Dr Pavithra Venkataswamy, Paediatric Surgeon

Medical Director and Proprietor

Divyam Hospital, Magadi, Ramanagara District — July 2021–Present

As Medical Director, Dr. Pavithra is involved in both clinical care and hospital administration. Her responsibilities include coordinating medical services, maintaining standards of patient care, supporting clinical teams, overseeing departmental processes and contributing to the continued development of the hospital.

She works closely with doctors from multiple specialities to provide coordinated care, particularly for children who require multidisciplinary evaluation and treatment.

DNB in Paediatric Surgery

Dr. Pavithra completed her six-year super-speciality postgraduate training in Paediatric Surgery through the National Board of Examinations, New Delhi, in 2016.

Her training was undertaken at the Department of Paediatric Surgery, Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, Bengaluru, where she gained extensive exposure to routine, emergency and complex paediatric surgical conditions.

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery — MBBS

Dr. Pavithra completed her MBBS from Kurunji Venkataramana Gowda Medical College, affiliated with Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Karnataka, in 2008.

Fellowship in Minimal Access Surgery

She holds the Fellowship in Minimal Access Surgery — FMAS and completed the associated skill course in Varanasi in 2026.

Junior Consultant Paediatric Surgeon

Department of Paediatric Surgery, Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, Bengaluru — May 2016–June 2020

As a Junior Consultant Paediatric Surgeon, Dr. Pavithra participated in the evaluation, surgical management and postoperative care of children with a wide spectrum of congenital and acquired surgical conditions.

She worked within a large quaternary referral institution alongside paediatric surgeons, anaesthetists, neonatologists, intensivists, oncologists, transplant specialists and other multidisciplinary teams.

DNB Paediatric Surgery Training

Department of Paediatric Surgery, Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, Bengaluru — March 2010–March 2016

During her six years of structured postgraduate training, she received hands-on exposure to neonatal surgery, paediatric urology, colorectal surgery, hepatobiliary surgery, thoracic surgery, minimally invasive surgery, paediatric oncology and emergency surgical care.

Her training also involved academic presentations, departmental audits, multidisciplinary meetings, research, teaching and participation in complex surgical procedures.

General Duty Medical Officer

Government of Karnataka, 24/7 Primary Health Centre, Kolar — August 2008–May 2009

Dr. Pavithra worked as a General Duty Medical Officer at a government primary healthcare centre, where she managed general medical conditions, emergencies, community health concerns and patients requiring referral to higher centres.

General Medical Practitioner

Maruthi Nursing Home, Kolar — May 2008–July 2008

She began her clinical career as a General Medical Practitioner, providing primary medical evaluation and treatment to patients across different age groups.

Tutor, Department of Anatomy

Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, Kolar — July 2008–September 2008

As a tutor in the Department of Anatomy, she participated in undergraduate medical teaching and academic activities.

Dr. Pavithra is experienced in the evaluation and management of a wide range of paediatric surgical conditions, including:

• Neonatal surgical conditions
• Congenital abnormalities in newborns and children
• Paediatric abdominal surgery
• Paediatric urological conditions
• Colorectal conditions in children
• Groin and scrotal swellings
• Hernia and hydrocele
• Undescended testes
• Childhood urinary concerns
• Day-care surgical procedures
• Minimally invasive paediatric surgery
• Laparoscopic procedures
• Thoracoscopic procedures
• Emergency paediatric surgical conditions
• Bronchoscopy for airway foreign bodies
• Surgical evaluation of lumps and swellings
• Postoperative care and long-term follow-up
• Paediatric critical care and life-support coordination
• Neonatal and paediatric intensive care coordination

She has also gained hands-on experience in assisting and participating in complex procedures, including:

• Paediatric liver transplantation
• Paediatric renal transplantation
• Airway reconstruction
• Complex nephro-urological procedures
• Advanced laparoscopic surgery
• Robotic surgery

To further strengthen her skills in minimally invasive paediatric surgery, Dr. Pavithra underwent specialised training at the Centre of Excellence for Minimal Access Surgery Training — CEMAST, Mumbai, in 2015.

The programme included training in:

• Laparoscopy
• Thoracoscopy
• Minimally invasive urological procedures

She continues to update her surgical knowledge and technical skills by attending laparoscopic workshops, live operative programmes and scientific sessions conducted during state and national conferences.

2026

• Programme on the Implementation of NABH 6th Edition Standards for Hospitals
• Fellowship in Minimal Access Surgery — FMAS, with skill course conducted in Varanasi

2021

• Postgraduate Programme in Pediatric Nutrition, Boston University School of Medicine

2017

• Good Clinical Practices Course, NIDA Clinical Trials Network

2016

• Paediatric Advanced Life Support — PALS
• Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers
• Certifications awarded by the American Heart Association

2015

• Specialised training in Laparoscopy, Thoracoscopy and Urology at the Centre of Excellence for Minimal Access Surgery Training — CEMAST

2014

• Neonatal Resuscitation Programme, Department of Paediatric Neonatology, Narayana Health

2012

• Advanced Cardiac Life Support
• Healthcare Provider Certification from the American Heart Association

2009

• National Leprosy Eradication Programme conducted by the District Health and Family Welfare Department
• Intensified TB/HIV Training conducted by the Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society

2008

• Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme Modular Training
• TB/HIV Training
• Paediatric Wise Box training at the District TB Centre

Dr. Pavithra is associated with several leading medical and surgical professional bodies.

