Curriculum Vitae – Abstracts & Publications

Abstracts:

  • Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci in Transplant patients. V. Sastry, M.D., P.J.

Brennan, M.D., N. Fishman, M.D., A Heam, M.D., PH.D. University of Pennsylvania

Health Systems, Philedelphia, PA

  • An outbreak of Gram-Negative Bactermias (GRNA) in an Outpatient Hemodialysis Center,
  1. Paradiso, M.D., V. Sastry, M.D., S. Peterson, A. Wasserstein, M.D., P.J. Brennan, M.D.

University of Pennsylvania Health Systems, Philadelphia, PA.

  • Fungal Sepsis in ICU: Analysis of an Outbreak. V. Sastry, M.D., ACP, Florida

Chapter, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. September 1996

(4)     Streptococcal Meningitis Revisited:   V. Sastry, M.D., ACP, Florida

Chapter, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.                        September 1996.

  • Primary Anaerobic Psoas Abscess: Sastry, M.D., ACP Florida

Chapter, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.                       September 1996.

  • Fulminant Hepatic Failure and Steven’s Johnson’s Syndrome: An

unusual case. V. Sastry, M.D., Sarasota, Fl 1997.

  • Emphysematous Pyelonephritis: An Understated Disease. Sastry,

M.D. \                                                       Sarasota, Fl.  1997

  • Systemic Necrotizing Vasculitis: A presentation of HIV. Sastry,

M.D. Sarasota, Fl  1997

  • Blastoschizomyces Capitatus: Report of a Case and Review of

Literature. V. Sastry, M.D.  Boca Raton, Fl.  1998

  • Inflammatory Abdominal Aortic Aneurism: An unusual case. L.

Mohai, M.D., C. Mohai, M.D., V. Sastry, M.D.  1999

  • Group B Streptococcal Meningitis: A Rare Occurrence in Adult

Males. V. Sastry, M.D., V. Chari, M.D., R. Hall, M.D. Second

Annual Conference on Gram – Positive Cocci Infections, Las Vegas, May 12-13 2000.

  • Resistance Pneumonocal Meningitis in the Nursing Home.
  1. Sastry, M.D., S. Shanmugham, M.D. Second Annual Conference on Gram – Positive Cocci Infections, Las Vegas, NV. May 12-13 2000.
  • Serious Infections Due to S. Pneumoniae: A Case for Universal

Vaccination? V. Sastry, M.D., R. Lamba, M.D. Second Annual Conference on  Gram – Positive Cocci Infections, Las Vegas, NV. May 12-13 2000.

  • Capitatus – A New and Emerging Pathogen. V. Sastry, M.D., 10th

Annual Focus on Fungal Infections. Atlanta, GA March 29-31, 2000.

  • Aspergillus – A Virulent Oppurtunist. V. Sastry, M.D. 10th Annual

Focus on Fungal Infections. Atlanta, GA March 29 – 31 2000.

  • Invasive Crytococcal Infections – Presented at Focus on Fungal

infections, in Atlanta, June, 2000.

  • Crytococcal Meningitis: A Manifestation of Idiopathic CD4

Lymphocytopenia: Presented at Focus on Fungal Infections,

March 2001

  • Idiopathic CD4 – Lymphocytopenia- A Rare Case of Immune

Deficiency – Presented at ACP Meeting, Ft. Lauderdale – April 2001.

  • Re- Current Angina – A Manifestation of Temporal Arthritis: H.

Garcia, M.D., J. Idicula, M.D., V. Sastry, M.D. To be presented at

The American College of Physicians Meeting in Florida Chapter –

April 2001.

PRECEPTOR SHIP:

  • Antifungal Rx. May 26, 2000.
  • Management of HIV. May 30, 2000.
  • Serious Infections. July 31, 2000.
  • Fungal Infections – December 2000
  • Practice Principles, Infectious Diseases, Feb. 2001.
  • Treatment of critically ill patients, Oct. 2001.

