Jothydev Kesavadev
Jothydev Kesavadev (ജ്യോതിദേവ് കേശവദേവ്) is an Indian Research diabetologist and the founder Chairman and Managing Director of Jothydev's Diabetes Research Centers in Trivandrum, Attingal and Kochi, Kerala. He introduced the telemedicine based follow up system known as Diabetes Tele Management System (DTMS®) in 1998, a cost-effective model which helps achieve targets in diabetes management. He is the first speaker from Kerala to lecture at the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions (2009, 2011), the first invited speaker from Kerala at the International Diabetes Federation Conference (2009, 2013) and at ATTD, Europe. He is considered as the pioneer in modern Insulin Pump Therapy (CSII) in India and is bestowed with the credit of introducing the first Paradigm pump in Kerala in 2004.
Jothydev Kesavadev | |
---|---|
Born | Trivandrum, Kerala, India |
Nationality | Indian |
Alma mater | Trivandrum Medical College, Kerala, India, Mayo Clinic, MN, USA |
Occupation | Diabetologist |
Years active | 1982 - present |
Spouse(s) | Sunitha Jothydev |
Children | 1 |
Present positions
- Chairman and Managing Director : Jothydev's Diabetes Research Center, Trivandrum, Kochi, Attingal
- Chairman and Managing Trustee : P. Kesavadev Trust
- Chairman : Diabscreen Kerala
- Managing Director : Living Longer Life Care Private Limited
- President : Jothydev's Professional Education Forum (JPEF)
- National Executive Committee Member, RSSDI
- Senior Vice President, Geriatric Society of India
- 2015 : Joint Secretary, DiabetesIndia
- 2014 : Joint Organizing Secretary, DiabetesIndia
- 2002 : Director, Indian Institute of Diabetes
- 2001- 2002 : Asst. Professor of Medicine: Government Medical College, Trivandrum
- 1994 - 2001 : Lecturer in Internal Medicine: Government Medical College, Trivandrum
Education
- MBBS, Medical College, Trivandrum, Kerala, India : Dec 1989 (Undergraduate Course)
- MD, Medical College, Trivandrum, Kerala, India : Oct 1996 (Post Graduate in Internal Medicine)
- Endocrinology Research Fellow at Mayo Clinic, MN, USA : 2002
- Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP), Glasgow : 2014
- Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP) : 2015
- Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP), London : 2016
- Fellow of the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (FRSSDI), India : 2017
- Fellow of the American College of Endocrinology (FACE), USA : 2017
Awards and honors
- 2007 - Young achiever for 2007 by Humanity in Unity USA
- 2008 - Rajiv Gandhi Shiromani Award
- 2011 - International Kohinoor Award
- 2013 - Award by Geriatric Society of India
- 2013 - Incredible Medical Expert of the Decade Award
- 2014 - Mahatma Gandhi Cultural Award
- 2014 - Most Promising Healthcare Centre in diabetes education and treatment Award
- 2015 - Sahridayavedi Award
- 2015 - Jeevan Raksha Award by Anti Narcotic Action Centre of India
- 2018 - SNMS award by Sreenarayana Mandira Samithi, Mumbai
- 2018 - Distinguished Alumnus Award by Trivandrum Medical College Alumni Association
Early life and education
Born as the only son of P.Kesavadev and Seethalekshmy Dev in an Indian village Mudavanmugal, Trivandrum District of Kerala, Jothydev Kesavadev grew up in a culturally rich background, his father being a renowned novelist and rebellion of his times.
Jothydev did his schooling at Holy Angel's Convent Trivandrum and later at Mannam Memorial Residential Higher Secondary School, Trivandrum. He joined Mar Ivanios College, Trivandrum for his two-year higher secondary education with meritorious scores. His father died in 1983 while Jothydev was a first year Pre degree student. Jothydev secured admission for his Bachelor of Medicine (MBBS) course at Government Medical College, Trivandrum.
He completed his undergraduate (MBBS) in 1989 and post graduate (MD, Internal Medicine) in 1996 from Government Medical College, Trivandrum. Since his student days at the Medical College, he was an 'activist' doctor who organized several educational programs with an aim to bring the common people and the doctors closer. As a student and junior doctor, he founded and headed 'Medical Brothers Society', an organization which spearheaded social, cultural and scientific activities at Medical College, Trivandrum.
Early career
Jothydev joined as lecturer in Internal Medicine at Government Medical College (1994) while pursuing his first year post graduation (MD) course and later as Assistant Professor of Medicine (2001). His lectures and bedside teaching methods won much appreciation among the students.
It was in 1997, that he started private practice in a small consultation room at his house in Mudavanmugal.
Jothydev had his training in Geriatrics under the guidance of Dr. Dharmarajan at Our Lady of Mercy Hospital, New York. His special interest in Geriatrics encouraged him to organize and participate in programs for the geriatric population. He is currently the Vice-President of Geriatric Society of India.
While working in Medical College, he was selected for establishing a diabetes centre in Trivandrum in association with the world famous Mayo Clinic, Minnesota, USA. He joined Mayo Clinic in 2002; while he kept in touch with his patients back in India, via DTMS®.