• Association of Minimal Access Surgeons of India — AMASI · Membership Number: 17931
• Indian Medical Association — IMA, Life Member · Membership Number: KAR/19116/46/100/224500/2017-18/L
• Association of Surgeons of India — ASI · Membership Number: FL-40508
• Pediatric Endoscopic Surgeons of India — PESI, Life Member
• Indian Association of Pediatric Surgeons — IAPS, Life Member · Membership Number: 1169
• Karnataka Medical Council Registration Number: 79580

Dr. Pavithra has received several awards and distinctions for her clinical research, scientific presentations and surgical videos.

IAPS Tejasvi Medal and YUVACON Gold Medal — 2025

She received the prestigious IAPS Tejasvi Medal and YUVACON Gold Medal in Mumbai on 16 August 2025.

Best Presentation Award — 2016

She received the Best Presentation Award for “Bilateral Spontaneous Pneumothorax in an Adolescent — A Case Report”, delivered during the PESUCON Conference in 2016.

Best KARL STORZ Video Award — 2016

She received the Best KARL STORZ Video Award for “Retroperitoneoscopic Approach: The New Gold Standard for Adrenalectomy”, presented at the PESI–IAPSCON Conference.

Best Paper Awards — 2015

• “Middle Mediastinal Mass Presenting with Arrhythmias”, presented at the IAPS Conference
• “Role of Mesoportal Shunt in the Contemporary Management of Portal Hypertension”, presented at the IAPS Conference

Best Paper Award — 2014

“Our Experience in the Management of Laryngotracheal Clefts”, presented at the PeSuCon Karnataka Chapter Conference.

Best Paper Award — 2011

“Vascular Complications in Paediatric Living Donor Liver Transplantation” — hepatobiliary surgery poster presented at the IAPS Conference of the Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry Chapter.

Paediatric Surgery Residents’ Quiz — 2011

She secured third prize in the Postgraduate Residents’ Quiz conducted during the Paediatric Surgery Update at Maulana Azad Medical College.

NITK Cup Chess Tournament — 2008

Dr. Pavithra was part of the winning team at the NITK Cup Chess Tournament held at the National Institute of Technology.

DNB Dissertation

Title: Study of the Long-Term Outcome in Children Treated for Posterior Urethral Valves

The dissertation was a descriptive study involving 50 children with posterior urethral valves who were treated at Narayana Health.

The research was conducted under the guidance and supervision of:

• Dr. Ashley J. D’Cruz, Director, Paediatric Surgery Division, Narayana Health
• Dr. Sanjay Rao, Head of the Department of Paediatric Surgery

The study evaluated the long-term outcomes of children treated for posterior urethral valves, with a focus on continuing urinary and renal health.

Dr. Pavithra has presented clinical research, surgical videos, case reports and institutional experiences at several state, national and international conferences.

2017

• Use of Retroperitoneoscopic Adrenalectomy for Antenatally Detected Neuroblastoma — International Symposium on Paediatric Surgical Research and Update on Newborn and Fetal Surgery (ISPR), Delhi
• The Spectrum of Newborn Tumours — ISPR, Delhi

2016

• Spontaneous Bilateral Pneumothorax in an Adolescent — Case report, PESUCON (IAPS Karnataka Chapter)
• Spontaneous Duodenal Perforation in Neonates — Case report, PESUCON (IAPS Karnataka Chapter)
• Retroperitoneoscopic Approach: The New Gold Standard for Adrenalectomy — Video presentation, PESI–IAPSCON Conference, Odisha

2015

• Do Children Need Blood Transfusion During Hepatectomy in This Era? — 41st Annual Conference of IAPS
• Middle Mediastinal Mass Presenting with Arrhythmias — 41st Annual Conference of IAPS
• Role of Mesoportal Shunt in the Contemporary Management of Portal Hypertension — 41st Annual Conference of IAPS

2014

• Management of Children with Vocal Cord Palsy: A Single-Centre Experience — PESICON
• Spontaneous Duodenal Perforation in a Neonate — PeSuCon, Karnataka State Chapter
• Our Experience in the Management of Laryngotracheal Clefts — PeSuCon Karnataka State Chapter Conference

2013

• Laryngomalacia: Treatment and Outcomes — 8th Annual Conference and Live Operative Workshop, PESICON, PGIMER Chandigarh

2012

• Use of Propranolol in Infantile Haemangioma — Case report, 7th Annual PeSuCon Conference, IAPS Karnataka State Chapter

2011

• Vascular Complications in Paediatric Living Donor Liver Transplantation — Hepatobiliary surgery poster, IAPS Conference, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry Chapter

Dr. Pavithra is an author of the publication:

“Cardiac Perivascular Epithelioid Cell Tumour: Report of a Child and Review of the Literature.” Published in the World Journal for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery, April 2017.

