Kavitha Ramchandran

Medical oncologist, Palliative medicine doctor, Thoracic specialist, Internal medicine doctor


Clinical Professor, Medicine - Oncology

View Professional Summary »


Additional Languages Spoken:
Spanish , Tamil

Biography


Kavitha Ramchandran MD, graduated with an undergraduate degree in Human Biology from Stanford University, did medical school and residency training in medicine at University of California, San Francisco and completed her fellowship in Medical Oncology and Palliative Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago. She joined faculty at Stanford University in 2010. Currently she is a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Oncology. She serves as the Medical Director of Cancer Care Services for the Stanford Cancer Center across the enterprise, and is the inaugural Chief of Mentoring and Career Development for the Division of Oncology.

Dr. Ramchandran is recognized for her contributions as a leader in the research of thoracic malignancies with a specific focus in thymic epithelial tumors. She serves as a principal investigator and sub-investigator on several research trials from early phase to phase II and phase III studies. The goal of these trials is developing novel approaches and identifying new targets for the treatment of both thoracic malignancies as well as rare tumors such as thymic epithelial tumors including thymoma and thymic cancers.

Dr. Ramchandran also has research focuses on developing care delivery models that incorporate values (patients, family members, and clinicians), as well as novel means of palliative care education. She does research on online education and in patient reported outcomes (PROs). She also is part of an active thoracic oncology trials group recruiting patients for clinical trials using novel therapeutics.

Dr. Ramchandran is recognized for her contributions as a leader in the integration of palliative and oncology care. Dr. Ramchandran is one of a small number of dual trained faculty who are working to build synergies between the fields of oncology and palliative medicine in the areas of supportive care research, and novel models of care. In her care of patients Dr. Ramchandran values a deep relationship with the families she cares for. She provides care that is aligned with the patient and family's personal values with the goal of the best quality of life and longevity possible.

Professional Summary


Education & Certifications
  • Residency: UCSF Dept of Internal Medicine (2007) CA
  • Fellowship: Northwestern University Hematology and Oncology Fellowship (2009) IL
  • Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Hospice and Palliative Medicine (2012)
  • Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology (2010)
  • Medical Education: University of California at San Francisco School of Medicine (2004) CA
  • Board Certification, Oncology, Oncology (2009)

Honors & Awards
  • Honoree, AACR/ASCO: Methods in Clinical Cancer Research (2009)
  • Honoree, Clinical Effectiveness Leadership Training- CELT (2014)
  • Nominee, Medical Residency Teaching Award (2012)

Memberships
  • Associate Chief of Mentoring and Career Development, Division of Oncology, School of Medicine (2021 - Present)
  • Geriatric Oncology Panel, National Comprehensive Cancer Network (2021 - Present)
  • Fellow, Center for Global Health, Stanford University (2020 - Present)
  • Palliative Care Panel, National Comprehensive Cancer Network (2020 - Present)
  • Medical Director, Cancer Care Services, Stanford Cancer Center (2019 - Present)
  • Faculy, Global Oncology- GO (2015 - Present)
  • Palliative Care Best Practices Committee, National Comprehensive Cancer Network (2014 - Present)
  • Patient and Survivor Care Committee, American Society of Clinical Oncology (2014 - Present)
  • Faculty, Global Resource to Advance Cancer Education (2012 - Present)
  • Board member, Cancer Awareness, Research and Education, San Francisco General Hospital (2002 - Present)

Administrative Appointments
  • Medical Director, Cancer Care Services, Stanford Cancer Center (2019 - Present)

Publications

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.

Open trials refer to studies currently accepting participants. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but may open in the future.


