We are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Spandana Rayala as Co-director of the
Pediatric Palliative Care Fellowship Program, a joint initiative of Two Worlds Cancer
Collaboration (TWCC) and the Hyderabad Centre for Palliative Care.
Dr. Rayala brings over a decade of experience in pediatric palliative care, with a strong focus on
expanding access to compassionate, high-quality care for children in global regions where access to
pediatric palliative care remains limited. She is trained in India (MD Pediatrics, MRCPCH, Fellowship
in Pediatric Palliative Care) and has worked with institutions and partners across South Asia and the
Middle East. Her work spans direct patient care, medical education, health systems strengthening
and mentorship.
As Assistant Director of the Fellowship, Dr. Rayala worked alongside Fellowship Directors Dr.
Megan Doherty and Dr. Gayatri Palat to design and launch the Pediatric Palliative Care
Fellowship. Launched in 2020, this fellowship is the first specialized program for healthcare
providers that blends virtual learning, hands-on clinical work and sustained mentorship.
Since 2020, this innovative program has trained more than 20 pediatricians from eight countries as
specialists, equipping them with the skills and confidence to deliver high quality palliative care for
children with serious illnesses. This training has improved care for at least 16,000 children and their
families, and more than 2,000 additional health workers have been trained by these pediatricians,
creating ripples of change throughout the region.
Looking ahead, Dr. Rayala will guide the Fellowship’s continued growth with an emphasis on quality
assurance, scalability and long-term sustainability. Her leadership will support the development of
future pediatric palliative care leaders in South and Southeast Asia and beyond.
“In a world often focused on divides, the Fellowship program reminds us that access to
compassionate care knows no borders. It is deeply moving to see how a small team of
dedicated individuals can be the catalyst for profound changes around the world. I am
inspired by this important work where we treat the suffering of children and families –
not because of what they can offer in return, but because their lives matter.”
— Dr. Spandana Rayala
Under Dr. Rayala’s leadership, the Fellowship will continue to deepen its impact – supporting health
professionals to deliver thoughtful, compassionate, culturally grounded care for children and families
worldwide.
“Dr. Rayala has shaped this Fellowship with integrity and vision. Her commitment to the
health and wellbeing of children and families, and to building compassionate and
equitable global networks of care, is inspiring. We are excited for what’s ahead.”
— Dr. Megan Doherty, Director, Pediatric Palliative Care, Two Worlds Cancer
Collaboration
Two Worlds Cancer Collaboration is a Canada-based charitable organization working to build
resilient healthcare systems that enable every person with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses to
access compassionate care and live with dignity, hope and the highest quality of life. In communities
where access to palliative care remains limited, TWCC supports healthcare providers through
transformative education, mentorship and innovation. Programs such as the Pediatric Palliative Care
Fellowship embody TWCC’s mission to promote equitable, evidence-based and locally driven
palliative care where it is needed most.
Media enquiries / Interviews:
Darah Hansen, Communications Lead, Two Worlds Cancer Collaboration
Email: darah.hansen@twoworldscancer.ca
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