Radiology is one of the most popularly used techniques of medical imaging. Radiology has evolved to a great extent allowing the physicians to treat the patients in a more effective. The radiology technicians are known as radiologists who can diagnose and treat disease and injury through the use of medical imaging techniques such as CT or computed tomography, x-rays, MRI or magnetic resonance imaging, fusion imaging, PET or positron emission tomography, and ultrasound.
Apparao Mukkamala is a well-known radiologist from India who has practiced radiology at Hurley Medical Center in Flint, Michigan, the United States. He is associated with multiple hospitals in Michigan including Harbor Beach Community Hospital and Genesys Regional Medical Center. In spite of being a famous radiologist, Dr. Mukkamala has passion both for his profession and for assisting the lives of others. Born in Budhavaram, of Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh, India, Dr. Mukkamala grew up in modest conditions, the seventh of ten children in a home without suitable running water, flooring, or adjacent concrete roads.
Since his childhood days, Dr. Mukkamala has the determination of helping others to improve their life and this is why he got himself enrolled in a medical school at the age of sixteen. He obtained his medical degree from Guntur Medical College NTR at the age of twenty two. Post this he immigrated to the United States and started practicing radiology. Apparao has served as the Chairman of the Radiology Residency Program and has taught several radiologists. Along with his wife, Dr. Sumathi Mukkamala, a pediatrician, he co-founded Chinmaya Vijaya Orphanage to provide clothing, food, and shelter for children who are homeless. Gradually, he extended the property to include an assisted living facility for senior citizens. He also established NRI Medical College and Hospital which provides training for the future doctors in India as well as much-needed medical services for the common people.
Dr. Mukkamala has contributed more than one million dollar for the medical school, Chinmaya Vijaya Orphanage and teaching hospital. Dr. Apparao Mukkamala spends almost three months of each year in India and the remaining months in Michigan, where he assists as clinical professor of radiology at Michigan State University in complement to his clinical practice. A mentor and guide among his colleagues, Dr. Mukkamala stands out as a member of the Hurley Health Services’ Board of Directors, American Medical Association’s Council on Legislation and as a member of the Hurley Medical Center’s Board of Managers.
In addition to his long and successful career as a practicing physician, Dr. Mukkamala is a clinical researcher whose work has been published in scientific publications such as the Frank V. Hodges Research Forum and the Annals of Surgical Oncology. He has received a number of respectable awards, including the Rotary Foundation International Award, the Mother India International Award and the Clement A. Alfred Humanitarian Award owing to his contribution towards the society and for the humanitarian causes.
Thus, the contribution of Dr. Mukkamala as a radiologist and philanthropist is massive.