33rd Prof. M. Viswanathan Gold Medal Oration Award Presented to Dr. V. Shantha

Head and Chief Physician MV Diabetes North and South Chennai and Bengaluru.
Completed 34 years of practice.

Expertise

• President RSSDI [Research Society for Study of Diabetes in India] 2025.

• Honorary President D Foot International based in Belgium overseeing 193 countries.

• Hon Gen Secretary Association of Physicians [API] Chennai.

Research

• Research Interests: Diabetic Foot: Limb Salvage

• Diabetes and Kidney [Did his PhD in this field in 1999]

• Diabetes and TB [PI in RePORT India]

• Over 300 Research Publications in peer reviewed journals

Dr. G. Senthil is a Senior Consultant Surgeon specializing in Diabetic Foot Surgery, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, and General Surgery at MV Hospital for Diabetes. With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Senthil is a pioneer in conservative and limb-saving surgical approaches for complex diabetic foot complications. He holds an MBBS, MS in General Surgery, and MCh in Plastic Surgery. Known for his patient-centric and empathetic care, Dr. Senthil combines surgical expertise with global best practices to offer personalized, minimally invasive treatments for limb preservation.

25+ years of clinical and surgical experience

Specialized Expertise:

• Diabetic foot surgery

• Plastic and reconstructive surgery

• Preventive and deformity-corrective foot surgeries

• Conservative limb-saving surgical techniques

• Multidisciplinary team approach to complex diabetic foot cases

Distinguished Approach:

• Focus on limb salvage and amputation prevention

• Minimally invasive surgical methods

• Evidence-based, cost-effective, and personalized treatment

• Regularly updates and integrates international best practices

• Known for providing “last-hope” interventions in advanced diabetic foot complications

Academic & Professional Contributions:

• Actively shares clinical knowledge and surgical insights with the global medical community

• Advocates for early intervention and preventive strategies in diabetic foot management

• Engaged in hands-on training and mentoring of diabetic foot care professionals

• Participates in interdisciplinary forums and case discussions on limb salvage

Community & Patient Engagement:

• Promotes patient education on diabetic foot care and prevention

• Committed to holistic healing and long-term mobility for patients with severe complications

Dr. Abishek S.R is a Consultant Diabetologist at MV Hospital for Diabetes, Royapuram — an IDF Centre of Excellence in Diabetes Care. He completed his MD (MBBS) from Tbilisi State Medical University, Georgia (EU), followed by a Fellowship in Clinical Diabetology at MV Hospital for Diabetes. With 3 years of experience, Dr. Abishek brings a focused interest in the prevention of diabetes, the management of newer types of diabetes, and Type 1 diabetes care. He actively participates in research, public awareness, and professional education initiatives.

3+ years of experience in Diabetology

Special interests in:

• Newer forms of diabetes

• Diabetes prevention strategies

• Type 1 diabetes care

• Community-based screening and education

Certifications:

• Fellowship in Clinical Diabetology – MV Hospital for Diabetes

• Certificate course in Hypertension, Obesity, and Diabetes – Joslin Diabetes Center

Professional Memberships:

• Life Member, Indian Medical Association (IMA)

• Life Member, Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI)

Research & Publications:

• Poster presented at RSSDI National Conference (Delhi):
  Pulmonary function test and its association in Type 2 diabetes

• Poster presented at RSSDI Tamil Nadu Chapter:
  Prevalence of anemia in Type 2 diabetes in the absence of kidney disease

• Published a case report in TAPIJ:
  Diabetic Amyotrophy – A rare complication of diabetic neuropathy

Conferences & Faculty Roles:

• Participant in RSSDI National Conferences (since 2020)

• Participant in Prof. M. Viswanathan Diabetes & Diabetic Foot Updates (since 2020)

• Faculty at the School of Podiatry – Chennai

• Attendee at IWGDF Conference – Chennai

Community Involvement:

• Regularly conducts and participates in diabetes screening and awareness camps across Chennai and rural areas

Dr. Leela Baid is a Consultant Diabetologist at MV Hospital for Diabetes (an IDF Centre of Excellence in Diabetes Care), Chennai. With over 9 years of dedicated experience in managing diabetes, she combines clinical expertise with advanced diabetes technologies. Dr. Baid earned her MBBS from Silchar Medical College and pursued a Fellowship in Diabetology from Apollo Medvarsity. She also holds an MBA in Hospital Management and is certified in insulin pump therapy and advanced diabetes technology. She has been part of the MV Hospital team since 2014, with a special focus on both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes management.

