Raj Devarajan grew up in India with a clear sense of direction. While many teenagers were still deciding on their future paths, he had already entered medical school at Madras Medical College at the age of fifteen. That early beginning reflected the focus and determination that would continue throughout his career.
Training Across Three of America's Best Universities
After graduating from medical school, he moved to the United States to continue his training at 3 leading institutions. He completed residencies in adult psychiatry at Yale University, child psychiatry at Harvard University, and internal medicine/gastroenterology at Tufts University.
By the time his fellowship at Tufts concluded in 1994, he had trained at three of the country’s most respected universities and gained broad clinical experience. This training helped shape his approach to patient care, giving him an understanding of both the physical and psychological aspects of health.
Thirty Years of Practice, One Procedure at a Time
Raj Devarajan, MD, founded Middlesex Gastroenterology, PC in 1994 and spent the next 29 years developing one of the busiest gastroenterology practices in Massachusetts. Before retiring from clinical medicine in 2023, he had performed more than 60,000 endoscopic procedures, reflecting both his experience and his long-term commitment to patient care.
Earlier in his career, Raj established the ERCP program at Emerson Hospital and Nashoba Valley Medical Center. This specialized procedure is used to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the bile ducts and pancreas. Launching the program required both technical expertise and leadership, and he successfully guided its development.
Raj worked closely with several hospitals, including Emerson Hospital, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Boston Children's Hospital, and Yale New Haven Medical Center. Throughout these roles, he earned a reputation for reliability and dedication.
Building Institutions, Not Just a Practice
In 2005, Raj founded ASC Middlesex Endoscopy Center, LLC, to provide patients with efficient care outside the hospital environment. He served as the facility's President until 2023. This effort reflected a recurring theme throughout his career: identifying needs and taking action to address them.
Raj's leadership extended beyond his own organization. He served as President of the Medical Staff at Emerson Hospital from 2015-2017 and as a Board member from 2015-2019. He also served as Past President of the Massachusetts Gastroenterology Association and the American Association of Gastroenterologists of Indian Origin, demonstrating professional leadership at both the state and national levels.
In addition to healthcare, he founded several companies in other industries, demonstrating an interest in innovation and business development beyond medicine.
Industry Recognitions and Accomplishments
Raj has served as a speaker for Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Forest Pharmaceuticals, and AstraZeneca. He has also worked as a consultant for Boston Scientific and Pentax Corporation.
In addition, he served on the Medical Advisory Boards of Cristcot Corporation and Allurion Corporation.
Raj's contributions have extended to public education as well. He has appeared on television programs discussing common gastrointestinal conditions in ways audiences could easily understand and apply.
Among his accomplishments, he holds a share of a patent for an HCA drug formulation that has been tested worldwide and is currently awaiting FDA approval. If approved, the treatment could become an important addition to existing therapeutic options.
Life Beyond Medicine
Outside his professional work, Raj enjoys a variety of activities, including golf, tennis, chess, bridge, and skiing. These interests provide balance alongside the demands of a career that often involves long hours and significant responsibility.
As the father of two adult children, he considers parenthood one of the most rewarding parts of his life. He also values giving back through charitable support and by creating opportunities for others.
One of his notable contributions was supporting a school in India. He also volunteers at the Acton Food Pantry, helping address local community needs and maintain strong community connections.
A Career Built on Depth and Expertise
Today, Raj serves as Global Medical Monitor at Cristcot. In this role, he applies his extensive clinical and regulatory experience to assess and support drug development programs.
The position allows him to build upon everything he learned throughout his years in clinical practice, enabling him to contribute to medicine on a broader scale.
Raj Devarajan has traveled a remarkable path since entering medical school at 15. Yet the principle that has guided him throughout his life remains the same: a commitment to understanding challenges thoroughly and addressing them with purpose and action.