Dr. Pavithra played an instrumental role in organising and conducting three Paediatric Surgery Awareness Week programmes at Narayana Health, focused on helping parents, healthcare professionals and the wider community recognise important paediatric surgical conditions.

2017 — Child Safety

The programme focused on creating awareness about preventable injuries and safety concerns affecting children.

2016 — Common Urological Anomalies in Children

The programme educated families and healthcare professionals about frequently encountered urinary and genital conditions in children.

2015 — Save the Foetus

The programme focused on antenatal diagnosis, fetal abnormalities and the importance of timely specialist evaluation and treatment planning.

Dr. Pavithra has coordinated and participated in several departmental clinical audits aimed at improving patient safety, clinical outcomes and standards of care. These audits included:

• Duration of hospital stay and outcomes among day-care surgery patients
• Mortality incidence
• Postoperative surgical-site infections
• Incidence of surgical re-exploration
• Tunneled catheter insertion and associated complications

Her involvement in clinical audits reflects her commitment to evidence-based practice, continuous quality improvement and responsible healthcare delivery.

Dr. Pavithra's principal clinical competencies include:

• Comprehensive paediatric patient care
• Medical and surgical services
• Neonatal surgical care
• Paediatric intensive care coordination
• Critical care and diagnosis
• Medical emergencies and life-support procedures
• Paediatric surgical procedures
• Minimally invasive surgery
• Paediatric urology
• Colorectal surgery
• Day-care surgery
• Bronchoscopy for airway foreign bodies
• Medical records management
• Clinical documentation and compliance
• Departmental functioning and coordination
• Academic paper presentations
• Research and publications
• Staff management and training
• Quality improvement and clinical audits

During her time at a large quaternary referral institution, Dr. Pavithra worked as part of a team consisting of consultant paediatric surgeons and postgraduate residents.

She regularly participated in the care of children with complex medical and surgical needs, working alongside specialists from several departments. This experience strengthened her ability to coordinate multidisciplinary treatment and ensure continuity of care.

She participated in and helped organise multidisciplinary meetings, including:

• Paediatric airway meetings
• Liver transplant meetings
• Oncology meetings
• Nephro-urological meetings
• Mortality and morbidity meetings

She also regularly made clinical presentations during interdepartmental meetings and coordinated patient information, treatment planning and follow-up care across specialities.

In addition to her surgical responsibilities, Dr. Pavithra has developed significant clinical administration and departmental management experience. Her responsibilities have included:

• Liaising with senior consultants during clinical decision-making
• Coordinating duty rosters and departmental responsibilities
• Supporting the smooth day-to-day functioning of the department
• Coordinating with anaesthetists to facilitate regular and efficient operating theatre schedules
• Working with hospital management to organise departmental meetings and workshops
• Scheduling and delivering academic programmes
• Coordinating case presentations, journal presentations and seminars
• Training and supporting postgraduate residents and clinical staff
• Participating in departmental quality-improvement activities
• Coordinating multidisciplinary patient-management meetings
• Supporting the maintenance of medical records and regulatory compliance

Dr. Pavithra understands that the possibility of surgery can be stressful for both children and their parents. Her approach is therefore centred on clear communication, careful evaluation and family participation in treatment decisions. She takes time to:

• Understand the child's symptoms and medical history
• Perform a detailed clinical assessment
• Explain the diagnosis in simple, understandable language
• Discuss whether surgery is necessary
• Explain available surgical and non-surgical options
• Prepare the family for the procedure and recovery
• Provide postoperative guidance
• Plan appropriate follow-up and long-term care

Whenever clinically appropriate, she considers minimally invasive and day-care surgical approaches to reduce discomfort, shorten hospital stay and support a smoother recovery.

Dr. Pavithra's postgraduate training, dissertation and professional development were guided by senior leaders in paediatric surgery, including:

• Dr. Ashley J. D'Cruz, Director, Paediatric Surgery Division, Mazumdar Shaw Multispeciality Hospital, Narayana Health, Bengaluru
• Dr. Sanjay Rao, Head of Department and Senior Consultant, Paediatric Surgery Division, Mazumdar Shaw Multispeciality Hospital, Narayana Health, Bengaluru

Through her work as a paediatric surgeon and Medical Director, Dr. Pavithra remains committed to delivering safe, ethical and compassionate surgical care to children. Her clinical philosophy combines:

• Specialist paediatric surgical expertise
• Careful and accurate diagnosis
• Evidence-based treatment
• Minimally invasive surgical techniques
• Multidisciplinary collaboration
• Clear communication with parents
• Continuous learning and skill development
• Patient safety and quality improvement
• Long-term follow-up and continuity of care

Her goal is not only to treat a child's surgical condition, but also to reassure the family, reduce uncertainty and help every child receive the right care at the right time.