PRACHI Hope Foundation

Dr. Anil D’Cruz

Oncosurgeon

Dr. D’cruz is a top Head and Neck Surgical Oncologist in the country, currently Director, Oncology Services – Surgical Oncology at Apollo Cancer Centres. He is well-recognised as a global leader, clinician, researcher and teacher in the field Head and Neck Oncology, with over 37 years of experience in cancer surgery. Dr. D’Cruz has held leadership positions & is on the board of numerous professional organisations. He was the President of the esteemed Union International for Cancer Control headquartered in Geneva, the former Director of Tata Memorial Hospital, Director of Head & Chief of Neck Services at Tata Memorial Hospital, a Governing Council Member & Past President of the Foundation Head & Neck Oncology, and the past President of the Asian Society of Head & Neck Oncology.

Dr. Shripad Banavali

Medical Oncologist

Dr. Banavali, MD (Med, Mum); BC (Ped, USA); BE (Hem-Onc, USA) is the Director of Academics & Professor, Department of Medical & Pediatric Oncology; Co-ordinator, Rural Outreach Programme of the Tata Memorial Center, Parel, Mumbai. He is a recipient of several prestigious honours, including Chairperson, Ped Hem-Onc Chapter of Indian Academy of Pediatrics. He is the Founder-Chairman, ImPaCCT Foundation, which organizes free treatment for all Pediatric patients at TMC. He was the Former Head, Dept. of Medical & Pediatric Oncology of Tata Memorial Hospital. He is a Member, Drugs Advisory Committee to advise Drugs Controller General (India). He has received Multiple Awards including International “Barton Kamen Prize” in recognition of research in Metronomics in Childhood cancers.

Dr. Mary Ann MuCkaden

Radiation Oncologist and Palliative Medicine Expert

Dr. Muckaden is a Radiation Oncologist who specialised in Palliative Medicine from Cardiff University, UK. She started the Dept. of Palliative Medicine at Tata Memorial Centre, with the first MD Program in Palliative Medicine in India. She has a special interest in Paediatrics, and had initiated Fellowship for Palliative Medicine at TMH and Paediatric Palliative Medicine at TMH. She is the Former Chairperson of International Children’s Palliative Care Network and the Former President of Indian Association of Palliative Care. She is currently interested in Non Cancer Palliative Care. She started Sukoon Nilaya, an Inpatient Unit for Palliative Care at King George Memorial Hospital. She started the Out Patient Unit at EFF Niramay Niketan, Trombay, and aims to start a Mental Health Palliative Care Facility soon.

Dr. Ravi Nayar

Consultant Otolaryngologist

Dr. Nayar [MS (PGI), DNBE, D.L.O (London), FRCS (Glasgow), D.C.C.F (Paris)] is the Program Director of the Inter-Institutional Biomedical Innovation Program C-CAMP, Consultant Otolaryngologist at Sakra Premium Bangalore, Consultant NeuroOtologist at Dizzyeasy referral clinic Bangalore. He is the Co-founder and Academic Advisor for Cyclops Meditech Pvt Ltd., and serves as the Professor of Practice (UGC), & Member Board of Studies, Surgical and Allied at Sri Devaraj Urs Medical University, Member of the Research Council, Sri Siddharth University Tumkur, Member of the Research Council of Adichunchangiri University and Mentor for the Biomedical Engineering NIT Rourkela, Odisha. Formerly Dean HCG Academics, Bangalore, and HOD of ENT St Johns National Academy of Medical Sciences Bangalore, Dr. Nayar is also the Former President of the Association ENT surgeons of Bangalore.