PUBLICATIONS:

  • Vancomycin – Resistant Entercocci: An Emerging Pathogen in Immunosuppressed Transplant Recipients. V. Sastry, M.D., P.J. Brennan, M.D., N. Fisher, M.D., K.L. Brayman, M.D., PhD., University of Pennsylvania Health Systems, Philadelphia, P.A. Transplantation Proceedings.
  • The Cutaneous Manifestation of Rapidly – Growing Mycobacteria. V. Sastry, M.D., P.J. Brennan, M.D., In Dermatology Clinics – February 1995.

POSTERS:

  • An Outbreak of Gram-Negative (GRNA) Bacteremia’s in an Outpatient Hemodialysis unit, Presented at the Shea Meeting in April 1995 (M51).
  • Fungal Sepsis in ICU: Analysis of an Outbreak. Sastry, M.D., ACP, Florida Chapter,

Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. September 1996.

  • Streptococcal Meningitis Revisited: Sastry, M.D., ACP, Florida Chapter, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. September 1996.
  • Primary Anaerobic Psoas Abscess: Sastry, M.D., ACP, Florida Chapter, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.  September 1996.
  • Fulminant Hepatic Failure and Steve’s Johnson’s Syndrome: An Unusual Case. V. Sastry, M.D. Sarasota, Fl 1997.
  • Emphysematous Pyelonephritis: An Understated Disease?  Sastry, M.D., Sarasota, Fl. 1997.
  • Systemic Necrotizing Vasculitis: A presentation of HIV. V. Sastry, M.D. Sarasota, Fl., 1997.
  • Blastoschizomyces Capitatus: Report of a Case and Review of Literature. V. Sastry, M.D., Boca Raton, Fl. 1998.
  • Inflammatory Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: V. Sastry, M.D., L. Mohai, M.D., C. Mohai, M.D., V. Chari, M.D., Presented at the American College of Physicians Annual Meeting. Orlando, Fl. September 1999.
  • Group B Streptococcal Meningitis: A Rare Occurrence in Adult Males. V. Sastry, M.D., V. Chari, M.D., R. Hall, M.D. Second Annual Conference on Gram – Positive Cocci Infections, Las Vegas, NV. May 12-13 2000.
  • Resistant Pneumonocal Meningitis in the nursing home. V. Sastry, M.D., S. Shanmugham, M.D. Second Annual Conference on Gram – Positive Cocci Infections, Las Vegas, NV. May 12-13 2000.
  • Serious Infections Due to S. Pneumonia: A Case for Universal Vaccination?  Sastry, M.D., R. Lambda, M.D. Second Annual Conference on Gram – Positive Cocci Infections,  Las Vegas, NV. May 12- 13 2000.
  • Capitatus – A New and Emerging Pathogen. V. Sastry, M.D., 10th Annual Meeting Focus on Fungal Infections. Atlanta, GA March 29-31 2000.
  • Aspergillus – A Virulent Opportunist. V. Sastry, M.D. 10th Annual Meeting Focus on Fungal Infections. Atlanta, GA March 29-31 2000.
  • Invasive Crytococcal Infections – Presented at Focus on Fungal Infections, in Atlanta, June, 2000.
  • Crytococcal Meningitis: A Manifestation of Idiopathic CD4 Lymphocytopenia: Presented at Focus on Fungal Infections, March 2001.
  • Idiopathic Case – Lymphocytopenia- A Rare Case of Immune Deficiency – Presented at ACP meeting. Ft. Lauderdale, April 2001.

PRESENTATIONS:

Vancomycin – Resistant Entercocci: An Emerging Pathogen in Immune- Suppressed Transplant recipients. Presented at the World Congress of Transplatation in Kyoto, Japan.  V. Sastry, M.D., P.J. Brennan, M.D., A. Levy M.D., K.L. Brayman, M.D. Ph.D. University of  Pennsylvania Health Systems, Philadelphia, PA.

