March 18, 2026
In Memoriam: Vidya Raj, Cumming School of Medicine
The Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) is mourning the loss of Dr. Vidya Raj, MB ChB, a psychiatrist and clinical assistant professor. She was 49.
Vidya was born in Manchester, England, where she completed medical school at the Victoria University of Manchester, which included general practice training. She eventually moved to Nashville, Tenn., to complete her psychiatry residency and a fellowship in Psychosomatic Medicine at Vanderbilt University.
In July 2014, Vidya moved to ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ and joined the faculty at the ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ while founding the , which focuses on the mental health needs of patients with cardiovascular disorders. She was a professor in the departments of Cardiac Sciences and Psychiatry and a member of CSM’s Libin Cardiovascular Institute. Her clinical expertise included mood and anxiety disorders and the psychiatric management of individuals with heart disease.
Vidya placed tremendous value on education. She believed deeply in the power of learning — for everyone. She shared her knowledge and compassion through teaching Family Medicine residents as part of their mental health training, guiding future doctors with the same care and dedication she gave to her family.
Vidya’s husband, Satish, is a cardiologist and CSM faculty member. Vidya’s greatest joys in life were their two children, Priya (21) and Arvind (16), spending quiet evenings playing board games, sharing laughs during movies, or simply being together.
A funeral service will be held for Vidya at ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ Crematorium & Funeral Services (3219 4 St. N.W., ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ, in Queen’s Park Cemetery) on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 10 a.m., with a viewing from 9 to 9:50 a.m., and the cremation ceremony to follow.
To honour Vidya and her commitment to education, her family is setting up the Vidya Raj Memorial Endowment through the Libin Cardiovascular Institute and the ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ. This endowment will focus on the education and training of students early in their undergraduate and graduate education journey. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Vidya to this .
Read Vidya Raj’s obituary