Dr Prasada Rao has taken over the directorship of Hyderabad-based Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) for a term of three years, on Thursday.

Dr Rao, a cardiac surgeon by profession and a recipient of Padma Shree in 2001, said that his focus would be on transforming NIMS on par with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences and make advanced medical care affordable.

He earlier served as the chief cardio-thoracic surgeon at CARE Hospital and vice-chairman and managing director at Quality Care India Ltd (CARE Group of Hospitals). He is president-elect at Indian Association of Cardiovascular- Thoracic Surgeons.

Dr Rao was associated with the first coronary bypass surgery in the state in 1985.