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Medical Gastroenterology

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About the department

The Department of Medical Gastroenterology was officially established in 1997, though services had been rendered by a Medical Gastroenterologist since 1986. Initially, the department shared outpatient, endoscopy, and inpatient services with the Department of General Medicine. In 2017, a dedicated 30-bedded inpatient ward, separate endoscopy, and ERCP suites were inaugurated at the new Centenary Building. With the addition of state-of-the-art equipment including ERCP scopes, endoultrasonography, pediatric and double-balloon enteroscopes, and advanced manometry systems, the department significantly enhanced its clinical services. In 2019, as per MCI guidelines, faculty strength was increased, and approval was granted for the DM Medical Gastroenterology course (4 seats/year). In July 2024, the department was relocated to the Superspeciality JICA Block (3rd Floor), featuring dedicated ICUs, endoscopy units, and cutting-edge imaging systems.
Email: [email protected]

HOD Desk

Dr. T. Ravishankar, MD, DM,

Head of the Department

Dr. T. Ravishankar, MD, DM, is a highly experienced Gastroenterologist with over 22 years of service as a Professor. Having progressed through the academic ranks from Junior Resident to Senior Resident, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and finally Professor, he brings extensive clinical and teaching expertise to the department. He is a respected member of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology – Tamil Nadu Chapter, and currently serves as the Department Nodal Officer for CMCHIS. Under his leadership, the department has grown into a centre of excellence for patient care, research, and postgraduate education.

Faculties

C. Hannah Ueno
Assistant Professor
Katherine Panagakos earned her M.A. in Classics from Tulane University and her Ph.D. in Greek and Latin from The Ohio State University. During her graduate work, she was a student at The American School of Classical Studies at Athens (ASCSA) and was a field walker and camp manager at the Eastern Korinthia Archaeogical Survey (EKAS). Katherine spent three years in a rotating position at schools in the Associated Colleges of the South (Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX; Furman University in Greenville, SC; and Rhodes College in Memphis, TN).
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Thomas Fred
Associate Professor
Katherine Panagakos earned her M.A. in Classics from Tulane University and her Ph.D. in Greek and Latin from The Ohio State University. During her graduate work, she was a student at The American School of Classical Studies at Athens (ASCSA) and was a field walker and camp manager at the Eastern Korinthia Archaeogical Survey (EKAS). Katherine spent three years in a rotating position at schools in the Associated Colleges of the South (Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX; Furman University in Greenville, SC; and Rhodes College in Memphis, TN).
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Jennifer Aarons
Professor of Art
Katherine Panagakos earned her M.A. in Classics from Tulane University and her Ph.D. in Greek and Latin from The Ohio State University. During her graduate work, she was a student at The American School of Classical Studies at Athens (ASCSA) and was a field walker and camp manager at the Eastern Korinthia Archaeogical Survey (EKAS). Katherine spent three years in a rotating position at schools in the Associated Colleges of the South (Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX; Furman University in Greenville, SC; and Rhodes College in Memphis, TN).
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Professors
Michael McGarvey
Professor of Literature
Katherine Panagakos earned her M.A. in Classics from Tulane University and her Ph.D. in Greek and Latin from The Ohio State University. During her graduate work, she was a student at The American School of Classical Studies at Athens (ASCSA) and was a field walker and camp manager at the Eastern Korinthia Archaeogical Survey (EKAS). Katherine spent three years in a rotating position at schools in the Associated Colleges of the South (Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX; Furman University in Greenville, SC; and Rhodes College in Memphis, TN).
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Course Handling

DM

Medical Gastroenterology (Superspeciality)

Research and Publications

Ongoing research

  • Study of non-obstructive dysphagia using high-resolution manometry

  • Correlation of SAAG with esophageal varices in tertiary care hospital

  • Correlation of uric acid to HDL ratio with hepatic steatosis in MASLD patients

  • Evaluation of obscure upper GI bleeding

  • Comparison of APRI and FIB-4 scores with Fibroscan in cirrhosis evaluation

  • Clinical presentation of EHPVO in a tertiary setting

  • Risk factors associated with sarcopenia in liver cirrhosis

  • Association of Vitamin D levels with disease activity in IBD patients

Publications

[1] V. Arulselvan, “Rodenticide ingestion is an important cause of acute hepatotoxicity in Tamil Nadu,” Indian Journal of Gastroenterology, Aug. 2021.

[2] V. Arulselvan, “Clinical profile of newly diagnosed colorectal cancer patients in Tamil Nadu,” Indian Journal of Gastroenterology, Feb. 2024.

[3] A. Mubin S. P., “Platelet to lymphocyte and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratios as indicators of mucosal activity in ulcerative colitis: A study at a tertiary care hospital in Tamil Nadu,” International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Jul. 2023.

[4] P. S. Kripal, “Lille score as predictor of response to corticosteroids and short term mortality in severe alcoholic hepatitis,” International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Nov. 2023.

Achievments

Faculties

  • Part of multicentric study on rodenticide ingestion and hepatotoxicity in Tamil Nadu

  • Contributor to colorectal cancer profile assessment studies across the state

Students

  • Dr. Kripal: University Gold Medalist for highest academic scores

  • Dr. Surabhi:

    • 2nd Prize, Oral Plenary Session, TNISGCON 2024

    • 3rd Prize, E-Poster, TNISGCON 2023

  • Dr. Sony Thomas:

    • 2nd Prize, Plenary, TNISGCON 2025

    • 2nd Prize, Midterm ISGCON 2024

  • Dr. Sathish Kumar:

    • 1st Prize, Poster Presentation, TNISGCON 2025

Events and Services

Academic events

  • 2022 – Emerging Treatment in Liver Disease (CME)

  • 2019 – A CME on NAFLD

  • 2024 – Advancements in Endoscopy: Narrow Band Imaging

  • 2019 – Talk on MASLD (Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease)

  • 2024 – Viral Hepatitis Control Program awareness and screening initiative

Community Services

  • Outpatient consultation and diagnostic services for the general public

  • 30-bed inpatient care with ICU facilities

  • Therapeutic and diagnostic upper GI endoscopy and colonoscopy

  • Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and enteroscopy services

  • Manometry diagnostics for esophageal and anorectal disorders

  • Participation in government schemes such as CMCHIS for public benefit

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