Dr.Saravanan Kuppuswamy
MD, MRCP. ABIHM
I was born in southern India, and after completing medical school, went to the United Kingdom for further medical training. After living there for four years, I moved to the United States and have been here for the last 10 years. Living in three different continents has been a great experience both professionally and personally.
My focus is primarily on cardiovascular diseases, a major illness responsible for the sufferings of many patients. I chose this specialty as I felt that it gives me the opportunity to improve the quality and quantity of life of our members. I practice general cardiology, which includes managing coronary artery disease, heart failure, abnormal heart rhythms and performing diagnostic cardiac cauterization procedure.
My special interest is in cardiac imaging, such as echo cardiograms and nuclear cardiac scans. I strongly believe in prevention of disease. I also have a special interest in the role of complementary medicine in managing heart disease. I am acquiring more knowledge on the role of supplements, complementary therapies and looking forward to practicing an integrated medicine that provides the opportunity to get the best of both worlds. My other area of interest is the use of technology to improve healthcare quality. In addition, I am interested in tele medicine and use of this technology to provide excellent care to remote areas of the country and the rest of the world.
Dr.Sankari Sivasailam MD
Medical director of Oncology Women’s Services,
Sankari Sivasailam, M.D., medical director of Oncology Women’s Services, is board certified in hematology, medical oncology and internal medicine. She attended medical school at the University of Madras, Kilpauk Medical College in India. She completed her residency in internal medicine at St. Agnes Hospital and a fellowship in hematology/oncology at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Dr.
Sivasailam has been in clinical practice for the past 18 years in the field of medical oncology and has a special interest in breast cancer and gynecologic malignancies.
Dr. Sivasailam’s passion is to use a holistic approach to cancer care. She is a strong advocate of a body, mind and spirit approach to healing in an effort to help cancer patients improve their well-being and quality of life. She is actively involved in the development of the Oncology Integrative Medicine Program at the Kaufman Cancer Center (KCC) in collaboration with Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH). She is board certified by the American Board of Integrative Medicine and is the medical director of Oncology Women’s Services at the KCC.
Dr. Dhandapani Kuppuswamy
Associate Professor of Medicine/Cardiology
Dr. Dhandapani Kuppuswamy is an Associate Professor of Medicine, Cardiology Division at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), Charleston, South Carolina. As a faculty member for the past 25 years at MUSC, he has been studying cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in cardiac hypertrophy that often leads to congestive heart failure. He got his Master’s and PhD degrees at the University of Madras, India and moved to US as a postdoctoral fellow in 1984.
As a Research Associate at Washington University, St. Louis, he obtained extensive training in cellular signaling involving growth factor receptor tyrosine kinases and demonstrated that growth factor receptors undergo desensitization. After joining as a faculty at MUSC, he employed much of his expertise into cardiology on how integrin-mediated tyrosine kinase signaling promotes growth, survival and differentiation of cardiac muscle cells and fibroblasts. Studies from his lab show that β3 integrin- mediated signaling mechanisms activate nonreceptor tyrosine kinases that contribute to cardiomyocyte growth and survival on one hand and promote cardiac fibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix accumulation on the other hand. His recent collaborative studies show very compelling data that ventricular pressure overload in mice can cause increased levels of CD45+ cells (monocyte-derived cells) in the heart that express profibrogenic markers and that treating these mice with the caveolin-1 scaffolding domain (CSD) peptide can suppresses recruitment of CD45+ cells, decrease cardiac fibrosis, decrease vascular leakage and myocyte hypertrophy, and improve ventricular function. He has served as the advisor for several PhD students and trained many postdoctoral fellows. In addition to his research work, he is involved in graduate school teaching and serves in many student admission committees.
Dr. Selva Shunmugam
BSMS, MD(Siddha), PhD
Selva Shunmugam,P., BSMS, MD(Siddha), PhD is the Secretary and Siddha Consultant of Health India Foundation Clinic for Integrated Siddha and Modern medicine. He is a Research Professor at the World Institute for Scientific Exploration (WISE) at Baltimore, USA.. He has contributed for more than 15 years for developing Siddha System and has 10 years of research experience in Siddha – Modern integrative medicine. He served in National Institute of Siddha. During this period he successfully coordinated a WHO sponsored project entitled “DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLICATION OF SIDDHA TREATMENT GUIDELINES FOR SELECTED DISEASES”.