Jothydev returned to India (2003) after the Endocrinology Fellowship training programme. However, the international partnership venture to set up the proposed institute with him as the Director did not materialize and he resumed private practice at his residence. Years later, a handful of his friends, well-wishers and patients urged him to set up a centre, dedicated for the treatment of diabetes.
Academic and philanthropic endeavours
He started his career as a teacher in Medical College, Trivandrum. Even after leaving his alma mater, he continues to teach medical students and practicing doctors in local, national and international gatherings.
Jothydev has delivered lectures at more than 200 diabetes conventions within India and in over 20 countries across the globe.
He has been a regular speaker at several national conferences like RSSDI, DiabetesIndia, APICON,CID etc. His original research and publications in peer reviewed journals on insulin pump therapy, cost effective use of telemedicine in diabetes, Continuous Glucose Monitoring, Incretin based therapies etc. are well accepted among the medical fraternity.
He was the only speaker from the state of Kerala to lecture at conferences like, International Diabetes Federation (IDF) (2009-invited speaker, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017 - invited speaker), Advanced Technologies and Treatments for Diabetes (ATTD) (2017, 2018 - invited speaker) and American Diabetes Association (ADA) (2009, 2011). He has more than 20 original research abstracts at the ADA.[1]
Having organized several local and national conferences for propagating the recent advances in the field of diabetes, he is considered one of the few Diabetologists who translates research into clinical practice and conducts several landmark multicentric multinational clinical trials. His pioneering original research and publications in peer reviewed journals on insulin pump therapy, cost effective use of telemedicine in diabetes, continuous glucose monitoring, Incretin based therapies etc. are well accepted by the medical fraternity and serves as benchmark for further research in diabetes.
Jothydev's Diabetes Research Center(JDC)
Jothydev's Diabetes Research Centre (JDC) started working on 7 April 2006. The Centre is a comprehensive ISO certified diabetes care centre located at Mudavanmugal, Poojapura, Trivandrum, Kerala, India. This is also the International Diabetes Federation recognised centre in Kerala for both excellence in diabetes care and education.
The centre offers state of the art treatment for diabetes and related illnesses. With the constant support of its well-wishers and patients, the foundation stone for the second phase of the centre was laid by Padmasree Mohanlal on 10 May 2008. In an effort to reach out to more patients, a subsidiary of JDC, Jothydev's Diabetes Centre & Hospitals at Kochi was initiated in 2011 and at Attingal in 2018.
Jothydev was the pioneer in introducing the telemedicine concept of patient follow-up via Diabetes Tele Management System in 1998. DTMS precludes the necessity for physical visits to the hospital, but the virtual visits via telephone or internet or email helps the patients modify their medication dosages, diet and exercise as per the advice of the diabetes team. Well trained multi-disciplinary professional team at JDC, currently follows up more than ten thousand patients via DTMS® with regular titration of medications, diet and lifestyle. This cost effective model has been proven to reduce A1c to below 7% without the risks of hypoglycaemia. The evidence and science of this innovation were presented in global scientific conventions and also published in medical journals.
Kesavadev Trust
He is also the Chairman and Managing Trustee of Kesavadev Trust. The Trust formed in memory of his father P.Kesavadev, carries out philanthropic activities for social cause. Trust performs several humanitarian services such as providing free books and study materials to children, free treatment including medications to children with Type 1 diabetes and the economically challenged. The trust also provides free treatment including lab tests and medications to hundreds of deserving patients.
The trust constitutes two awards every year. Kesavadev Awards – 1) Literary Award to commemorate late P.Kesavadev's works is offered to renowned writers in Malayalam literature while 2). Diabscreen Kerala Award is offered to enterprising and currently active health educators with a long track record for their incredible contributions to the field of health and to the society at large.
The Trust also takes up charity projects to create awareness about diabetes through world diabetes day programs, and public campaigns. P.Kesavadev Trust and Jothydev's Diabetes Research Centre have been organizing World Diabetes Day (WDD) events since 2000. The events used to take place in important venues in Kerala and at times at faraway locations. Walks, Television programs, Radio talks, Quiz programs, Huge processions, Exhibitions, Free camps and interactive awareness lectures, etc. are part of the events. The World Diabetes Month events organised by the team have gained huge acceptance throughout the years. The Diabetes Kerala 2012 and 2013 massive awareness campaigns on diabetes first time ever in the history of Kerala was organized with support from International Diabetes Federation (IDF). The innovative diabetes month campaigns in 2014 aimed at spreading the message of healthy breakfast attracted diabetes patients and generate public across the globe.[2][3]
Diabscreen Kerala
Jothydev is the Chairman of Diabscreen Kerala,[4] a massive diabetes awareness project of Kesavadev Trust, formed in memory of his father, Late. P.Kesavadev. Diabscreen Kerala since 2002, conducts free diabetes awareness, detection and treatment camps across the rural and urban populace of Kerala and has completed more than 581 camps at various geographical locations of Kerala in collaboration with regional organizations. Dr.Jothydev has personally been present in each of these camps where diabetes awareness lectures along with dietitians and diabetes educators are delivered, consultation and advises also given free of cost.These are pure educational activities where experts answer to all the concerns and questions of the common man.The hallmark of these camps is that the motivated patients attending these camps are sent back to their treating clinics.
