Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Oct 31: Dr Vivian Mendonca, a globally respected physician and pharmaceutical leader, has been selected to receive the Dakshina Kannada (DK) district Kannada Rajyotsava Award for his outstanding contributions to the pharmaceutical industry and global healthcare access.
Born and raised in Mangaluru, Karnataka, Dr Mendonca is the son of Vincent Mendonca and Mabel Mendonca, married to Swetha Mendonca from Brahmavar, and hails originally from Shirva and Mulky. A proud alumnus of St Aloysius College, Mangaluru, and a medical graduate from Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Mangaluru, he embodies Karnataka’s enduring legacy of excellence, compassion, and service to humanity. He is an alumnus of JJMMC, Davanagere, where he completed his MD, and has also undergone leadership training at Duke's Fuqua School of Business in the USA.
With a distinguished career spanning more than two decades, Dr Mendonca has held senior global roles in leading biopharmaceutical organizations, pioneering strategies to ensure that scientific breakthroughs reach patients in need, particularly in oncology, rare diseases, and immunology. His leadership has played a transformative role in shaping global market access frameworks that enable sustainable and affordable access to innovative therapies across both developed and emerging markets.
As an international speaker and subject matter expert, Dr Mendonca has contributed extensively to global health congresses, policy dialogues, and expert forums, sharing thought leadership on patient access, value-based healthcare, and health system strengthening.
Dr Mendonca’s impact extends beyond corporate leadership to public health initiatives across Africa and the MENA region, where he has led programs improving access to life-saving medicines and strengthening healthcare systems. He played a key role in the ‘Hepatitis in Africa Call for Action’ initiative, which brought together scientific leaders, patient groups, and governments across sub-Saharan Africa to promote awareness, screening, and access to curative treatments — a milestone in the global fight against viral hepatitis.
Beyond his professional achievements, Dr Mendonca is a mentor and advocate for ethical, inclusive, and purpose-driven leadership in life sciences. His inspiring journey — from the classrooms of St Aloysius and KMC to the forefront of global health advocacy — reflects Karnataka’s values of intellect, service, and global citizenship.
In recognition of his distinguished service and remarkable contributions to global healthcare access, innovation, and India’s leadership in life sciences, Dr Vivian Mendonca will be conferred the Dakshina Kannada district Kannada Rajyotsava Award for distinguished service and contribution to the pharmaceutical industry.