As a Principal Investigator, he analyzed medical and health related Yoga concepts of Thirumanthiram, a Tamil-based ancient Literature. Based on the analysis, he prepared a research report and submitted it to Central Institute of Classical Tamil in Chennai. Apart from delivering health lectures to the students of schools, colleges and various Institutions Dr. Shunmugam is an experienced physician who encountered various clinical conditions.
He has presented more than 35 research papers in National and International conferences. Received best paper award for the paper entitled “Neikkuri – One of the Siddha Investigative parameters, Characteristics and case study ”presented in International Conference on the role of Indian Systems of Medicine & Homeopathy in the 21st Century held at Chennai.He has also received awards from FeTNA – USA, Tamil Sangams of Washington D.C., Atlanta, California, New Jersey, North Carolina, Dallas for exploring Siddha System through systematic and scientific approach.
He has received Certificate of Appreciation by Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine, MOREHOUSE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, Atlanta, Georgia, USA for the Inaugural Integrated Medicine Lecture, 23rd September 2016. He has received Award from American Tamil Medical Association (ATMA) in recognition of Outstanding Contribution as the Guest speaker at the 12th Annual ATMA Convention, Atlanta, Georgia, September 2nd to 5th, 2016. He has received Award from Central Council for Research in Siddha, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India for continuous contribution to the Siddha system of medicine on 4th January 2018 – Siddha Day at The Tamil Nadu Dr.M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai. He has received Second place Award from Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine (AIHM) Annual conference, 22nd to 26th September San Diego, California, USA.
Dr. Arul Amuthan
MSc. Yoga and Naturopathy, MSc. Medical Pharmacology, Ph.D.
belongs to a Traditional Siddha Medicine (TSM) Vaidyar family of Kanyakumari. He is the first Siddha physician turned into a pharmacologist and decoding the Tamilian’s Siddha medicine in the scientific language. He is a Medical teacher teaching medical/dental/allied health Science students, researchers in Siddha Medicine, guide to PhD students and a Integrative Medicine expert.
After 5 years of continuous legal fight and other efforts by Dr.Arul, Government of Karnataka included Siddha under Karnataka Private Medical Establishment Act. He established Division of Siddha under Manipal University, the leading Indian University located in Karnataka. Siddha OPD under Manipal University was the first legally approved Siddha clinic in Karnataka. He is the founder for this division and heading the same.
Dr. Arul identified Dr.CP.Mathew (an allopathic oncologist from Kerala) who practiced Siddha medicine integratively in his cancer patients & demonstrated the effectiveness of Siddha for cancer. Dr. Arul documented his works and brought Dr.Matheew to the light of the world. Later Dr.Mathew was awarded by National Institute of Siddha just one month before he died at his 92 age.
During his Masters in Pharmacology, he stood the topper in All India level and has been awarded “Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund Award” for his Academic excellence. He completed > 60 siddha research projects and published 52 original research articles in international journals. He presented his Siddha research in many international conferences and bagged best presentation awards in 10 conferences. He is the member of Syllabus committee of Central Council of Indian Medicine (Ministry of AYUSH), Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) and subcommittee member of ‘Tamil Nadu State Education Policy High Level Committee- 2023’.
He joined hands with Global Center for Siddha Medicine and Research (GCSMR), North Carolina to globalize Siddha through evidence based research. His proposal of Manipal Siddha Chair was accepted by GCSMR with the worth of Rs.2.2 crores, by which the rigorous Siddha research would be conducted to create evidence for Tamil health tradition. GCSMR is coordinating Manipal University (Dr.Arul) with USA Universities to spread Siddha and get CAM status to Siddha.