Jothydev’s Professional Education Forum (JPEF)
Jothydev's Professional Education Forum (JPEF) supported by Kesavadev Trust was formed in response to the innumerable requests from doctors of various specialties and other professional staff involved in day to day diabetes care for creating platform for education on devices, updates on newer drugs, therapies and the guidelines to be adhered to in diabetes treatment, thus providing opportunities for the multi-disciplinary team members to interact and apply the techniques and skills in day to day practice.[5][6]
Pioneering achievements
1. He is the pioneer in modern insulin pump therapy in India.[7] He is internationally known as one of the largest users of insulin pump and real-time glucose sensing devices in Asia. 2. The largest real-life data on insulin pump usage in Type 2 diabetes was presented from his center at American Diabetes Association convention 2008 in San Francisco.[8] 3. He introduced telemedicine in diabetes follow-up in 1998. He had put the concept of "diabetes team" into practice with diabetes nurses, educators, pump instructors,dietitians, pharmacists etc., working in unison with patients. This teamwork is cost effective, less time-consuming and more effective in preventing complications of diabetes in the ageing population.DTMSTM (Diabetes Tele Management System)precludes the necessity for physical visits to the hospital,but the virtual visits via telephone or web pages or e mail helps the patients modify their medication dosages, diet and exercise as per the advice of the dabetes team.This cost effective model has been proven to reduce A1c to below 7% without the risks of Hypoglycemia since the patients are on round the call follow up. [9] 4. He was the first to report the dramatic relief of painful neuropathic pain in Type 2 Diabetes with the use of pump therapy which was presented at American Diabetes Association convention 2007.[10] 5. He published the first real-life study on insulin pumps in Type 2 diabetes which reported, in addition to blood glucose lowering effects, profound effects on relieving pain of neuropathy and also improving sexual function.[11] 6. He was the lead author along with a group of research diabetes specialists, for the first time published guidelines for Insulin Pump therapy for India. These guidelines now serve as a benchmark for further studies in this area.[12]
He was recognised by Humanity in Unity USA as "Young achiever for 2007". He was awarded the "Rajiv Gandhi Shiromani Award" in August 2008 for his outstanding individual achievements and distinguished services to the nation. He received the "International Kohinoor Award" in January 2011 from Korn Dabbaransi (Former Deputy Prime Minister, Thailand) at Indo- Thai friendship and Economic Meet at Bangkok, for promoting Global Integration in Diabetes treatment and Research.[13]
Pharma Leaders in the year 2013 recognised the contribution of Jothydev in medicine & conferred "Medical Expert of the Decade" in its annual meet at Pharma leaders 2013.[14]
Kesavadev has several scientific publications to his credit and also runs a clinical and research center for diabetes in Trivandrum.[15]
References
- "Constant monitoring reduces risk of diabetes". The Gulf Today. 23 June 2014.
- "Skipping breakfast may lead to diabetes: expert". Gulf Times. 25 November 2014.
- "Healthy Breakfast Campaign Programme". Indian Express. 26 November 2014.
- "Prevalence of diabetes high in villages". The Hindu. 23 March 2006. Retrieved 5 February 2008.
- "Meeting on diabetes discusses new techniques". Gulf Today. 23 August 2014.
- "Seminar on Diabetes". Indian Express. 5 December 2014.
- "Now, insulin pumps to the aid of diabetics". The Hindu. 27 June 2005. Retrieved 5 February 2008.
- "Experiences with Insulin Pump in 52 Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in India". American Diabetes Association. 6 June 2008. Archived from the original on 8 April 2012. Retrieved 17 June 2009.
- "Achieving Desirable Glycemic Targets without the risks of Hypoglycemia using a Teletitration Programme". American Diabetes Association. 6 June 2007. Archived from the original on 5 March 2010. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
- "Dramatic Response of Painful Peripheral Neuropathy with Insulin Pump in Type 2 Diabetes". American Diabetes Association. 6 June 2007. Archived from the original on 8 April 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
- Jothydev Kesavadev; et al. (2009). "Reduction of glycosylated hemoglobin following 6 months of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion in an Indian population with type 2 diabetes". Diabetes Technol Ther. 11 (8): 517–521. doi:10.1089/dia.2008.0128. PMID 19698065.
- Jothydev Kesavadev; et al. (2010). "Use of Insulin Pumps in India: Suggested Guidelines Based on Experience and Cultural Differences". Diabetes Technol Ther. 12 (10): 823–831. doi:10.1089/dia.2010.0027. PMC 2956384. PMID 20807118.
- "Award for doctor". The Hindu. 5 February 2011. Retrieved 5 February 2011.
- "Dr.Jothydev Kesavadev wins Incredible Medical Expert of the Decade Award". Yahoo Lifestyle India. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
- "Fears over mass administration of anti-filariasis drug". The Hindu. 7 May 2004. Retrieved 20 February 2011.