From an idyllic childhood in India to practicing medicine with his brothers in the United States, devotion to family has had a profound effect on the life of Orlando gastroenterologist Seela Ramesh, MD.

 

Ramesh joined the Digestive and Liver Center of Florida (DLCF) in 2010 after practicing for two years in Virginia. The center was co-founded by Srinivas Seela, MD, and Harinath Sheela, MD, in 2005. Their vision was to create a sophisticated medical practice that emphasized, in equal parts, a state-of-the-art medical facility along with a warm and caring environment for patients.

 

"At the Digestive and Liver Center of Florida, we have created a unique medical culture. We are committed to excellent patient care provided by a highly skilled medical staff that regularly improves itself through continuing medical education. We are equally committed to the emotional and psychological well-being of our patients, and the comfort and convenience of our patients and their families. Our staff and our offices demonstrate this commitment on a daily basis. We are pleased to have Dr. Seela Ramesh in our practice to share our passion and commitment to the Orlando community," said Seela.

 

"Working in a family-based practice provides a unique opportunity to fulfill the mission of providing excellent patient care," said Ramesh.

 

Ramesh has fond memories of growing up in a country that offered opportunity for some, contrasted with acute poverty for many.

 

"My entire childhood collectively was a turning point," Ramesh said. "I had a very happy childhood as I had the fortune of going to excellent convent schools. We had many challenges throughout life. We had to stand out academically and otherwise to get into higher education in India. This was due to the fact that the schools were limited in those days and demand was very high."

 

Ramesh grew up in a working class family in Neaby Hyderabad, India. His father, Shanker, was a college professor, and his mother, Lakshmi, was a homemaker.

 

"I grew up with three siblings. I have a lot of fond memories of playing together and doing homework together. Our parents played a key role in all our lives and encouraged us to work hard and be successful. We were the center of their lives," he said.

 

Ramesh took their encouragement to heart and dedicated himself to his education.

 

"I was always recognized in high school for academic excellence and participating in school activities. All the classes were divided into four groups for school participation. I was the leader of one of the groups throughout the high school."

 

Ramesh developed a love of mathematics and became a mechanical engineer. As he was exposed to interdisciplinary topics, he became interested in biology.

 

"I realized it is a very logical subject; even more than mathematics." He was so drawn to the study of biology that he decided to leave the engineering field and enter medical school. His brothers, Srinivas and Harinath, also made the same decision.

 

"We went to the same school most of our lives and had similar ideology. We grew up like friends and made the decision together. I believe it made the hardship of medical training much easier," said Ramesh.

 

He attended Medical College of Virginia, which is known worldwide for their GI and hepatology program. He completed his fellowship at Virginia Commonwealth University, and is board certified in gastroenterology and a member of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE).

 

His areas of interest include: advanced and therapeutic endoscopy including diagnostic and complicated ERCPs; EUS (endoscopic ultrasound); endoscopic mucosal resection for esophageal, gastric and colonic lesions; esophageal, duodenal and rectal stents; esophageal manometric and pH studies, and balloon enteroscopy to evaluate small bowel pancreatobiliary disorders.

 

Ramesh enjoyed being an engineer and now a physician, because both professions offer logical ways to improve the lives of people in a variety of ways. "Technology has created wonders and improved the quality of life for common people. Even medicine has advanced substantially in the last two decades because of engineering," he said. "The only other profession that I am deeply interested in is to get into public service in developing nations, such as India, with the sole purpose of eradicating poverty. I believe no one should be living in poverty. Unfortunately, politics has become a dirty place for normal people in developing nations. I would like to pursue public service to bring about dramatic change to the standard of life to poor people in developing nations by making policy changes and providing education."

 

"I do not have specific plans about this now, but I sure hope that it will be my third career. It is always on my mind and that will be a move after the next decade," said Ramesh.