He initiated the MoU between Manipal University and Morehouse School of Medicine (Atlanta) to globalize Siddha Medicine. He was one of the member for the syllabus committee of two courses (1 month elective course for medical students and online .course for health professionals), which have been approved by Morehouse School of Medicine. Accordingly, 4th year medical students from USA and Canada can go to Manipal University for Siddha electives that carries credit points. This was the first entry of Siddha into an USA Medical Institution. Already the first batch students completed the one month elective course successfully.
He received grants and donations from individuals as well as funding agencies and started clinical research on Siddha for psoriasis, cancer and male infertility. 4 PhD students completed Siddha research and 2 are now doing, under Manipal University. Through him, Manipal University now offers PhD in Siddha. Kadukkai maathirai, vetpalai thailam, sivanar vembu kuzhi thailam, metallic nano particles (parpam, chendooram, chunam, pathangam) and many other Siddha drugs are extensively researched by him.
With the financial support of Dr.Janakiraman (Harvard Tamil Chair coordinator), Dr. Arul sincerely worked to start two (6 month PG course and one month certificate course) Siddha Varma Therapy courses under Manipal University. These courses have been approved in the 28 March 2023.
He is a popular guest speaker in many Traditional and Integrative Medicine conferences/workshops/seminars both in India and abroad. So far, he has delivered > 220 guest talks/keynote address. His Siddha articles are regularly published in Tamil journals (kaakkai siraginile, aval vigadan, etc.). With his vision of Siddha globalization, he dedicatedly worked to spread TSM from Tamil Nadu to Karnataka, Manipal University and USA. With the due recognition and support from Tamil community, he would definitely spread the Tamil health heritage to the world.
Dr. Somasundaram
Biology Program Director
Siva joined Salem University in 2016 to maintain and rejuvenate the Biology program .He is coordinating US-India Bi-National Sports University initiatives for exchange of students and Faculty focusing on Nutrition and Athletic performance. He previously served as the Director and Professor of Biological Sciences at University of Houston-Victoria . Siva has 40 years of research experience, has published 45 peer-reviewed research articles , and is the editor of the book Natural Products Interactions on Genomes , CRC Press 2015 and Biological Transformation Controlled by the Mind, 2013.
Siva served as a Senior Research Fellow at University of Washington-Seattle, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Imperial College , London, and as an associate clinical biochemist at Kings College Hospitals, London, United Kingdom. He taught Clinical Biochemistry in PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research , Coimbatore. Siva served as a senior research fellow, in Siddha Medicine department at Tamil University , Thanjavur. He received the Hari Ohm Ashram gold medals for his clinical research on diabetes and drug research on arthritis using siddha medicines. He graduated from Madurai Kamaraj University for his MSc and PhD.
Dr. Uma Senthilkumar MD
M.Sc. (Neuropharmacology), Fellowship in Integrative Medicine, BSMS (Siddha Medicine)
Dr. Uma Senthilkumar is an American Board-Certified Family Medicine Physician with a Fellowship in Integrative Medicine. Growing up in Southern India, she completed her medical degree in Siddha Medicine and received formal training in Yoga, Nutrition, and Reiki Healing. She has several years of experience as a consultant physician in the USA and is currently practicing in the UAE.
Dr. Uma obtained her Master of Science degree in Neuropharmacology from the National University of Galway in Ireland. Her love for practicing medicine motivated her to pursue a Doctor of Medicine degree from St. Matthew's University in Grand Cayman. She then completed her residency in Family Medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia. She has had a multicultural experience in work, education, and living in various countries, including India, Ireland, the Cayman Islands, the USA, and the UAE.
Dr. Uma's unwavering commitment to Comprehensive/Holistic Health has been the driving force behind her illustrious medical career. Her passion for this approach led her to pursue a Fellowship in Integrative Medicine, recognizing that a more holistic approach is essential for the sustainability of healthcare and the well-being of the population. By advocating for an integrative approach, she is making a significant contribution to the medical community, inspiring others to recognize the importance of treating the whole person, not just their symptoms.
