Vinu Madhusudanannair, MD

Dr. Madhu received his medical diploma from University of Kerala in 2004.  While in medical school, he participated in a student exchange program with Karolinska University, Stockholm. He subsequently pursued a Master of Science in Molecular Biology from West Virginia University, working on breast cancer cell lines. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at Louisiana State University. Dr. Madhu then went on to complete specialized fellowship training in “Hospice and Palliative Care Medicine” and “Hematology and Medical Oncology” at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.  He also completed fellowship training in “Investigational Cancer Therapeutics” at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. While at MD Anderson, he helped design phase 1 clinical trials that lead to new cancer drugs being approved.

 

With board certifications in Medical Oncology, Hematology, Hospice and Palliative Care, and Internal Medicine, Dr. Madhu brings with him rich clinical experience working in a wide range of healthcare settings. He began his career as an attending medical oncologist in Thomas Cancer Center and Affiliated Hospitals, Charleston.  He had been an assistant professor at the Mays Cancer Center/ UT Health San Antonio. While at UT, he served as the lead medical oncologist for UT Health Sarcoma Center.  Prior to joining the START center, Dr. Madhu had been the 1st Medical Director of Uvalde Memorial Hospital Oncology Clinic, where he helped rebuild the Oncology clinic from scratch.  He has also served as the Alternate Hospice Medical Director for Uvalde Memorial Hospital. 

 

Dr. Madhu has been active in cancer clinical trials and has authored several peer- reviewed research publications. He has won the best research abstract award at the Fellow Research Competition, Texas Society of Clinical Oncology Conference.

 

Dr. Madhu treats all types of cancers and blood disorders at the START center. With his palliative care background, he aims to provide holistic cancer care in an empathetic and compassionate way.  He firmly believes in the patient's central role as a partner in formulating a treatment plan, considering each patient’s values and goals of care.

 

During the time that he is not catching upon latest cancer research, he enjoys reading economics and history, and spending time with his family.