COMMENDATIONS:

  • Named as a top notable leader in community for Infection Control. JACHO, 1997.
  • Award for outstanding poster presentation on Fungal Sepsis in ICU “Analysis of an Outbreak”. V. Sastry, M.D., ACP, Florida Chapter, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl September 1996.
  • Award for outstanding poster presentation on Emphysematous Pyelonephritis, An Understated Disease? V. Sastry, M.D., ACP, Florida Chapter, Sarasota, Fl. September 1997.
  • Lifetime member in Strathmore’s Who’s Who for Excellence in Profession of Infectious Diseases.
  • National Leadership Award, Honorary Co – Chairman, Physician’s Advisory Board, Republican Congressional Committee.
  • Award for most outstanding Clinical Professor for excellence in teaching. USF, Tampa, Fl. December 1, 2000.
  • VIP member in Strathmore’s Who’s Who for Excellence in Profession of Infectious Diseases.
  • Member National Speakers program, Merck Pharmaceuticals
  • Member National Speaker Program, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals

(10)    Speaker, Advanced Med; Treatment of Hepatitis C

MULTICENTER STUDIES:

  1. Oral 256U87 Safety, Pharmacokinetics and Suppression of CMV in Renal Allograft Recipients, Investigator.
  2. Use of Avelox for community acquired respiratory infections in an outpatient setting, March, 2000.
  3. Zorro trial – use of Ziagen in HIV + patients, outpatient setting, June, 2000 – current

RESEARCH:

  • See Above.
  • Epidemiology and Demographics of Nosocomial Acinetobacter Infections at A Tertiary Care Hospital.
  • Investigation of In- Hospital Practices in Diagnoses and Management of Tuberculosis at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
  • Analysis of Outbreaks in Relation to Oak Hill Hospital, Spring Hill Regional and Brooksville Regional Hospital.
  • Clinical trials:
  1. “Zorro trial” – efficacy of the use of Ziagen in HIV infected patients.
  2. Avelox trial – efficacy of use of Avelox for the treatment of outpatient respiratory diseases.
  3. Recap trial – for the use of Rebetron for the treatment of Hepatitis C.

TEACHING RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Mechanisms of Infection – Core Lectures at the University of Pennsylvania, 1992- 1994.
  • Student Lectures –

Antiretroviral Therapy 1992 -1994 .

Treatment of Opportunistic

Infections in HIV Infected Patients.

  • The University of South Florida
  • Mandel Club
  • Clinical Case Presentations
  • Lectures at James Haley VA, Tampa, Moffitt Cancer center.
  • Teaching Attending, Division of Infectious Disease, James Haley VA, Tampa, Fl.
  • Submit questions for ABIM Certification Examinations.
  • Teaching rounds, USF, James Haley VA, Tampa

 

INVESTIGATOR – ADVISORY BOARD MEETINGS:

  1. Tampa, 2000 – A new Flouroquinolone, – Smith-kline-Beechum.
  2. Chicago – Anti-retroviral therapy, national conference on retroviruses, September, 2000 .
  3. Antifungal Treatment – Pasadena, California, May 2001
  4. Optional use of Quinolones – Puerto Rico, July 2001
  5. Optimal use and clinical use of ‘Cancidas’, Orlando, Feb. 2000.
  6. Emerging pathogens, Naples, Florida March 2003

 

CLINICAL CONFERENCES/LECTURES:

