Raju Vaddepally, MD

Dr. Raju Vaddepally is a hematologist-oncologist who practices at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) in Naples, FL. He emphasizes community cancer clinical and translational research. Before joining Florida Cancer Specialists, he served as Research Director at Lee Health Regional Medical Center in 2024 and at Yuma Regional Medical Center from 2018 to 2023. Prior to these roles, he held various leadership positions before his departure to Lee Health.

Dr. Vaddepally specializes in providing precision oncology care through tumor-specific genomic testing and targeted therapies, including cutting-edge clinical trials. These trials are designed to deliver optimal care to rural and suburban communities, eliminating the need for long-distance travel to tertiary and academic centers for cutting-edge treatments.

He implemented a successful lung cancer screening program for high-risk smokers, integrating a strong focus on community tobacco cessation and the use of EBUS and robotic-assisted surgical techniques for lung cancers in collaboration with interventional pulmonology and thoracic surgery.

Dr. Vaddepally actively participates in the medical community and grassroots advocacy through various leadership roles, including:

• Current role as Board of Trustees to the National Community Cancer Centers Association (ACCC)
• President of the state oncology society (The Association of Community Cancer Centers of Florida – TACCOF, formerly TACOS) in 2023
• Executive member of the Immunotherapy Institute for the National Community Cancer Centers Association (ACCC)
• Member of the Society of Immunotherapy for Cancers (SITC)
• Scientific Review Committee member for the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology (formerly ACCRU), a National Cancer Institute (NCI) cooperative group

During his tenure at Yuma Regional Medical Center from 2018 to 2023, Dr. Vaddepally served as Chairman of Medicine, overseeing credentialing, appointments, reappointments, peer review, and quality metrics within the department.

Throughout his career, Dr. Vaddepally has received numerous awards and recognition for his work, including:

• McDaniel grant funding for research in 2019
• Grant funding for a lung cancer symposium in 2023
• Quality Award at YRMC for implementing the lung cancer screening program
• Publications in scientific literature with over 1000 citations
• Demonstrated passion for Equity in Cancer Care

Dr. Vaddepally is deeply committed to achieving equity in cancer care through grassroots advocacy, education, and community-level research, particularly for marginalized and underserved populations.

He is a dedicated physician and leader who has made significant contributions to the field of oncology. His commitment to providing excellent care, advancing education and research and advocating for equity in cancer care is truly inspiring.