“I accept the award with humility and a renewed commitment to serving patients and addressing disparities in cancer care, underscoring his guiding principle: service above self.”
— Kashyap Patel
PRAVASISAMWAD.COM
Indian-origin physician Dr Kashyap Patel has been selected to receive the Hind Rattan Award, one of the highest honours given to members of the Indian diaspora. The award will be presented by the NRI Welfare Society of India at a ceremony scheduled for August 14 at the Supreme Court of England in London.
Dr Patel, Medical Director and Consultant at Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina and a past president of the Community Oncology Alliance, shared the news on LinkedIn, describing the recognition as unexpected and deeply moving. He reflected that such honours are meaningful only when they highlight the importance of service and commitment to society.
For more than 20 years, Dr Patel has worked in community oncology, driven by the belief that everyone deserves access to high-quality cancer care, regardless of where they live or their financial background
Through organisations such as Carolina Blood and Cancer Care Associates and initiatives like “No One Left Alone”, he has focused on reducing healthcare gaps and improving patient-centred treatment.
He credited the award to the teams and communities he has worked with, including healthcare professionals serving rural areas, patients who inspire resilience, and advocates striving to improve healthcare systems. Dr Patel also acknowledged the wider community oncology movement that continues to fight for equitable and accessible care.
The Hind Rattan Award has previously been conferred on notable global figures, adding to its prestige within the Indian diaspora. While honoured by the recognition, Dr Patel emphasised that many communities still lack adequate healthcare access and that much work remains to be done.
