Dr Shiran Shetty
Medical Gastroenterologist
One such specialist who stands at the forefront of this transformation is Dr Shiran Shetty, a distinguished medical gastroenterologist at Kasturba Medical College Hospital, Manipal, Udupi. His practice epitomizes this rare combination of academic vigor, technological prowess, and a patient-centered approach with an abiding commitment to accessible, high-quality care.
Working in a tertiary-care institute that caters to thousands of patients from various walks of life, he has created a model where complex endoscopic interventions and affordability have come together with clinical compassion. In his words, the goal is simple yet powerful where world-class gastroenterology services at much lower costs compared to big metropolitan hospitals, with the added guarantee that no patient goes away uninformed about his or her condition, the choices for treatment, or the support systems that are available. “Technology elevates treatment, but empathy elevates healing”, says Dr Shiran Shetty, Professor & Unit Head, Kasturba Hospital.
Shaping Excellence through Clinical Experience
Dr Shiran Shetty’s journey into medicine began in his childhood, shaped by the warmth, discipline, and compassion he witnessed in his father’s small-town clinic. Observing patients walk in with distress and return with relief instilled in him a deep respect for the healing profession. Following his MBBS at Bangalore Medical College and internal medicine training, he found himself drawn toward a specialty that married clinical reasoning with hands-on interventions.
Medical gastroenterology gave him that perfect intersection. Allowing him to diagnose, treat, and intervene without open surgery, this branch of medicine merged internal medicine and organ-specific expertise with minimally invasive endoscopic therapies.
Over the years, advancements in endoscopic technology further fueled his passion, especially because conditions earlier requiring major surgery could now be managed through elegant, scar-free procedures.
He now manages the whole spectrum of gastrointestinal, pancreatic, liver, and hepatobiliary disorders, from simple acidity to pancreatic necrosis. He also performs advanced procedures like endoscopic mucosal resection, Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection, endoscopic therapy for gastrointestinal bleeding, endoscopic stent placements, and therapy for pancreatic fluid collections. Working in a 2,200-bed teaching hospital with overwhelming daily footfall brings its own set of challenges. He sees almost a hundred patients in a single outpatient session, many from rural regions with limited health literacy.
Explaining complex diagnoses clearly, ensuring timely procedures, and maintaining consistency in care requires patience, discipline, and a strong system in place. He has performed more than 30,000 endoscopic procedures over the course of his career; a feat possible only with efficient delegation, structured workflow, and shared decision-making. “Skill grows with repetition, but judgment grows with experience”, says Dr Shiran Shetty reflecting on the refinement that comes from managing large case loads.
Teaching, Technology, and Transformative Care
A cornerstone of Dr Shiran Shetty’s practice is the cohesive team working alongside him. He believes that leadership in a high-intensity department is about empowering juniors, assigning responsibilities thoughtfully, and creating a culture where learning and patient care are equally valued. While he concentrates on the most complex interventions, the routine procedures are done by trained colleagues in a smooth, fatigue-free structure without compromising quality and safety.
The other important pillar of his philosophy is technology and artificial intelligence . Since gastroenterology is primarily a visually driven specialty, AI-assisted imaging is all set to bring a revolution in diagnostics. Though still in its emerging stage of adoption in India, he firmly believes that indigenous AI solutions will soon make real-time detection and precision-guided procedures widely available.
As a teacher invited to guide students at Bangalore Medical College, he stresses on measured use of technology and the primacy of clinical wisdom. He advises young graduates to build strong foundations in history-taking and physical examination before leaning on investigations. His clinical journey is marked by memorable recoveries, including that of an elderly man who suffered a severe esophageal perforation that dramatically healed with stent placement and Endovac therapy, and that of a young girl in deep coma due to acute liver failure who improved dramatically without needing a transplant. He has earned international fellowships, including one at Harvard University, and recognition from European and Indian associations for endoscopic innovation.
Future Vision
Dr Shiran Shetty aims to strengthen India’s footprint in global digestive disease research. He is working toward developing a comprehensive pancreatic care center at Manipal and building robust Indian data in areas such as inflammatory bowel disease, advanced endoscopic therapy, and hepatobiliary disorders. His focus aligns with a broader mission to integrate evidence-based care, technological innovation, and preventive health awareness for lifestyle-related liver disease.
He now manages the whole spectrum of gastrointestinal, pancreatic, liver, and hepatobiliary disorders, from simple acidity to pancreatic necrosis. He also performs advanced procedures like endoscopic mucosal resection, Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection, endoscopic therapy for gastrointestinal bleeding, endoscopic stent placements, and therapy for pancreatic fluid collections. Working in a 2,200-bed teaching hospital with overwhelming daily footfall brings its own set of challenges. He sees almost a hundred patients in a single outpatient session, many from rural regions with limited health literacy.
Explaining complex diagnoses clearly, ensuring timely procedures, and maintaining consistency in care requires patience, discipline, and a strong system in place. He has performed more than 30,000 endoscopic procedures over the course of his career; a feat possible only with efficient delegation, structured workflow, and shared decision-making. “Skill grows with repetition, but judgment grows with experience”, says Dr Shiran Shetty reflecting on the refinement that comes from managing large case loads.
Teaching, Technology, and Transformative Care
A cornerstone of Dr Shiran Shetty’s practice is the cohesive team working alongside him. He believes that leadership in a high-intensity department is about empowering juniors, assigning responsibilities thoughtfully, and creating a culture where learning and patient care are equally valued. While he concentrates on the most complex interventions, the routine procedures are done by trained colleagues in a smooth, fatigue-free structure without compromising quality and safety.
The other important pillar of his philosophy is technology and artificial intelligence . Since gastroenterology is primarily a visually driven specialty, AI-assisted imaging is all set to bring a revolution in diagnostics. Though still in its emerging stage of adoption in India, he firmly believes that indigenous AI solutions will soon make real-time detection and precision-guided procedures widely available.
Dr Shiran Shetty believes that true medical excellence lies in combining clinical wisdom, technological precision, and compassionate care to improve every patient’s quality of life
As a teacher invited to guide students at Bangalore Medical College, he stresses on measured use of technology and the primacy of clinical wisdom. He advises young graduates to build strong foundations in history-taking and physical examination before leaning on investigations. His clinical journey is marked by memorable recoveries, including that of an elderly man who suffered a severe esophageal perforation that dramatically healed with stent placement and Endovac therapy, and that of a young girl in deep coma due to acute liver failure who improved dramatically without needing a transplant. He has earned international fellowships, including one at Harvard University, and recognition from European and Indian associations for endoscopic innovation.
Future Vision
Dr Shiran Shetty aims to strengthen India’s footprint in global digestive disease research. He is working toward developing a comprehensive pancreatic care center at Manipal and building robust Indian data in areas such as inflammatory bowel disease, advanced endoscopic therapy, and hepatobiliary disorders. His focus aligns with a broader mission to integrate evidence-based care, technological innovation, and preventive health awareness for lifestyle-related liver disease.
