Malay S. Rao, MD

Malay Rao, MD, PharmD, Radiation Oncologist, takes a special interest in the treatment and research of head and neck cancer, prostate cancer and other genitourinary cancers, and breast cancer. Board-certified in radiation oncology, he has extensive expertise in various treatment options; including, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT), and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Dr. Rao holds certifications in SpaceOAR procedures, Optune treatments as well as in stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) from University of Texas - Southwestern. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor in Radiation Oncology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Prior to joining Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, Dr. Rao practiced as a radiation oncologist at Northeast Georgia Medical Center- an Emory University Hospital affiliate in the greater Atlanta region.

Dr. Rao graduated magna cum laude as a doctor of Pharmacy from the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutgers University. In his career as a pharmacist, he worked in community pharmacy, completed an internship with the FDA and advanced as a clinical director in the long-term care industry. His passion to serve and care for patients led him back to Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School for his medical degree. He completed residencies in internal medicine at Jersey Shore University Hospital, followed by radiation oncology at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital/Rutgers Cancer institute of New Jersey, where he served as Chief Resident while continuing to serve as a community pharmacist.

A committed researcher, Dr. Rao has authored several peer-reviewed publications and a book chapter and presented at international meetings. In addition, he is a member of medical organizations including American Society for Therapeutic Radiology Oncology. Dr. Rao has received numerous awards and honors, including “Certificate of Appreciation from United States Food and Drug Administration” and is consistently listed in “Top Doctors.”

Philosophy of Care:

The majority of the physicians are book-smart. That is good memorizers, good exam takers, fast learners, and high achievers, educationally. But, that’s not everything. This is just the beginning of the story in medicine. After years and years of contemplation, I came to realize that before anything else, you should really, really love others and enjoy making their lives better to become a good doctor. I treat my patients as friends or family members and as I would want to be treated.