9+ years of experience in Diabetology

Special interests:

• Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes

• Advanced diabetes technologies (including insulin pumps)

• Time in Range and modern glucose monitoring

• Pediatric diabetes via the SWEET Project

Professional Memberships:

• Life Member, Indian Medical Association (IMA)

• Life Member, Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI)

Research Contributions:

• Co-investigator in key national clinical trials including:

  • Glenmark’s investigational therapy for painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy

  • Prandial Technosphere Insulin Inhalation Powder Phase III trial

Awards:

• Dr. R.B. Singh, Dr. S.S. Rastogi & Dr. S.P. Varma Award – Indian Society of Hypertension (2018), for research on central blood pressure in diabetes

Research & Publications:

• Co-author of peer-reviewed study:
  “Prevalence of genitourinary symptoms in people with type 2 diabetes initiated with SGLT2 inhibitors” – International Journal of Diabetes in Developing Countries, 2024

Conference Presentations & Lectures:

• Poster presentation at RSSDI 2022 (50th Annual Meeting):
  “Prevalence of Genito-urinary symptoms among people taking SGLT2 inhibitors”

• Invited speaker on:

  • Insulin pump therapy

  • Newer diabetes management concepts and “Time in Range”

Community Initiatives:

• Active in diabetes awareness and screening camps across Chennai

Dr. Uma Mahesh is a Senior Consultant Diabetologist and the Chief Consultant at Dr. Mahesh Diabetes Centre in association with Diabetacare (UK). With over 25 years of experience in diabetology, he is recognized for his leadership in diabetes research, patient care, and clinical education. Dr. Mahesh holds an MBBS from S.V. Medical College and a postdoctoral MDRC in Diabetology from the Diabetes Research Centre, Chennai. He served for over a decade at MV Hospital for Diabetes, a WHO Collaborating Centre, and currently leads community-oriented diabetes programs while contributing significantly to national and international clinical trials.

25+ years of experience in Diabetology

Special Interests:

• Type 2 diabetes management

• Advanced diabetes therapeutics

• Clinical research leadership

• Diabetes education and training

Clinical Roles:

• Senior Consultant Diabetologist at MV Hospital for Diabetes (1999–2014)

• Consultant at Madras Medical Mission (2001–2005)

• Chief Consultant at Dr. Mahesh Diabetes Centre (2015–Present)

Academic & Teaching Contributions:

• Faculty & Examiner for Fellowship in Diabetes (FCD), MV Hospital & IMA Tamil Nadu

• Trained over 300 doctors in Diabetology

• Editorial Board Member – IGNOU Diabetes Health Program

• Faculty for WDF Project – Trained 3000 doctors nationwide

• Contributed chapters to diabetes manuals for professional training

Professional Involvement:

• Member, Expert Committee for Diabetes Community Health – IGNOU

• Research Committee Member – Prof. M. Viswanathan Diabetes Research Centre

Awards & Presentations:

• MVDRC Gold Medal Oration Speaker – 2014

• ADA Poster Presentation – Neuropathy (2013)

• ADA Paper Presenter – NHLBI-funded CAARS Translation Trial (2015)

• Chaired key sessions on oral antidiabetic agents (OHAs)

Principal/Co-Investigator in Major Trials:

• Sitagliptin & Pioglitazone co-administration study

• Exenatide vs. Metformin and other monotherapies

• SYR-322 long-term safety trial

• GRC 8200 DPP-IV Inhibitor study

• BI 10773 vs. Glimepiride (long-term efficacy trials)

• Saxagliptin + Metformin study in pediatric diabetes

GCP Certifications:

• Trained by SIRO (Mumbai), Eli Lilly (Bangalore), Novo Nordisk (Chennai, Bangalore), and BMS (Singapore)

Publications & Conferences:

• Presenter at ADA and MV Hospital events

• Active contributor to diabetes research with a strong national and global footprint

Community Involvement:

• Leads diabetes awareness, education, and outreach through Dr. Mahesh Diabetes Centre

• Integrates clinical care with education and early detection efforts for underserved populations

Dr. Prashanth Arun is a Consultant Physician and Diabetologist at MV Hospital for Diabetes with over 12 years of clinical experience. He holds an MD in General Medicine and a PG Diploma in Diabetology from the Royal College (UK). His medical training spans reputed institutions including SRM Medical College and PSG Institute of Medical Sciences. Passionate about holistic diabetes care, Dr. Prashanth has been with MV Hospital since 2017, providing both outpatient and inpatient management, including ICU care.

• 12+ years of experience in Internal Medicine and Diabetology

• Special focus on managing complex diabetes cases and complications

Awarded:

• RSSDI Achievement Award (2023)

• Top 100 Influential Indians (2022) – Hype Edge Media

• SRM Eminent Alumni Award (2023)

• Iconic Medical Influencer (2022) – ED Innova

• Lifetime Member – RSSDI, API (India & Tamil Nadu), and IMA

Contributed chapters to national handbooks on:

• Insulin Therapy for Diabetic Foot Ulcer

• Emerging Diabetes Drugs and Kidney Disease

• Regular faculty and speaker at national diabetes conferences

• Certified in Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (BLS & ACLS)

Published in top journals including:

• JAPI

• JIMA

• RSSDI

• TN MGR University Journal

Research interests include:

• GLP1/SGLT2 therapies

• Hyperuricemia in diabetes

• Liver enzyme modulation

Principal/Co-investigator in clinical trials on:

• Inhalable insulin

• Recombinant insulin

• Once-weekly formulations

Authored health articles in:

• Times of India

• Deccan Chronicle

• ED Times

• Health Shots

Strong digital presence:

• Meta-verified influencer with 70K+ Instagram followers

• 15K+ YouTube subscribers

• 25K Facebook followers

• Daily content focused on preventive health and diabetes education

• Guest of Honour at major health awareness events and medical expos