Dr. Shivani Samlall

Dr. Shivani Samlall

Founder & Chairperson, The Lotus Cancer Initiative Inc.

Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology | Gynecologic Oncology | Researcher | Professor | Women’s Health Advocate 

Dr. Shivani Samlall is a dedicated Obstetrician and Gynecologist with advanced training in Gynecologic Oncology. She is the Founder and Chairperson of The Lotus Cancer Initiative Inc., a non-profit organization committed to promoting cancer prevention, early detection, compassionate care, and research in Guyana. 

In addition to her clinical and advocacy work, Dr. Samlall serves as an Adjunct Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Guyana, where she plays a key role in teaching and mentoring OB-GYN residents, shaping the next generation of doctors and women’s health specialists.

Her passion for cancer care began in 2010 during a cervical cancer prevention training through JHPIEGO, where she witnessed firsthand the toll that late diagnoses and limited access to treatment take on women in Guyana. These experiences shaped her lifelong mission: to ensure that everyone—no matter where they live—has a fair chance at prevention, early detection, and quality care.

Dr. Samlall holds many specialized certifications including, Cervical Cancer Prevention Trainer of Trainers and Colposcopy and has been involved in training many health care providers across the country. A strong advocate for cervical cancer prevention, including HPV vaccination and screening. She has been involved in numerous outreach initiatives with the Ministry of Health and other partner organizations over the years. 

As a recognized leader in women’s health advocacy, Dr. Samlall has participated in multi-stakeholder consultations, delivered public education campaigns, published newspaper columns on women’s health with a focus on cancers, and contributed to national policy discussions on cervical cancer control. Her work includes the development of Guyana’s national algorithm for cervical cancer screening and prevention, and she continues to champion the integration of research and evidence-based strategies into women’s health programs.

Her passion for data-driven improvement in cancer outcomes has led her to conduct and support numerous research initiatives focused on strengthening health systems, promoting equity in access to care, and building local capacity for cancer prevention and treatment. Most recently, she participated in the FIGO 2025 World Congress held in Cape Town, South Africa, where she presented her research and engaged with global leaders in women’s health to advance collaborative approaches to cancer prevention and care.

Through The Lotus Cancer Initiative Inc., she envisions a Guyana where compassion meets data, where prevention is prioritized, and no one faces cancer alone.

Above all, she is a proud mother of three toddlers, who remind her daily of the importance of building a healthier, more hopeful future.