Biography

Dr. Shyam Krishnan Ashok is a distinguished Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeon with over two decades of experience in advanced cardiac surgical care. He currently serves as the Director and Head of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery at Indiana Group of Hospitals, Mangalore, where he has successfully performed over 100 open-heart surgeries with zero mortality—a testament to his surgical precision and leadership. Dr. Shyam completed his MBBS from Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belgaum (Karnataka University) in 1997, followed by an M.S. in General Surgery from Calicut Medical College (Calicut University) in 2003. He went on to earn his M.Ch. in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery from Seth G.S. Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai (Mumbai University) in 2008, where his thesis focused on “Regression of Pulmonary Hypertension after Closure of Ventricular Septal Defect.” His passion for excellence in cardiac surgery led him abroad to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Australia, where he served as a Fellow and Senior Registrar from 2010 to 2012, gaining valuable international exposure and experience in complex cardiothoracic procedures. Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Shyam has been instrumental in establishing and developing several cardiac surgery departments across India. He began his consultant career at Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore, where he was actively involved in setting up the Cardiothoracic Department and formulating surgical and ICU protocols. He later contributed to cardiac programs at Aster Ramesh Hospitals in Andhra Pradesh, KIMS Hospital in Ongole, and Gimcare Hospital in Kannur, where he successfully built and led new cardiothoracic and vascular surgery units from the ground up. His visionary leadership extended to Vadakara Co-operative Hospital, Calicut, where he introduced the region’s first cardiac surgical program, bringing life-saving cardiac care within reach of local communities. In 2023, Dr. Shyam joined Indiana Hospital & Heart Institute, Mangalore, as Senior Consultant, quickly establishing himself as a cornerstone of the hospital’s cardiac division. Within months, his remarkable outcomes and dedication earned him a promotion to Director of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery for the entire Indiana Group of Hospitals. Under his direction, the department continues to grow as a center of excellence for complex heart and vascular surgeries. Dr. Shyam’s surgical repertoire includes extensive experience in on-pump and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve replacements, congenital heart surgeries, and aortic procedures. He has performed hundreds of cardiac surgeries across leading institutions such as Narayana Hrudayalaya, Aster CMI, and Indiana Hospital, consistently achieving excellent patient outcomes. A respected academic and international speaker, Dr. Shyam has presented his work on Double Valve Repair in Thyrotoxic Valvulopathy at a prestigious conference in Florida, USA (2022), and has delivered lectures on Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) in Budapest, London, and Zurich. He remains an active participant in major national and international cardiothoracic conferences, including aortic and mitral valve conclaves, staying at the forefront of surgical innovation and education. Driven by a vision to provide world-class cardiac surgical care in India, Dr. Shyam Krishnan Ashok continues to inspire with his commitment to clinical excellence, ethical practice, and patient-centered care. His journey reflects not only exceptional skill but also a deep dedication to advancing the field of cardiothoracic and vascular surgery in India and beyond.