The LAFP is excited to recognize our October Member of the Month, Dr. Susila Shanmuganathan. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Family Medicine/Geriatric Medicine at LSU Health - University Hospital & Clinics, Lafayette. She has been a part of the Faculty since July 2016.
Dr. Shanmuganathan completed her undergraduate studies at The University of Texas in Austin and then went abroad for medical school at the American University of Antigua-Manipal. After her unique, international medical school training, she spent 2 years in India with family traveling every opportunity she had. She returned to the US to complete required clinical rotations followed by residency in Family Medicine here in Lafayette.
Dr. Shanmuganathan was born and raised in Houston to immigrant parents. She continued to talk about her family, “My parents moved here in the 70s. My dad came here to complete his training as a diagnostician in nuclear medicine. He has had an amazing career and is now semi-retired but continues to teach. My mom was a Montessori school teacher for almost 10 years. Now, they both enjoy their time visiting both me and my brother and traveling to different countries. I have an older brother who lives in California and is married with a 10 year old daughter. Since she is my only niece, I try to spoil her as much as I can!”
She continued, “I grew up with a lot of family around - and we have a big family! Meeting up with aunts/uncles and all the cousins on a weekly basis was a regular occurrence. My parents were very good about teaching us about our culture when young, so apart from frequent trips and summers spent in India, I am fluent in Tamil, including reading and writing.”
Dr. Shanmuganathan has a family filled with physicians and healthcare workers. She is actually #21 on the list of physicians. She described how her dad is still the biggest influence for her pursuing Family Medicine. She stated, “Growing up, I would see my dad, who is a multi-specialty ultrasound technologist, work really hard, talk about all the interesting cases he's had, presentations he's given, and always trying to learn more. I remember going on overnight calls with him and physicians waiting for him to complete scanning a patient. During school, every year for "Career Day," I'd go spend the day at the hospital with Dad. He'd show me around, introduce me to all his coworkers, and even let me in on some interesting cases. He was always a proud father, and still is I must say. So, I think my dad had a rather big influence on me for what I am today.”
Dr. Shanmuganathan knew she wanted to take care of patients with a holistic approach and have the time and relationship with them. She continued, “I felt that Family Medicine was the best way to do that. I can treat the patient as a whole, including preventative care and health maintenance. During my 3rd year of residency, I was looking at career options and was considering VA work. Almost in a panic, I felt I needed more training in geriatrics. It was indeed a no-brainer for me to start the Geriatrics fellowship at the same program (in Lafayette) upon completing my residency. It was hands-down the best decision I made.”
Caring for patients during the COVID 19 pandemic led to Dr. Shanmuganathan’s most impressionable patient care experience. She stated, “I am sure that this was a very interesting and difficult time for all healthcare workers. As a geriatrician, it was especially difficult for me. One of my older patients contracted Covid19 and became quite sick. We tried to do as much as we could for her without knowing much about the virus early on. This was during a time when treatments were unknown, and family couldn't visit. Also, everything was questionable. During that time, I rounded on her every day, in full PPE, and video-called her family so that they could "see" each other. She didn't want any aggressive interventions, but we did the recommended treatment at the time. I made sure she was comfortable on her oxygen. As her oxygen requirement went up, she was getting worse clinically. She expired a few days later, and I was by her side holding her hand when she took her last breath. I'll never forget how grateful her family was to be able to see her everyday, even when she was very sick and how they were able to tell her goodbye before she died.”
Dr. Shanmuganathan is one of the newest Fellows in the LAFP. The convocation ceremony was held in a recent Grand Rounds in Lafayette. We asked her why it was so important to pursue the Degree of Fellow distinction. She stated, “I decided to pursue the AAFP Degree of Fellow because I believe it represents a meaningful commitment to the values and principles of family medicine. Throughout my career, I have valued the opportunity to care for patients across different stages of life, most importantly as a geriatrician, build lasting relationships with families and communities, and contribute to the broader mission of improving health outcomes. Becoming a Fellow of the AAFP is an opportunity to recognize that commitment while continuing to grow as a physician and leader. The Degree of Fellow is important to me because it reflects dedication to lifelong learning, continued professional development, service to patients and communities, and active engagement in the field of family medicine. As an academician, it is important to stay abreast of the new literature and practice evidence-based medicine, as that is something that we teach our young physicians. Ultimately, I view the AAFP Degree of Fellow as both a recognition of the work I have accomplished and a commitment to the work I hope to continue doing. It reinforces my dedication to providing comprehensive, compassionate, and patient-centered care while supporting the future of family medicine and the communities we serve.”
Dr. Shanmuganathan met her husband 4 years ago at his restaurant in Lafayette, Destination India. She is proud to call Lafayette home. Outside of medicine, she helps in the restaurant and loves to travel. She also is involved in her community. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Lafayette Council on Aging as President. She ascribes to the her motto, “. We are scientists, and science and medicine are always advancing. Always keep reading!!”
Please help us congratulate Dr. Shanmuganathan as our October Member of the Month!
LAFP’s Member of the Month program highlights Louisiana family physicians in the Weekly Family Medicine Update and on the LAFP website. We feature a biography and a Q&A with a different LAFP member each month and his or her unique approach to family medicine. If you know an outstanding family physician colleague who you think should be featured as a Member of the Month or if you’d like to tell your own story, nominate yourself or your colleague by contacting Lee Ann Albert at