With a great passion for Siddha Medicine, she joined hands with Global Center for Siddha Medicine and Research (GCSMR), North Carolina to internationalize Siddha Medicine using evidence-based approaches. GCSMR coordinates with several USA medical institutions and Manipal University (India) to formally include Siddha Medicine as an elective in the conventional curriculum. Dr. Uma is an active member in the GCSMR scientific advisory board. She is currently one of the teaching faculties for the online Siddha Medicine elective for health professionals, which is approved by Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta. This facilitates bringing awareness of Siddha Medicine to the 4th year medical students, marking the first time Siddha Medicine has entered mainstream medicine in the country.
Dr. Uma has received multiple awards, including Best Scholarly Activity Award during her residency training, Chancellor’s award/Dean’s list for academic excellence. Her expertise in the field of medicine extends beyond her clinical practice, as evidenced by her impressive publication record. She has co-authored textbook chapters and contributed to numerous research papers and publications, cementing her reputation as a leading authority in the field. Furthermore, her status as a sought-after guest speaker at multiple medical platforms is a testament to her expertise and the respect she has garnered from her colleagues in the medical community. She is also committed to training the next generation of physicians and has been involved in teaching and research activities throughout her career.
As an active member of various global medical organizations, Dr. Uma is dedicated to promoting Siddha Medicine as one of the Integrative Medicine Modalities. She serves as the Chair of Global ASPIRE Program; WONCA – World Association for Family Doctors where she conducts and leads webinars and workshops for global young Family Medicine Doctors. With an immense passion to globalize Siddha Medicine, she serves in the committee for special interest group for Integrative Medicine where she promotes Siddha Medicine as one of the Integrative Medicine Modalities.
Dr. Uma Senthilkumar is a highly accomplished and dedicated physician who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the field of medicine. She continues to inspire and motivate others to pursue excellence in healthcare. Her passion for Comprehensive/Holistic Health and her efforts to globalize Siddha Medicine are a testament to her commitment to improving healthcare on a global scale.
Dr. Ramaraja Ramasamy
The University of Georgia
Professor Ramaraja Pandian Ramasamy is currently serving as the Associate Dean in the College of Engineering at the University of Georgia, USA. He received his B.Tech in chemical and electrochemical engineering from CECRI in 2001 and received his Ph.D. degree in chemical engineering from the University of South Carolina in 2004. After graduation, he held research scientist positions at the Pennsylvania State University and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory before joining UGA in August 2010. He served as the Department Chair of the School of Chemical, Materials and Biomedical Engineering at UGA from 2015-2017.
His research interest lies in non-traditional electrochemical science and technology. He has authored over 75 research publications in international journals and 6 patents. He has written 2 book chapters including in an Encyclopedia. He has presented in over 120 conferences including over 40 invited seminars and lectures across the world.
Dr. Santhi Raja MD
M.D., M.D., F.C.I.C.M., E.D.I.C
Born with 3 other siblings in a traditional family in Tamil Nadu, I was destined to get married by 17 years of age. Thanks to the force of my mother, I was allowed to continue my studies. As a tribute to my mother, I studied hard to not only securing my seat in MBBS but also in M.D on merit. I had done my post graduation in Internal Medicine at the Stanley Medical College, Chennai.
I fell in love with Critical Care (Intensive Care) shortly after I completed my M.D. After having worked for 7 years in India as Critical Care specialist, I moved to Australia to improve my skills. I completed Fellowship in Intensive Care in Australia & New Zealand.
Thereafter, I moved to US in 2006 and underwent 2 more fellowships: Anesthesia Critical Care and Critical Care Medicine fellowship in addition to Internal medicine residency. I got board certified in Internal Medicine(2010) and Critical Care (2012)in USA. I work as locum consultant in Critical Care to maintain work life balance and live in Bay area, CA.
I got the desire to get qualified in Europe too, so took EDIC exams- Part 1 and Part2 in Ireland.I passed my EDIC exams successfully and got certified in Europe in 2017. This gave me a great pride as Critical Care Specialist as there is no other person on earth who is qualified in Critical Care in USA, Australia and New Zealand and Europe.
