye Foundation of America has established two eye institutes in India. Since 1979, EFA has expanded its reach to over 35 countries, screened millions of patients, and provided hundreds of thousands of surgeries.
Awards (partial list)
- Life Achievement Honor from American Academy of Ophthalmology
- AMA Foundation Nathan Davis Excellence in Medicine International Award
- Four Time Awardee by The American Academy of Ophthalmology
- Martin Luther King Jr Achievement Award from WVU
- Rameswara Sharma Gold medal oration, Indian Academy of Medical Sciences, Jaipur Chapter
- Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Gold Medal at House of Lords, UK
- Distinguished Community Service Award from AAPI (American Association of Physicians from India)
- Presidential Award AAPI (American Association of Physicians from India)
- Lifetime Achievement Award from the WV State Medical Association
- University of Toledo Global Medical Missions Hall of Fame
- President’s Lifetime Achievement Award from President Barack Obama
- Medscape placed him among the best doctors of America
- Leading Physicians of the World, International Association of Ophthalmologists
- Paul Harris Society, Rotary International
- President’s Gold medal, West Virginia State Medical Association
- Indian American Press Club. Humanitarian Award–New York
- Honors by the Vice President of India, M. Venkiah Naidu
- Lifetime Achievement Award, North American Telugu Society
- Ellis Island Award Nominee, 3 times
- Nargis Dutt Memorial Foundation Award, Excellence in Healthcare
- Legendary Alumni, Government Arts College Rajahmundry, AP