Practice Locations


Thoracic Cancer Program in Palo Alto Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto, CA

875 Blake Wilbur Drive

Palo Alto , CA 94304

(650) 498-6000

Make An Appointment More Clinic Information » Getting Here »

Palliative Care in Palo Alto Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto, CA

900 Blake Wilbur Drive

Palo Alto , CA 94304

(650) 498-6000

Make An Appointment More Clinic Information » Getting Here »

Patient Ratings

(26 Ratings)

Overall Rating
4.9/5

View Ratings by Category

4.9/5
Friendliness
Friendliness/courtesy of the care provider
4.9/5
Explanations
Explanations the care provider gave you about your problem or condition
5.0/5
Listens
Concern the care provider showed for your questions or worries
4.9/5
Care provider's efforts to include you in decisions about your care
Care provider's efforts to include you in decisions about your treatment
4.9/5
Recommended to others
Likelihood of your recommending this care provider to others
0.0/5
Wait times
Wait time at clinic (from arriving to leaving)

How Our Ratings Work

The Patients Ratings and comments are gathered from our Patient Satisfaction Survey and displayed in their entirety.

Patient Satisfaction Survey Disclaimer

Patient Reviews

(138 reviews)

Dr Ramchandran is outstanding and I am VERY grateful she is my doctor.
Dr. Ramchandran and her PA Jay are extremely kind and lovely people. They addressed all of my concerns with knowledge and compassion, and I feel I am in excellent hands under their care.
She is amazing really like her
Superb Doctor.
Dr. Ramchandran is a terrific doctor. She carefully listens to me, understands my concerns and involves me in all decisions regarding my treatment and health. I feel blessed to have her leading me through a difficult diagnosis.
She is a very nice doctor
Dr Ramchandran is a jewel. Her questions and comments tend to guide me into more thoughtful responses. She is very gentle and encouraging.
DR. R and her team are the best!!!
Dr. Ram hand ran is very knowledgeable and kindness. We are lucky to have her.
Dr. Kavitha Ramchandran is extremely thorough. I can’t think of anything.
Good doctor
Dr. Ramchandran is very professional, extremely compassionate!!! Thank you doctor!!!
I have been living with and fighting cancer for almost 2 decades there are no words that can do any justification whatsoever in any shape or form to describe Dr Ramchandrans passion and commitment to her patients and field only way possible would be in hieroglyphs or emojis ðŸ˜‡â ¤ï¸ would have to be and angel and heart I am we are truly blessed to have Dr Ramchandran to be by our side through these very difficult times in our lives thank you to all of the amazing individual who all together make the greatest team and hospital in the world and to set the standard of true care and excellence I’m am for ever grateful I would not be here alive today if it was not for my family my standford family
She is a wonderful doctor!
I am so grateful to have Dr. Ramchandran as part of my care team at Stanford. The telehealth visit is always very through and informative. She is also very kind and caring. I feel encouraged and energized by the visits while dealing with a cancer diagnosis.
She gives good explanations about treatment options and decisions, given the changing facts and circumstances we are having to deal with.
Doctor Ramchandran is a great, professional, empathic doctor. Thank you doctor!!!
Nice doctor
Doctor Ramchandran is very empathetic to my situation, and a great, professional doctor. Thank you doctor!!!
Best doctor ever! Listens and is extremely knowledgeable and helpful! Makes us feel very well cared for.
She is a wonderful doctor.
Dr. Ramchandran is great knowing exactly what I mean to say about my condition. Thank your doctor for your support!!!
She was very good, very thorough!
Dr R is fantastic, I’m lucky to have her as my oncologist
Dr. Ramchandran was very attentive and informative. I liked how she explained everything and was courteous and listened well to my comments and concerns. I also appreciate how well she works with my local oncologists and has become a part of my team of doctors. She inspires confidence in the treatment plan going forward. I am thankful to be her patient.
Dr. Ramchandan and her team were very kind, knowledgeable, and thorough in their explanations of treatment options.
Doctor Ramchandran is a very empathetic, knowledgeable, and professional doctor. She gives me great support on this terrible medical journey I'm on. Thank you doctor Ramchandran!!!
My doctor is continuously supplying information and support that I might need and she has my utmost respect and confidence I love my doctor
Her expertise his already added six years to my life and it seems like she will continue to do so.
