Who We Are?
Dr Shehla Shaikh
Dr Shehla Shaikh has been a consultant endocrinologist for the past 25 years and currently practices at Saifee Hospital and HN Reliance Hospital. She is an alumna of TN Medical College and Nair Hospital, with a keen interest in patient-centred care and research aimed at improving clinical outcomes and quality of life. She has conducted significant research on obesity and diabetes during Ramadan. She believes in a holistic approach, working closely with individuals living with diabetes, thyroid disorders, PCOS, osteoporosis, and other endocrine disorders. This translates into individualized treatment plans that consider the diverse needs of people living in varied circumstances and with different goals. She has received numerous accolades for her work and recently received the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Educational and Medical Sciences award for developing a risk stratification score to identify the potential risks of patients fasting during Ramadan. Her administrative skills have been honed through various positions in the Maharashtra Endocrine Society and the National Endocrine Society. Her ability to connect across generations and her cheerful temperament facilitate effective teamwork while maintaining focus on goals. Her vision is to create local solutions within a global framework and empower healthcare providers with the skills to restore health in a universal and affordable manner.
Dr Tejal Lathia
Dr. Tejal Lathia, a gold medalist endocrinologist trained at BYL Nair Hospital, Mumbai, practices in Navi Mumbai at The Hormone and Bone Centre, Apollo Hospitals, and Cloud Nine Hospitals. She earned her MBBS and MD from Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sewagram, gaining valuable rural medical experience. She further served in rural hospitals like SEWARURAL, Gujarat, and Reynold’s Memorial Hospital, Maharashtra, deepening her understanding of patients’ financial and psychosocial challenges. Dedicated to value-based, patient-centred care, Dr Lathia researches Diabetes Care, PCOS, and Obesity. She emphasizes empathetic communication to improve patient outcomes and co-authored the “LANGUAGE MATTERS” document to bridge gaps between healthcare professionals and patients. An invited speaker at national conferences, she has over 70 scientific publications. Most recently, she collaborated internationally on “End Diabetes Stigma,” published in Lancet Diabetes on World Diabetes Day.
Dr Chitra Selvan
Dr. Chitra Selvan, endocrinology professor at Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore, earned her MBBS from Bangalore Medical College, MD from Madras Medical College, and DM from IPGMER Kolkata. She also holds MRCP(UK) and is a member of the National Academy of Medical Sciences. Awarded the AV Gandhi and RSSDI Young Investigators Award, she’s passionate about teaching and medical education. Her research focuses on women’s health, obesity, diabetes, and technology in chronic care, with grants from DBT, ICMR, and Chellaram Diabetes Research Foundation. Dr. Selvan is dedicated to improving patient care, researching the doctor-patient relationship, stigma in healthcare, and communication skills. She co-authored “Language Matters,” an international communication guide. She pursues continuous learning in motivational interviewing and health communications. She lives in Bangalore with her family and enjoys reading, music, dance, and fitness.
Dr Aparna Govil Bhasker
Dr. Aparna Govil Bhasker is a Bariatric and Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeon with nearly 20 years of experience. She trained in General Surgery at Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sewagram, and specialized in Advanced Laparoscopy and Bariatric Surgery in Mumbai. She also holds an online diploma in Clinical Research from Harvard Medical School. As Chief Surgeon at MetaHeal – Laparoscopy and Bariatric Surgery Center, she is affiliated with leading hospitals like Saifee, Apollo Spectra, Namaha, and Criticare. A strong advocate for obesity awareness, she promotes patient education and evidence-based management. Dr. Bhasker has served as Section Chief at Saifee Hospital and holds leadership roles in TUGSS and OSSI. She has over 40 peer-reviewed publications and multiple book chapters. Passionate about holistic care, she integrates Motivational Interviewing for better outcomes. Beyond medicine, she is an author, artist, and philanthropist, actively contributing through the AuroMira Care Foundation. Her vision is to combine expertise with empathy, making obesity treatment more accessible and compassionate.