During my journey as Allopathic physician, I came to understand that Allopathy does not offer cure for many illnesses except for control or slowing of the disease process. Meanwhile, I also found the other branches of medicine like Siddha, Ayurveda have better options in preventing and curing the disease processes. I had an opportunity to attend a Siddha webinar at the start of the COVID 19 Pandemic. This made me curious to learn from the experts in Siddha medicine. Dr.Selvashanmugam and Dr.Arul Amuthan got me inspired to become a member of GCSMR. I wish GCSMR to grow and be of service to more people around the world.
Dr. Rajagopala Sridaran
Ph.D.
Ph.D. Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM). Atlanta, GA. I earned Ph.D. in Physiology and Endocrinology at the Chicago Medical School, Chicago, IL. Currently serving as Professor of Physiology. As the Director of educational programs of the Department of Physiology, I am responsible for organizing the teaching component of physiology in the integrated first year MD curriculum. In this capacity, I have recruited and mentored faculty for teaching various sections of physiology and organized small group clinical case discussions with basic and clinical faculty members involved as facilitators. I teach endocrine and reproductive physiology in the MD1 curriculum. I serve as the director of the Human Biology graduate course.
Sridaran Laboratory with continuous funding primarily from NIH and NASA for a number of years supported my research programs. The Sridaran laboratory published over 70 full-length manuscripts primarily in reproductive endocrinology. Sridaran laboratory has made significant contributions in this area of research and trained several high school, undergraduate, and medical students. In addition, trained 2 research scholars and 12 postdoctoral fellows who are holding respectable faculty and other positions in the U.S. and globally.
I had the honor and privilege of being elected as the “first faculty chair” of the faculty assembly in 2000. Under my leadership, the faculty executive committee elected by the faculty assembly formulated the bylaws, which were approved and adopted. These bylaws are currently used by the faculty assembly at MSM to address faculty issues and work with the administration and the Board of Trustees to find appropriate solutions to resolve them. These bylaws provide faculty representation at all levels of the governing bodies at MSM, such as the Academic Policy Council headed by the Dean, Board of Trustees, and various committees of the Board of Trustees.
I had the honor of serving as the President of the Georgia Tamil Sangam, Atlanta, GA in 1987 when the bylaws of the Sangam were written and adopted. It served as the basis when the Sangam went through several phases and change of names over 35 years now with much evolved bylaws for the current Greater Atlanta Tamil Sangam.
Dr. Vijay Janakiraman
Dr. Vijay Janakiraman is a renowned Cardiologist in the USA. He hails from Vadakandam village near Thiruvarur, after his primary education in the village, attended Findlay High School and then college at Vaishnav College at Chennai.
He Studied at Chengalpattu Medical College and initial training at Kilpauk Hospital, Chennai. Moved to the USA in 1975 and did his post Graduate studies in New York and Cardiology training at Temple University in Philadelphia.
Since 1983 he has been practicing Cardiology in the City of Altoona. He has been Chairman, Department of Medicine, Executive Member for several years. He has been a Board of Trustee of the Hospital and served as Chief of Cardiology. Currently Director of cardiology services at the University of Pittsburgh, in Altoona campus. His wife Malliga Janakiraman is from Kumbakonam. He has two children, both are Physicians. Abirami Janakiraman (Daughter) is a consultant at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh and Arun Janakiraman (Son), Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh.
Dr. Janakiraman is a philanthropist. He has made significant donations and worked for innumerable charity initiatives for the Tamil community in the US and India. His major contribution is the Seed money he Donated the for the Harvard University Tamil Chair. He spent a lot of his valuable time and money to campaign and raising funds. Additionally made a significant donation to lay the foundation for the University of Toronto Tamil Chair. His generosity has not stopped, it continues as he made huge donation to UC Berkeley in the name of Aringar Anna Chair. He is also working towards making teaching Tamil permanently at UC Berkeley. His donations and campaign have been extended to make the Tamil Department as a continuous entity in Cologne, Germany which must have been completed by now along with significant donation to the Houston Tamil Studies Chair.
Currently he is an active participant several Tamil organizations, including Life Member of Tamil Nadu Foundation, involved in social projects in Tamil Nadu. Life Member of Greater Washington Tamil Sangam, Washington D.C.