Physician Profile: Usha Raj, M.D.

In 1998, Usha Raj, M.D. ventured into the backcountry of Nepal to deliver 45 boxes of crucial medical supplies for children. Her actions prevented early nutritional blindness and helped thousands. In November, 2001, when Dr. Raj was presented with information by PSR-LA about neonatal unites using DEHP products, she acted immediately. Bringing the information to the board of the California Association of Neonatologists, of which she is a member, she took it upon herself to secure support of a DEHP phase out. Then in December, Dr. Raj testified at an American Medical Association meeting and helped persuade that august body to resolve against using DEHP.

Usha Raj came to the United States after completing undergraduate, graduate studies and residency work in Bombay, India. Her post doctoral fellowship studies were completed at Tulane University, New Orleans and at the University of California, San Francisco. She is currently a Professor of Pediatrics at UCLA School of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Neonatology at Harbor UCLA Medical Center. She also directs the research in neonatology and is Co-Director of the Perinatal Research Center, Harbor-UCLA Research and Education Institute, Inc.