  • Leprosy, at University of Pennsylvania. 1992
  • Trypanosomiasis, at University of Pennsylvania. 1992.
  • Tuberculosis, Spring Hill Regional Hospital, 1995.
  • One Daily dose of Aminoglycosides, Bayonet Point, Hudson, Fl 1996.
  • Case Presentations – Bayonet Point Hospital, 1997.
  • Case Presentations – USF, 1997.
  • HIV Disease – Pharmacology of Antiretrooviral Treatment and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in HIV Disease. At Florida Pharmaceutical Association, New Port Richey, Fl. (by invitation) 1997.
  • Annual Lecture on HIV, all aspects, for Medical Staff – Oak Hill Hospital, 1999.
  • Antibiotic Resistance – Bayonet Point Hospital, 1999.
  • Annual Lecture on HIV – all aspects, for Nursing Program – Spring Hill Regional Hospital, 1999.
  • Meningitis – Division of Medicine at James Haley VA, 1999 and at Moffitt Cancer Center 1999.
  • Osteomyelitis – Moffitt Cancer Center, 1999.
  • Pulmonary Infectious Disease Conference, Clinical Case Presentations at James Haley VA, 1999.
  • Critical Care Infectious Disease Conference, Case Presentations at James Haley VA, 1999.
  • Infectious Disease, Clinical Case Presentations, Division of Infectious Disease, University of South Florida, 1999.
  • Epidemiology and Management of Hepatitis C – Oak Hill Hospital – August 25, 2000.
  • Management of Serious Infections – Spring Hill Regional Hospital – June 1, 2000.
  • Ground Rounds Sepsis – Sepsis Syndrome – Spring Hill Regional Hospital – June 7, 2000.

(19)   Management of Sepsis – Oak Hill Hospital June 20, 2000.

(20)   Clinical Case Reviews – James Haley VA – September 2, 2000.

(21)   Latest Treatment, Guidelines of Community Acquired Pneumonia – Oct 17, 2000.

(22)   Hepatitis “C” – Update – Oak Hill Hospital – September 2000.

(23)   Treatment of Serious Infections – September 2000.

(24)   Impact of Hepatitis “C” – Bayonet Point Hospital – January

2001.

(25)   Ground Rounds, “Antifungal Therapy” – April, 2001, Spring Hill Regional Hospital.

(26)   Treatment, Pathogenesis of HIV – Citrus County Health Dept, May 2001.

(27)   Community Acquired Pneumonias, Feb 2001.

(28)   HIV Lecture for Licensure Requirements, at Oak Hill Hospital, Oct. 11, 2001.

(29)   Discussion on Bio-Terrorism, at Pine brook Medical Center, October 2001.

(30)   Discussion of Bio-Terrorism, at Citrus Medical Society, November  2001.

(31)   Annual Lecture on HIV, August, 2001, held for all health professionals, Hernando County.

(32)   Lecture on the latest treatment options for HIV, Pasco Medical Society, December 2001.

(33)   Principals of antiviral therapy, Spring Hill, Florida October 2002

(34)   Treatment of Sepsis, Citrus County, Florida November 2002

(35)   Skin, Soft Tissue Infections, Spring Hill, Florida December 2002

(36)   Skin, Soft Tissue Infections, Plantation, Florida December 2002

(37)   Judicious use of antibiotics for community acquired pneumonia, Ocala, Florida February 2003

(38)   Principles of antifungal therapy, at pharmacy regional conference Tampa, Florida March 2003

(39)   Principles of HIV therapy, Pinnacle Medical Center Spring Hill, Florida  April, 2003

(40)   Skin, Soft tissue infections, Indian Rocks Beach, Florida April 2003

(41)   Skin, Soft tissue infections, Dothan, Alabama May 2003

(42)   Skin, Soft tissue infections, Tallahassee, Florida May 2003

(43)   Skin, Soft tissue infections, Orlando, Florida May 2003

(44)   Office roundtable; Resistant infections; Spring Hill, Florida July 2003

(45)   Office round table; Resistance in Infections; Spring Hill, Florida July 2003

(46)   Annual credentialing lecture on HIV; Oak Hill Hospital, Spring Hill, Florida July 2003

(47)   Skin, soft tissue infections; Ocala Surgical Group, Ocala, Florida July 23, 2003

(48)   Pinnacle Conference Center, Co-infection, Hepatitis C and HIV; CME lecture; Spring Hill, Florida

(49)   Skin & soft tissue infections; Lecture; Lake City, Florida, July 24, 2003

(50)   Resistant Infections; Round table, Inverness, July 25, 2003

(51)   Lecture on C. difficile colitis for Regional Meeting Infection Control Practitioners & State; Orlando, Florida; August 2003

(52)   Hepatitis C & HIV co-infection; CEU lecture to Infection Control Practitioners; Ocala Florida; September, 2003.

