Nitesh Ratnakar , M . D ., FACG
Physician , West Virginia Gastroenterology & Endoscopy Inc .
PAIGE KOCOUREK
An innovator at heart , Nitesh Ratnakar , M . D ., FACG , works to solve complex problems for the improved care of patients . Using perseverance and passion to fuel his ambitions , the physician , inventor and entrepreneur is a model for service beyond one ’ s self .
Ratnakar ’ s studies led him on a journey traveling far and wide . He attended medical school at the University of Delhi ’ s Maulana Azad Medical College in India ; completed an internship and residency at Chicago Medical School in Illinois ; worked as a fellow in geriatric medicine at the University of South Florida in Tampa ; and finalized his training in gastroenterology and hepatology at the University of Wisconsin Medical School and Public Health in Milwaukee .
With a myriad of educational experiences , Ratnakar ’ s path led to West Virginia , where he founded West Virginia Gastroenterology & Endoscopy Inc .— a clinical practice involving taking care of patients with a wide range of gastrointestinal and liver problems . Ratnakar also serves as an associate clinical professor of medicine at the West Virginia University School of Medicine and an adviser and consultant to several medical device companies , where he is involved with research , development and the commercialization of life-saving
Photo by Brent Kepner / Foto 1 Pro .
medical devices , while mentoring on the side .
“ My favorite thing about these positions is the chance to help improve people ’ s lives in a meaningful way ,” says Ratnakar . “ I wear many hats and have learned that innovation is the key to improving lives .”
Innovation certainly is key , and Ratnakar is no stranger to this concept . Passionate about inventing , he grew interested in the engineering side of medicine and information technology when he set off for medical school . Today , Ratnakar has been instrumental in bringing Saneso — a leading manufacturer of medical endoscopes in the
U . S .— to West Virginia and has closely worked with their team to develop an innovative revolutionary endoscope platform providing a 360-degree view of the gastrointestinal tract . Saneso has opened a production facility in West Virginia , where a team of local engineers and technicians work with a global team to assemble cutting-edge medical endoscopes .
“ It is important for me to bring innovative , life-saving medical devices to patients ,” he says . “ My main focus has been on medical device imaging , so this involves working with companies to improve imaging technology and imaging for endoscopic procedures . I
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