Nitesh Ratnakar, M.D., FACG

Photo by Brent Kepner/Foto 1 Pro.

By Paige Kocourek

An innovator at heart, Nitesh Ratnakar, M.D., FACG, works to solve complex problems for the improved care of patients. Using perseverance and passion to fuel his ambitions, the physician, inventor and entrepreneur is a model for service beyond one’s self.

Ratnakar’s studies led him on a journey traveling far and wide. He attended medical school at the University of Delhi’s Maulana Azad Medical College in India; completed an internship and residency at Chicago Medical School in Illinois; worked as a fellow in geriatric medicine at the University of South Florida in Tampa; and finalized his training in gastroenterology and hepatology at the University of Wisconsin Medical School and Public Health in Milwaukee.

With a myriad of educational experiences, Ratnakar’s path led to West Virginia, where he founded West Virginia Gastroenterology & Endoscopy Inc.—a clinical practice involving taking care of patients with a wide range of gastro­intestinal and liver problems. Ratnakar also serves as an associate clinical professor of medicine at the West Virginia University School of Medicine and an adviser and consultant to several medical device companies, where he is involved with research, development and the commercialization of life-saving medical devices, while mentoring on the side.

“My favorite thing about these positions is the chance to help improve people’s lives in a meaningful way,” says Ratnakar. “I wear many hats and have learned that innovation is the key to improving lives.”

Innovation certainly is key, and Ratnakar is no stranger to this concept. Passionate about inventing, he grew interested in the engineering side of medicine and information technology when he set off for medical school. Today, Ratnakar has been instrumental in bringing Saneso—a leading manufacturer of medical endoscopes in the U.S.—to West Virginia and has closely worked with their team to develop an innovative revolutionary endoscope platform providing a 360-degree view of the gastrointestinal tract. Saneso has opened a production facility in West Virginia, where a team of local engineers and technicians work with a global team to assemble cutting-edge medical endoscopes.

“It is important for me to bring innovative, life-saving medical devices to patients,” he says. “My main focus has been on medical device imaging, so this involves working with companies to improve imaging technology and imaging for endoscopic procedures. I also help develop interventional tools to use for these endoscopic procedures.”

Using his expertise as an inventor and entrepreneur, Ratnakar also makes mentoring others a priority.

“One of my favorite things is being a mentor to medical and nursing students and medical device innovators. They are the future of health care,” he says. “With other innovators, I enjoy helping them through the process and supporting them in realizing their dreams to the best extent I can. From helping with conceptualizing ideas to licensing, I mentor depending on the need of the innovator. If someone wants to commercialize an idea, I try to connect them with others who can help fuel their idea.”

Despite Ratnakar’s busy schedule, he still finds time to give back to the community. He is involved with the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, American Cancer Society and Care Well Charitable Society.

For his community engagement, education and awareness efforts for colorectal cancer prevention, Ratnakar is a recipient of the SCOPY Award from the American College of Gastroenterology, an organization where Ratnakar has also served as a fellow and governor. Additionally, he has served as chair for innovation at the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

Although these accolades have been an honor for Ratnakar, what means the most to him is a simple thank you from the patients he sees.

“Perseverance and dedication to a selfless goal can beat any challenge in life,” he says.

At the heart of it, Ratnakar is devoted to saving lives, and the Mountain State has helped fuel his work to accomplish this feat.

“People here have been very kind and supportive in both my medical practice and entrepreneurial ventures. Additionally, West Virginia has wonderful people and unbeatable natural beauty,” says Ratnakar. “My wife is from here, and it is a great place to raise our children.”