When Dr. Lokeswara Rao Sajja established the Sajja Heart Foundation (SHF) in 2013, he envisioned more than just a research body. His mission was to create an institution that could address India’s unique cardiovascular health challenges, while staying firmly rooted in patient welfare. For him, science and service were inseparable.
The foundation was born from his conviction that research in India must go beyond publishing papers and directly impact patient care. “At our foundation, we believe that impactful research is not just about publishing papers—it’s about addressing real-world clinical challenges and improving patient outcomes,” he tells Global Indian.
The Sajja Heart Foundation
The Sajja Heart Foundation (SHF) is a charitable trust registered in India, established as an independent and academically focused organization. Its mission is to improve the survival and quality of life of people with heart disease through dedicated research and education.
At the core of SHF’s work is its Research Program, which strategically advances cardiovascular science by supporting high-quality studies on the causes, diagnosis, treatment, management, and prevention of conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and blood vessel disorders. The foundation actively participates in multi-center clinical trials and conducts its own research in basic sciences related to heart and coronary artery diseases.
Beyond research, SHF is committed to the dissemination of knowledge. It organizes seminars, workshops, and conferences that bring together clinicians, researchers, and students, creating a platform for learning and collaboration. These initiatives ensure that innovations and findings are not confined to academic circles but reach the wider medical community, ultimately improving patient care.
In every aspect, whether through scientific research or educational outreach, the Sajja Heart Foundation works to bridge the gap between medical discovery and patient benefit, staying true to its vision of research with a human touch.
Recognition and Achievements
SHF’s vision and work soon gained recognition. In 2019, the Government of India acknowledged its contributions by designating it as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (SIRO). This recognition gave the foundation the platform to expand its reach by supporting clinical trials, conducting training programmes for young doctors, and sharing knowledge widely with a focus on Indian challenges.
In 2025, the foundation was honoured with the Blackbuck Outstanding Research Institution Award at the Medical Research Summit in New Delhi. For Dr. Sajja, the award was both an encouragement and a validation of SHF’s purpose. “This award serves as an encouragement for all clinician-scientists across India that with perseverance, collaboration, and scientific rigor, we can make meaningful contributions on a national and global scale,” he notes.
Roots, training and inspiration
The foundation reflects the values and journey of its founder. Born in Jandrapet Village, Chirala Mandal, Andhra Pradesh, Dr. Sajja was drawn to biology at a young age. He pursued his medical studies at Guntur Medical College, followed by postgraduate training at JIPMER. He then undertook super-specialization in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery at AIIMS Delhi, where he was deeply inspired by Dr. Christiaan Barnard’s pioneering heart transplant. This inspiration solidified his decision to dedicate himself to cardiac surgery.
To refine his expertise further, Dr. Sajja trained under the legendary Prof. Denton Cooley at the Texas Heart Institute, Houston. This experience was transformative, shaping both his surgical precision and his commitment to research-led practice. “Training under Prof. Cooley shaped my lifelong emphasis on precision and research-led practice,” he recalls.
Professional excellence
Today, Dr. Sajja serves as Senior Consultant in Cardiothoracic Surgery and Heart Transplant at Star Hospitals, Hyderabad, where he is also Director of Cardiovascular Research. Over the course of his career, he has performed more than 10,500 cardiac surgeries with a remarkable success rate. His contributions extend beyond the operating room—through the Sajja Heart Foundation, he continues to drive innovation, research, and knowledge-sharing, ensuring that Indian patients benefit from solutions designed specifically for their needs.
Dive deeper into Dr. Lokeswara Rao Sajja’s journey here
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