She is a great doctor with warm heart and very knowledgeable!
She's great -- what more can I say. Understanding, sees the big picture, works to integrate various disciplines.
Dr. Ramchandran is very empathetic and very helpful doctor. She cares a lot for her patients!
She was extremely helpful and very personable.
Dr. Ramchandran was very caring and pleasant. She covered all the issues in detail and gave me plenty of chances to ask questions and answer all the questions patiently. The video visit is as good as an in-person visit.
I'm so pleased that Stanford offers Palliative Care. Dr Ramchandran is a wonderful addition to my oncology care team! She is always compassionate and caring. And she always has excellent suggestions for improving my quality of life.
How a young professional can exude caring about her patients, I do not know. But, she does. We appreciate her and her medical overview. To a long successful life and career...!
Thank you for your unwavering love, care and support. You have allowed my father over five years of great quality of life due to your knowledge and skillful treatment and attention.
Dr. Ramchandran is very empathetic to my medical needs, thank you doctor! She works closely with all my oncologist team. Thank you all!
She seems very thoughtful and concerned about my wellbeing.
Dr. Kavitha Ramchandran is the best, always has been. I was extremely unsettled emotionally and just seeing and hearing her words calmed me down and cheered me up. Grateful.
Dr.Kavitha Ramchandran is a doctor who exudes wisdom without being syrupy. She made me feel safe talking about treatment choices, the correctness of choices, the newer timing choices while validating much of what was presented. She cared about our family support system, and whether we were worried about finances. The treatable aspects were calmly discussed, embuing confidence we really liked her. Many technical. Areas were covered in such a short time. Thank you, Dr. Kavitha Ramchandran.
We have good communication when the tech part is working well.
She is a very good listener and a compassionate doctor. She does not rush visits and makes sure all issues are thoroughly covered.
Doctor Ramchandran is an excellent, empath doctor who does all her Action Items really quick. Thank you doctor! I'm traveling, and she contacted the other doctor whom I needed an answer, and doctor Ramchandran did it as soon as we finished our video doctor's appointment. MCM
Kavitha Ramchandran is a gifted practitioner who listens well and responds intelligently and with grace. People with incurable disease can speak openly to such a listener, perhaps even get into touch with feelings and medical preferences of which they were unaware. Empathetic listening is an elixir for people who are always being "told" what they should do. It frees them to speak from their hearts and know that they will be heard. Modern medicine is often "selling" a therapy or treatment that the patient feels uneasy about but might hesitate to say. Some people are hesitant to disappoint, let alone contradict, their doctors.
Dr Ramchandran is very knowledgable, kind and compassionate.
Dr Ramchandran is such a pleasure to work with. She is always so helpful, positive and encouraging. I am so pleased that I am able to receive Palliative Care at Stanford.
Dr. Ramchandran shows empathy and professionalism to me all the time. Thank you doctor!
She is so thoughtful and caring as always. Everyone who works with her is the same and can really learn from her since she is the definition of excellence.
I am so happy to have Dr. Ramchandran as my doctor. I balked at getting palliative care but so glad I did. She is so helpful.
She is the best doctor ever and her auxiliary staff is also amazing!
Dr. Ramchandran did an excellent job, she’s referring me to be back and continue with a new chemotherapy.
I can't say enough wonderful things about Dr. Ramchandran. She's professional and a the same time, incredibly empathetic and I always feel better after talking to her. She provides information and help in as positive light as possible and never minimizes my struggles throughout this journey.
I was referred by Kaiser. All the interactions I have had thus far with everyone at Stanford has been great!
Dr Ramchandran is wonderful. She really helps clarify my thoughts by hearing what I say and offering great advice. She's empathetic, kind, professional, understanding, and just overall wonderful to interact with. I can't say enough good things about her.
Dr. Ramchandran is an extremely empathic doctor which helps me to honestly tell her about both my body pains as well a any emotional pain (loss of my kitti). She's great in making you feel treated with your needs. Thank you doctor!
I am excited to be working with her and her team.
