Check Out Prasad Gunasekaran’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Prasad Gunasekaran.

Hi Prasad, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
Originating from the small town of Vellore in Southern India, my medical journey commenced at Government Medical College, Trichy, where I earned my M.B. and B.S., influenced profoundly by my father. This resilient plastic surgeon battled lung cancer, and his unwavering dedication to healing others inspired my commitment to a medical career. Fueled by his legacy, this commitment has led me to pursue a meaningful impact in interventional cardiology, merging compassionate patient care with medical innovation.

Transitioning through various roles, I excelled at Wayne State University, Detroit, earning accolades such as the Chief Medical Residents’ Professionalism Award and the Hans Paul Weise Delgado Memorial Award. My educational path continued with fellowships in cardiovascular diseases and Interventional Cardiovascular Diseases at the University of Kansas, where I assumed the esteemed position of Chief Cardiology Fellow, expanding my academic horizons and mentoring future cardiologists.

Currently serving as an Assistant Professor at the University of Kansas, practicing interventional cardiology, I am dedicated to serving the underserved population of Wyandotte County. Simultaneously, I am the Associate Program Director for the interventional cardiology fellowship, passionately mentoring future generations of interventional cardiology trainees. Throughout my professional journey, awards have marked significant milestones, including the prestigious “Fellow of the Year for Clinical and Academic Excellence” from the Kansas ACC chapter and recognition as “Fellow of the Year” in the Division of Cardiovascular Diseases at the University of Kansas. These accolades validate my dedication to excellence and leadership in the cardiovascular domain. Notably, my impactful tenure at Mercy Hospital, Springfield Communities, one of the largest non-profit hospital systems in the USA, saw the inception of transcatheter structural heart disease programs featuring interventions like MitraClip and Watchman.

As a primary device implanter, I was pivotal in implementing these programs, providing minimally invasive alternatives and significantly improving patients’ quality of life. Bringing these programs to fruition helped enhance access to essential therapies for these patients who often went untreated due to the need to travel hundreds of miles to Kansas City or St. Louis to get access to these therapies. In leadership roles, including Course Director and Associate Program Director, I continue to shape the future of interventional cardiology. Contributions to professional organizations, such as the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI), further highlight my commitment to advancing cardiovascular care. Accolades, citations, and certifications underscore my dedication to leadership and excellence in interventional cardiology. I plan to continue to make a lasting impact on the field and inspire others within medicine.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Establishing cutting-edge transcatheter treatment programs for structural heart disease in a rural setting (Springfield, MO) presented various formidable challenges. The sparse availability of investment during the pandemic posed a significant obstacle, hindering the construction and implementation of such crucial programs. Building a network of referrals to bring in patients for advanced therapies required extensive education efforts directed at referring physicians and nurse practitioners. Soliciting endowments for procuring specialized equipment added another layer of complexity, demanding strategic planning and persuasive advocacy. Moreover, the successful initiation and execution of these innovative therapies aimed at providing local access to state-of-the-art treatments demanded a meticulous approach. Learning and performing these procedures with minimal complications was imperative not only for the well-being of the patients but also to establish a commendable track record and outcomes, contributing to the credibility of the programs. The educational journey extended beyond patient-facing aspects; it encompassed the comprehensive training of staff members. Nurturing a team capable of delivering and supporting these cutting-edge therapies required significant time and resources, adding to the multifaceted challenges faced during the implementation phase. Dedication, strategic planning, and a commitment to advancing cardiovascular care in underserved communities played pivotal roles in overcoming these obstacles. The journey to establish transcatheter treatment programs for structural heart disease in a rural program was indeed marked by resilience and determination in the face of numerous challenges.

I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am engaging in the intricate realm of complex calcified coronary artery diseases and transcatheter treatment of structural heart diseases within a vast tertiary university medical center. My focus extends to high-complexity patients, fostering a commitment to transformative care. At the heart of my passion lies the pursuit of breakthrough therapies, and as a dedicated investigator, I am actively involved in the groundbreaking EMPOWER CAD trial. This pioneering endeavor marks the first prospective, all-female study for patients grappling with coronary artery disease, aiming to unravel the potential benefits of a novel technology – Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL) – tailored explicitly for female patients burdened by calcified plaque.

The significance of this trial transcends medical boundaries, addressing historical disparities where females with calcified plaques have faced less favorable outcomes compared to their male counterparts under traditional therapies. Recognizing the longstanding under-representation of female patients in clinical trials, particularly in the realm of heart disease, EMPOWER CAD strives to fill this crucial knowledge gap. The trial seeks to provide gender-specific insights and redefine the narrative, investigating whether IVL can match and excel in clinical outcomes for both women and men.

In pursuing equality and enhanced outcomes, EMPOWER CAD stands as a beacon of progress, shedding light on female patients’ unique challenges and pioneering a new era of tailored, effective therapies. This endeavor embodies a commitment to inclusivity, resilience, and the unwavering belief that advancements in medical research can, and should, benefit all.

Have you learned any exciting or essential lessons due to the COVID-19 crisis?
In the intricate journey of establishing transcatheter treatment programs for structural heart disease in a rural setting, where external obstacles could potentially delay or deny progress, a crucial lesson emerged — the undeniable power of personal agency. Numerous challenges, from limited investments during the pandemic to the extensive education required for referral networks, tested the limits of control. Yet, amidst this uncertainty, one unwavering truth stood out: the absolute influence of a team’s hard work and determination. No external factor could impede the relentless pursuit of excellence and the commitment to overcoming hurdles. It became clear that, regardless of external circumstances, the driving force of personal dedication remains the linchpin that cannot be delayed or denied. This lesson, deeply ingrained in the journey, serves as a guiding principle, reinforcing the understanding that steadfast determination is the cornerstone of navigating challenges and achieving success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://findadoctor.kansashealthsystem.com/provider/Prasad+C+Gunasekaran/2058375
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prasad-gunasekaran-md-facc-fscai-aa4bb133/
• Twitter: @prasadchan