(53)   Skin & soft tissue infections; Lecture to Infectious Diseases & E.R. Physicians; Miami, Florida; September, 2003

(54)   Roundtable, Community Acquired Pneumonias, Inverness, Florida November 13, 2003

(55)   Clostridium difficile colitis; Lecture to Infection Control Practitioners; Florida Hospital; November, 2003

(56)   C. difficile colitis, emerging resistant infections, Oak Hill Hospital, Spring Hill, Florida, March 30th, 2004

(57)   Emerging Fungal infections, Jacksonville, Florida May 19, 2004

(58)   Update on skin & soft tissue infections, Jacksonville, Florida May 19, 2004

(59)   Case studies: skin soft tissue infections, Sebring, Florida Roundtable – Florida Hospital June 10th, 2004

(60)   Update on fungal infections; Sebring, Florida, June 10th 2004

 

BOARD CERTIFICATION:

  •           Diplomat, American Board of Internal Medicine
  •           Diplomat, American Board of Infectious Diseases

 

HONORS:

 

  • Graduated with Honors.
  • Consistently in Top 5 of 100 throughout Medical School.
  • Distinction of National Merit in the following Undergraduate subjects for achievement of highest grades:

CURRENT POSITIONS:     

  • Attending Physician: – Brooksville Regional Medical Center

-Spring Hill Regional Medical Center

– Oak Hill Regional Medical Center

  • Director of Suncoast Infusion Centers of Hernando County

FUTURE INTERESTS:

  • Practice of Clinical Infectious Diseases.
  • Practice of Infection Control, Hospital Epidemiology.
  • Creation of a Home Antibiotic Network.
  • Creation of a Computerized System for the Analysis of Surveillance Data.
  • Creation and management of Infusion Centers.
  • Assist local Veterans in improving living conditions, and empowering the workforce
  • Assist youth in empowering themselves and gaining momentum in the workforce
  • Assist students in focusing on education and capabilities
  • Initiation of Wellness Center – including aerobic exercise, Tae-kwon -Do, Yoga

PERSONAL:

Married, R.L. Rao, M.D., Internist, Private Practice.

Two Children :-

  1. Advaith Rao, Chemical Engineer UC Berkeley, employed at Dow Chemical Company
  2. Aditya Rao, Bachelors Medical sciences, Masters in Cyber security, MBA

HOBBIES:

  • Teaching and Training in Korean Martial Arts (Tae Kwon Do), World Tae-kwon- Do. Black Belt, 2ND
  • Working on obtaining Third Degree Black Belt Tae Kwon Do
  • Competition in Tae-Kwon-Do – several tournaments in Florida, sponsored by the World Tae-Kwon-Do Federation. Multiple gold, silver, and bronze medals.
  • Won Silver medal in Forms competition, State Championship, 1999, Florida.
  • World Travel, since childhood.
  • Physical Fitness, weight – lifting and aerobic exercise daily.
  • Wellness, health management, combination of nutrition and exercise.
  • Photography – Was honored by holding an Exhibition held at Brooksville City Hall, July – August, 2001.