Thank you for caring so much. Your support means everything to us. You are very knowledgeable and have given my father five extra years to live already. We cannot thank you enough.
I am very impressed with all employees I encountered at Stanford. Exemplary institution. Especially was impressed with Dr. Ramchandran and her Fellow
Thank you Dr. Ramchandran for always providing thorough and excellent care! I'm so grateful that Stanford offers Palliative Care and that you are part of my team at Stanford.
Dr. Ramchandran is very valuable to me because she has the plan, along with my other doctors, to help me manage my pain and ailments. She's genuinely a caring doctor. Thank you doctor Ramchandran!
Dr Ramchandran is a caring, warm professional. She balances being a doctor and being a human well. Even when we have difficult conversations, she is empathetic and understanding. I can't recommend her enough.
She was very pleasant to talk to, and answered all questions to my satisfaction
Dr. Kavitha Ramchandran is awesome!!!!!
She's simply the best and I feel so lucky to have her as my oncologist.
I found Dr Ramchandran very caring and patient. I believe she listened and heard my concerns with a warm and professional attitude
A great doctor and a caring human being.
Dr. Ram hand ran is the most compassionate, kind, caring doctor I have ever had. How very lucky I was assigned to her. I’m truly blessed.
She has saved my life more than once, and did it in an almost angelic fashion.
Good listener's
Great doctor, great attending docs and great hospital.
Dr. Ramchandran is very empathetic. She agreed with my theory that anger brought from why I have an umbilical hernia brings mental problems to me.
Very satisfactory visit. All questions were answered
Dr Ramchandran was wonderful. I am lucky to have her as part of my care team.
I am so happy to have Dr Ramchandran on my health care team. She is awesome. She listens and tries to help me more than any other doctor on my team.
She listen to me very patiently and provided some good ideas for me for help.
I very much appreciate Dr. Ramchandra being part of my care team at Stanford.
Excellent
I have been fighting cancer for almost 15 years since Dr Ramchandran has came into my life I am able to function cause of her and the team I’m for ever grateful
Dr Ramchandran is exceptional and caring
Dr. Ramachandran is very , very kind to approach me and warm to my afflictions. Very professional!
Kavitha is a huge help. She really wants to make sure that I have what I need to thrive. I can’t say enough wonderful things about her.
I very much appreciate the palliative care Dr. Ramachandran offers at Stanford.
Doctor Kavitha Ramchandran is a very professional doctor she really cares about the patient. She is always looking for the best way to help. Doctor Kavitha Ramchandran understand my condition and gives me hope. Thank you Doctor Kavitha Ramchandran.
Dr. Ramchandran was very nice , knowledgeable, helpful and compassionate. My wife & I appreciated the time spent on the video conference with her & her team.
Dr. Kavitha has been vety good with explaining my situation and any alternative treatments. I've enjoyed being her patient and would recommend her to all my family and friends. I'm very thankful for having her on my team of doctors at Stanford Hospital. She's kind, informative, patient and shows empathy and tries to understand the patients point of view. Thank you Dr. Kavitha for being such a Wonderful Doctor and for taking care of me.
Dr. Ramchandran is the best! Knowledgable, kind, professional and cares about my outcome. I'd recommend her in a heartbeat.
She is excellent
She is an amazing doctor and I am grateful to be a patient of hers. I live in Stockton so it is far to go to see her and usually go every three months. It would be nice to check in with her on video calls in between as I just did and hope to do again in the future.
The Doctor Kavitha Ramchandran is an excellent and professional doctor, She always really cares about the patient. She looks for the best way to help me deal with the pain and my well-being. Thank you Doctor Kavitha Ramchandran.
Very caring and understanding..
Top notch! I'm so glad to have started seeing Dr Ramchandran.
Dr. Ramchandran is kind, compassionate, has a sense of humor, and able to build trust and rapport with me and my husband. She is patient, a good listener and explains medical terms, procedures in simple, understandable, conversational language. She explains the risks and benefits of my cancer treatment plan and medications in a clear and direct manner. I hold Dr. Ramchandran in high regard and utmost respect. I would recommend her to others with no reservations.
