BSc, MBBS, MS (Gen Surg), MCh (Plastic Surgery), PDFBR (USA) is a Professor of General Surgery/Professor and Head of Plastic Surgery, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Christian Medical College and Hospital(CMC), Vellore and a Visiting Professor at Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch/Shriners, USA.

Dr Prema Dhanraj, hailing from Bengaluru, has dedicated her life for the care and rehabilitation of burn victims. The work of the plastic reconstructive surgeon extends beyond surgery, championing burn prevention, awareness and policy reform.

A survivor of 50 per cent burns at the age of eight (when a stove burst on her face while playing in the kitchen), she triumphed over personal tragedy to become a driving force of change. She underwent more than 14 surgeries as a child at Christian Medical College Vellore and went on to become a surgeon and HoD in the same hospital.

She founded Agni Raksha, an NGO that has provided free surgery to 25,000 burn victims. She has also authored three books on plastic surgery.

As part of her global humanitarian efforts, she established Ethiopia’s first burns unit, and educated doctors in Kenya, Tanzania, Norway, and Ethiopia about improving medical treatment for burn victims and creating awareness on burn prevention.