AWARDS:

  • Second Degree Black Belt Tae Kwon Do
  • Silver Medal in Forms competition Florida State Championship 1999
  • Marine Corps Award of Excellence presented by James Tuohy, National Commandant Marine Corps League and Vic Voltaggio, National Senior Vice Commandant, 2014
  • Marine Corps League “Distinguished Service Award” awarded March 20, 2014, by Commandant Marion Kelley.
  • Top Doctor award Infectious Disease specialist 2016, by Patient Reviews
  • Top Doctor award Infectious Diseases specialist 2017, by Patient Reviews
  • Leading Infectious Diseases Specialist Award given by Leading Physicians of the World, 2017
  • Top female Entrepreneur Award 2017 given by Indo-US Chamber of Commerce, by University of South Florida
  • Lifetime member of Strathmore’s – Who’s Who
  • VIP Member, Strathmore’s Who’s Who
  • Top Infectious Diseases Physicians of the Year 2018 award
  • Top 100 Registry – Industry leader – Business Leader @ Professionals
  • Pinnacle Professional Member – Continental Who’s Who – Professional of the year – 2018
  • Top Doctor award 2019
  • Continental Who’s Who – Lifetime achiever
  • Top 100 Registry – 2019
  • IAOTP – International Association of Top Physicians – Top Infectious Diseases Physician of the year 2019
  • Continental Who’s Who – Pinnacle Professional of the Year; Registry of National Business Leaders
  • Carrington Publishers – Top 500 Professionals of 2019
  • CUTV News Talk Radio series
  • CUTV News TV show
  • Empowering Professionals Magazine 2019
  • Leading Physicians of the world – awarded Top Infectious Disease Doctor in Florida for 2019 – 2020
  • “Albert Einstein Award Of Medicine“ for 2020
  • IAOTP – Top doctor Infectious Diseases for 2020
  • Women’s Business Enterprise National Council Certificate
  • Patient Preferred Physicians Award 2019, 2020
  • Creative Media Consultants – Top Doctor Award 2019, 2020
  • CUTV News Radio – Regarding Coronavirus Education
  • The Legacy Award of Honor-Carrington Publishers June 2020

ENTREPRENEURSHIP:

  1. Initiation of Infectious Diseases Practice in Hernando, Citrus, Pasco counties
  2. Initiation of Infusion centers in Hernando, Citrus, Pasco, counties
  3. Teaching at the VA – James Haley VA, while in private practice
  4. Multiple lectures for Pharmaceutical companies in several states
  5. Initiation of HIV care at the Health Department in Hernando County in 1995. Continued till 2008
  6. Continued care for underprivileged HIV patients at local hospitals during 1995 – 2008
  7. Continue to assist underprivileged HIV patients to obtain insurance for healthcare
  8. Creation of Veterans Empowerment for assistance in multiple areas for disadvantaged veterans
  9. Initiation of Imperial Granite Company
  10. Partner in Sterling Development and Construction
  11. Board Member of Indo-US Chamber of Commerce
  12. Association with VFW Brooksville Florida
  13. Chairman of Campaign Committee for Attorney Pam Vergara
  14. Initiation of Avatar-Lux Med Spa business
  15. The Legacy Award of Honor-Carrington Publishers June 2020
  16. Bay News 9 TV Infectious Disease Interview
  17. WWJB News Talk Radio Conversations

HOSPITAL SERVICES:

  1. Chairman Infection Control 1995 – 2005 at Brooksville Regional Hospital, Spring Hill regional Hospital, Oak Hill Regional Hospital
  2. Chairman P/T Committee 1995 – 2005 at Brooksville regional Hospital, Spring hill Regional Hospital, Oak Hill Regional Hospital
  3. Member of Department of Medicine Brooksville Regional Hospital, Spring Hill Regional Hospital 1998 – 2000
  4. Credentials Committee Brooksville regional Hospital 2018 – 2020
  5. Peer Review Committee Brooksville regional Hospital 2018 – 2020
  6. Chairman Spring Hill Regional Hospital, 2020 –
  7. Member Executive Committee, Brooksville Regional Hospital, Spring Hill Regional Hospital, 2020 – 

CURRENT RADIO/TV/VIDEO COMMUNICATIONS:

  1. CUTV News Show since 2018
  2. CUTV News tv show 2019
  3. CUTV Video 2020
  4. Bay News 9 TV Infectious Disease Interview
  5. WWJB News Talk Radio Conversations