Dr. (Surg Lt Cdr, Retd) Anushree Vartak

Oncosurgeon

Dr. Vartak is Senior Consultant Breast Surgical Oncology at Yashoda Superspeciality Hospital & Cancer Institute, Ghaziabad. Having completed an Advanced Course on Breast Cancer Surgery in France organised by the European Surgical Society of Oncology, she was commissioned in the Indian Armed Forces in 2018, where she served as a Consultant Surgical Oncologist for 5 years, initially in INHS Ashvini, Mumbai and later on AHRR, Delhi. She has completed a Fellowship in Oncoplastic Breast Surgery from International School of Oncoplastic Surgery, and Oncoplasty Observership at the University of Rome. Passionate about raising cancer awareness and women’s health, Dr. Vartak is a Content Writer for BeingBreastAware, a Social Media campaign, for breast health awareness, and a Volunteer Oncologist for Indian Cancer Society, where she contributes to educational videocasts for RiseAgainstCancer Mobile App.

Dr. Prince John

Palliative Care and Geriatric Care Physician

Dr. Prince John is a highly experienced Palliative Care and Geriatric Care Physician, bringing over 15 years of dedicated professional practice to his work. His foundational medical education was completed in Mumbai, after which he pursued specialized training at internationally recognized institutions, including Cardiff University in the United Kingdom and Flinders University in Australia. Prior to his relocation to Pune, Dr. John held significant roles at Tata Memorial Hospital and other prominent corporate healthcare facilities in Mumbai. His clinical focus encompasses the comprehensive management of both advanced malignancies and progressive non-malignant diseases. Dr. John possesses particular expertise in addressing pain associated with cancer and delivering specialized palliative care interventions for patients with respiratory, neurological, and nephrological conditions. His professional commitment is centered on providing exceptional care, with a primary aim to enhance the quality of life for all patients while effectively managing the complexities of their illnesses.

Adv Dr. Nilima Bhadbhade

Academician and Advocate

Dr. Bhadbhade is known as an academician and advocate. This unique skill set enables her to apply practical aspects while teaching laws like contracts, property, insurance and evidence and adopt a research-based approach to legal work. She conducts workshops on contracts and contract law and training sessions on advocacy skills, legal writing and decision writing. She has trained 100+ teams from ILS Law College and sent them to international, national and state level competitions. She was a member of the Expert Committee that recommended fundamental changes in the law that were adopted by Parliament in the Specific Relief (Amendment) Act 2018. She writes books, articles, legal opinions and petitions. After practicing as an advocate for thirteen years, she worked as an associate professor at ILS. She took voluntary retirement in 2016. Dr. Bhadbhade continues to train law graduates on advocacy skills and industrial workers on contracting and evidence. Through her website https://obiterdicta.in, she provides legal information and information on wills in simple language for law students.

Adv. Srisiddhi Sabne

Data Privacy Expert

Adv. Sabne (CS, LLM) is a Civil & Corporate Lawyer specialising in Data Privacy, Cyber Law, and Cybersecurity, offering legal guidance on GDPR compliance, AI Law and Policy, and cybercrime redressal. Her expertise includes advising organizations on data protection strategies, developing robust data privacy policies, and aligning business practices with international data laws like GDPR, and India’s emerging data privacy regime. She has also worked in managing a wide array of commercial disputes for clients in various sectors. Her practice also encompasses family law where she brings a strategic and solution oriented approach to resolving complex legal issues.

Ashish Yardi

ERP Consultant

Ashish Yardi is an ERP consultant and a founder-director of Werardt Systems. He is currently the M.D. of Werardt. His immense industry knowledge makes him an authority in understanding the various business processes. His valuable insight has formed the backbone of OPSCALE – ERP software which has been vouched for by customers in India and overseas.

nakul datar

Software Solutions Expert

Nakul Datar (BS and MS in CE, CS, USC California) is the Founder of Via Simplex, USA, and Founder-Partner of Dronographic Inc., USA. He was the Former Director of Mobile Development of Krixi Pvt. Ltd and Former Chief Technology Officer of Vernac Language Technologies. He has an extensive software product development experience spanning multiple countries, domains and leveraging cutting-edge technologies in geospatial intelligence, mobility, machine-learning and simplifying human-computer interactions.