WVU professor emphasizes healthy living through clinical practice
Dedicated to well-being, Dr. Sharathkumar Bhagavathi supports healthy living in his personal life and through his clinical practice.
At West Virginia University, Bhagavathi serves as vice chair and professor of pathology as well as the clinical laboratories director in the School of Medicine Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Laboratory Medicine.
In his role, he oversees laboratories at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital to ensure patients receive accurate and timely results. He also educates medical students, residents and fellows, and is involved in research collaboration within the department and across the university.
Bhagavathi first pursued pathology in India, where he earned a bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery from Mahadevappa Rampure Medical College. He completed his pathology residency at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College before moving to the U.S. to complete a fellowship and residency training in pathology, hematopathology and molecular genetic pathology.
Soon after arriving in the U.S., Bhagavathi developed high blood pressure and metabolic syndrome due to a sedentary lifestyle. His personal experience inspired him to adopt healthier habits and motivate others to prioritize well-being.
“I motivate others by telling my story. I tell them about the importance of eating and exercising responsibly, becoming aware of physical and mental body needs, and becoming aware of the purpose of eating to nourish the body.”
Bhagavathi ultimately chose to pursue a career pathology during his time in medical school in India.
“Our professor, a well-known Indian international pathologist, influenced me to pursue pathology by his talks about pathology being an investigative journey of finding causes and solutions for unknown human diseases.”
During his residency in pathology in India, Bhagavathi developed a passion for hematopathology, which focuses on blood-related diseases and disorders, after learning about the field through this pathology professor.
Bhagavathi teaches others the importance of leading a healthy and happy living through advocacy opportunities with department colleagues, residents and fellows. He recently participated in Walk With A Future Doc, an internal initiative hosted by a WVU School of Medicine student organization that allows students and practitioners to meet with members of the community multiple times per month for a brief discussion about health-related issues. During the walk, Bhagavathi shared insights on achieving higher levels of happiness and overall well-being.
“A healthy lifestyle increases the quality and duration of happiness, and can even prevent suffering from certain diseases.”
- WVU -
po/2/27/25
MEDIA CONTACT: Christie Matyola
Senior Communications Specialist
WVU Health Sciences
732-966-2107; christie.matyola@hsc.wvu.edu