Dr. Govind Rao, an alumnus of Osmania Medical College, India, has been practicing in Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine in Amsterdam, NY since July 1972. After graduating in India, he arrived in the United States of America with only $4 dollars in his pocket, 2 suitcases, and his 6-month pregnant wife.

He and his staff work out of the Neena Rao Medical Center, named after his late daughter, Neena.

Over the years, Dr. Rao, his wife Jyothi, and their 3 children have been philanthropical not only to Fulton-Montgomery Community College and the local community, but worldwide. The Rao Family are avid supporters of many community organizations including:

• Office for the Aging
• Amsterdam Free Library
• Catholic Charities
• Walter Elwood Museum
• Amsterdam YMCA
• Centro Civico
• Danielle’s House Homeless Shelter,
• the Greater Amsterdam School District
• Salvation Army
• local Veterans and their families
• and St. Mary’s Healthcare

Under his guidance and donations, a 1,000-bed pediatric hospital, an operation theatre complex, and conference hall was built, and renovations to the library were made for the Niloufer Hospital in India. Also, the 600-bed Osmania Hospital in India was renovated where all medical care is free. His family has donated to the Hindu Temple in order to build the Hindu Cultural Center and the Neena Rao Education Wing. After part of the Walter Elwood Museum was destroyed, his family helped to buy the Noteworthy Building, now named The Rao Center, which includes the Walter Elwood Museum Education Center. Dr. Rao and his family have donated to the FM Foundation to assist renovations to science laboratories. He assists with summer camps at the YMCA and helped to create a digital learning center at the Amsterdam Free Library named the “Neena Rao Digital Learning Center”, connecting community, and opening opportunity. Through the Rao Family’s generosity, the College renovated the Rao Theater in 2019 to assist the College to give students a Iirst-class education. Most recently, the Rao Family donated $750,000 toward construction of a new building for Montgomery County SPCA, which will be named, “The Neena Rao Family Animal Shelter”.

Dr. Rao was awarded the Hind Rattan Award (Jewel of India) by the Health Secretary of India; he was Chief Guest at the Alumni Global Meet of Osmania Medical College in 2011; and was named Amsterdam Rotary Club’s 2013 Citizen of the Year. In April 2018, Dr. Rao was honored by Montgomery County OFA for his contributions to our local community.