I have been seeing Dr. Ramchandran for about 2 years. She has helped me get through a very difficult period of treatment with chances of survival at 30 to 40%. I went through many emotional swings including depression, fear/anxiety and insomnia to name a few. Also, I had to make many difficult treatment decisions during this time. Dr. Ramchandran was always there in an informed way that aided me in making the decisions. She always brought calmness, intelligence, compassion, insight and sincere caring to the conversation along with when appropriate a sense of humor. She spoke with me not at me. She made sure I understood what the options and outcomes would be. She followed up on what she said she would do. Many people think Palliative care is only available or used at end of life. In my case a very astute nurse suggested at the beginning of my treatment that I contact Palliative to help me with my emotional state and to make difficult treatment decisions. I owe a debt of gratitude to Dr. Ramchandran for providing the support I needed to get through this extremely difficult period in my life and along with the rest of my doctors for the success of my treatment.
Very helpful
Dr Ramchandran is exceptionally good at her job. She is honest, compassionate and very knowledgeable in matters of end of life. She is also extremely knowledgable about treatment options and medications for side effect management. My husband and I feel extremely lucky to have her on our care team!!!!!!!
Thank you for being such a good listener
Thank you
Doctor Kavita Ramchandran She is very professional Doctor and she really cares about the condition and situation of her patients. She is looking for all possible means to help her patients.thank you Doctor Kavitha Ramchandran.
She is an excellent doctor.
Dr. Ramchandran is the BEST doctor. She makes us feel very heard and is very responsive to our needs.
Thank you for listening
Dr. Berry and Dr. Ramchandran are the very best!
I felt heard by Dr. Ramchandran and the team. Solutions were clear and I appreciate that they are there to help me navigate this uncertain road.
Dr Ramchandran is extremely knowledgable both in cancer treatments, side effect management, and other palliative care issues. My husband and I are very happy to have her on our medical team!!
She was very clearly and very nice
Most excellent and caring physician. She helped me to see my way clear my end of life prepara
Dr. Ramchandran provides an empathic understanding of my issues. She is always present and looking for ways to help me. I feel free to talk with her about any subject. I have greatly appreciated Dr. Ramchandran assistance throughout my illness.
I would highly recommend both Dr. Kavitha Ramchandran and Dr. Surbhi Singhal.
Very good.
Dr. Schrarger referred me to Dr. Ramchandran (Oncology). I loved her & her assistant.
So thankful to have my care team.
The best care team ever.
Very happy with everything concerning our visit to Stanford but especially w/the time explanations, and overall information we received without even knowing all the right questions to ask.
Dr. "R." was great - thoughtful, kind open & very genuine. She made the experience so positive, and my family & I truly appreciated her.
This is my third consultation for an ongoing condition. I have been very well taken care of.
Great hospital. "Very good in general."
An excellent experience.
We couldn't be more satisfied with Dr. Ramchandran and Connie Li. They spent over one hour with us and made sure we agreed and understood everything. No MD or NP could have done better!
She is wonderful! She gave excellent care and shared information with my Oncologist at Kaiser in Valley. I think this will be a more hopeful outcome now.
Was told I would get a phone call from her the following week and I never did. I still have not heard back. Not happy I never got any kind of notice.
Great.
We love our new doctor she is great. She took everything we said seriously and showed empathy for us.
Good.
Very excellent doctor!
Wonderful team in every way.
Can't say enough good things about the Cancer Clinic.
Above & beyond - Dr. Ramchandran, had a surgeon nurse come in consult & look @ my infected port wound to assure "me" that it was healing properly "to ease my mind."
Very good.
The doctor & her staff are patient and thorough.
Doctor is very nice, warm & caring.
Dr. Ramchandran is wonderful.
Dr. & staff the best very happy to make our switch to Stanford.
Excellent experience.
It is good experience.
Last visit spent most time w/physicians asst. live in Santa Cruz and come to Stanford to see thoracic oncologist - would rather see her - PA very good but stage IV lung cancer - could use reg. oncologist totally - it's your reputation I come for.
Dr. Ramchandran is a dr. above all drs. She's knowledgeable, caring, and concerned genuinely for me. I'm not just a statistical number to her.
The best experience I have had with a doctor.

View More »

Referring Physicians

LOG INTO MEDLINK