Dr Hiramalini Seshadri

Assistant Professor, General Medicine

Assistant Professor Hiramalini Seshadri is a physician whose career is marked by pioneering spirit and unwavering dedication to holistic patient care. Beginning her medical journey as the Best Outgoing Medical Student at Madras University in 1979, she has consistently excelled, earning accolades and pioneering new paths in medicine.

Dr Seshadri’s early interest in rheumatology, then a nascent speciality, led her to become the first Indian woman elected to the British Society for Rheumatology. Returning to India, she served as a pioneer rheumatologist in rural Kerala, later becoming a Senior Consultant at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, where she combined clinical practice with academic training and extensive writing for national media.

A pioneer in Holistic Lifestyle Medicine and Integrated Medicine, Dr Seshadri advocates for a comprehensive approach to health, guiding patients through ‘SAPTAPATHI TO RECOVERY’—a seven-step plan encompassing diet, supplementation, exercise, sleep hygiene, mental attitude, physical treatments, and weight management, with medication as a final recourse.

Her contributions extend beyond clinical practice. She has authored books on medicine and human values, including “Towards Excellence in Modern Healthcare,” and has published extensively in national and international journals and media outlets, covering topics from rheumatology and leprosy to integrative medicine and medical ethics.

Dr Seshadri’s approach to patient care is deeply holistic and individualised, emphasising the interconnectedness of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Her core values are rooted in a profound understanding of consciousness and the power of selfless love in healing.

Her experiences at CMC Vellore, in the UK, rural Kerala, Apollo Hospitals, and Sri Sathya Sai General Hospitals have shaped her into a physician who seamlessly integrates compassionate competence, evidence-based medicine, and holistic healing.

Dr Seshadri finds SMSIMSR unique for its commitment to providing free, accessible, and high-quality healthcare, embodying the ancient Indian ideal of health as a fundamental right. She values the institution’s world-class infrastructure, dedication to selfless service, and culture of continuous self-improvement. The transformative experience of witnessing rural students receive world-class, free medical education at SMSIMSR has been particularly uplifting.

Specialisations

  • Internal Medicine

Areas of Interest

  • Rheumatology
  • Lifestyle Medicine
  • Integrated Medicine

Academic Qualifications

  • MBBS
  • MD

Professional Affiliations or Accreditations

  • Tamilnadu Medical Council 33126
  • IMC
  • Life Member: IMA
  • API
  • IRA
  • BSR

Research Publications

  • Hiramalini S, et al. Concentration and persistence of bacilli in the fingers and toes of patients with lepromatous leprosy. Lepr Rev. 1978;49:223–9.
  • Seshadri H. Rheumatology in India and England. IRA Bull. 1988;III(4):108–15.
  • Seshadri H. A state of the art guide to counseling patients with rheumatoid arthritis. IRA Bull. 1989;III:199–205.
  • Seshadri H. Rheumatology in India and England: a view from the periphery. APLAR Bull. 1989;VII(8):69–71.
  • Seshadri H. Rheumatic manifestations of AIDS. IRA Bull. 1989;III(9):219–22.
  • Seshadri H. Osteoporosis, a short update. IRA Bull. 1989;III(10):236–8.
  • Seshadri H. The decade that was, rheumatologically speaking. IRA Bull. 1990;IV(1):7–10.
  • Seshadri H. Lipooxygenase inhibitors: NSAIDs with a difference. IRA Bull. 1990;IV(1):12–5.
  • Seshadri H. Rheumatological disorders encountered in certain occupations: cervical spondylosis in women head-load workers in coastal south-west India. APLAR Bull. 1991;9(9):50–61.
  • Seshadri H. Gender and autoimmunity. APLAR Bull. 1991;9(4):73–5.
  • Seshadri H. Low dose prednisolone therapy in Indian women with rheumatoid arthritis. APLAR Bull. 1991;8(11):14–7.
  • Seshadri H. Rheumatoid Factors: do they have a physiological role? IRA Bull/APLAR Bull. [Details unavailable].
  • Seshadri H. NSAIDs in arthritis: a brief overview. [In print].
  • Seshadri H. Osteoporosis: what’s new? [In print].
  • Sarkar S, Seshadri H. Dealing with requests for faith healing treatment. Indian J Med Ethics. 2015;12(4):246–7.
  • Sarkar S, Sivashankar P, Seshadri H. A review of mobile SMS reminders for increasing medication adherence. Int J Pharm Rev Res. 2015;32(1):1–4.
  • Seshadri H. Siddha System of Medicine – the oldest ancestor of modern medicine; Siddhar Agastyar, the grandsire of medicine for mankind. March 2020. Available from: https://siddharesearch.blogspot.com/2020/02/siddha-system-of-medicine-oldest.html
  • Seshadri H, Venthamaraichelvi JP, Seshadri D, et al. Thoranamalai: Possibly the world’s oldest medical school. academia.edu. Published January 2024. Available from: https://www.academia.edu/113327313/Thoranamalai_Possibly_worlds_oldest_medical_school
  • Seshadri H, Seshadri D. A brief history of traditional Indian medicine: In particular, Yoga and Siddha systems of medicine. Part 2 – Evidence-based ancient history of India that is Bharat, revisited. NMO J. 2024 Jul–Dec;18(2):88–98.
  • Seshadri H, Seshadri D. A brief history of traditional Indian medicine: In particular, Yoga and Siddha systems of medicine. Part 1 – Why Indian medicos need to know of the rich medical heritage of Bharat – An eye-opener. NMO J. 2024 Jan–Jun;18(1):36–9.

Books

  • Author of TOWARDS EXCELLENCE IN MODERN HEALTH CARE- a human values based perspective with practical guidelines”; 1st Edition, Print Edition,  published by Premamrutha prakashana; 2018
  • Author of Section 7 on Rheumatology, Chapters 18, 19 and 20, in ‘CLINICAL MEDICINE’ textbook published by JAYPEE, Third Edition, 2005
  • EDITOR of the book, “ COMPASSION- the Heart of Nursing” by  Helen M Bailey;1st Edition; Perth, Australia; 2019.
  • CHAPTER ON HEALTHCARE; In ‘At Home in Madras’; 1997.

Presentations and Workshops

  • Seshadri H. Panelist on equitable urban–rural distribution of health services. Presented at: ICFME-1; 2021; Sathya Sai Grama, India.

  • Seshadri H. Need to inculcate pride in traditional medical heritage among students of modern medicine in India. Paper presented at: ICFME-2; 2022; Sathya Sai Grama, India.

Languages Spoken

Kannada, English, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu