T.S. Gunasekaran, MD, MRCP, FAAP

Dr. Gunasekaran, fondly known as "Dr. Guna," obtained his medical degree from Madras Medical College, University of Madras, India. Following this, he completed his internship and pediatric residency at the Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children in Chennai, India, where he graduated at the top of his class. He furthered his pediatric expertise by undergoing additional training in the UK and achieving the prestigious MRCP, the highest postgraduate diploma in the UK.

Dedicating three years to fellowship training in pediatric gastroenterology at British Columbia Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, Canada, Dr. Gunasekaran made a significant impact in the field. His groundbreaking publication, "Efficacy and Safety of Omeprazole in Children with Severe GERD" in the Journal of Pediatrics (1993), catalyzed extensive research in GERD for years to come. This research substantially transformed the management of children with GERD, leading to a significant reduction in the need for surgery to treat the condition. This early work paved the way for his career in GERD and esophageal disorders.

Relocating to Chicago, Dr. Gunasekaran continued his research on GERD and similar medications to omeprazole and established himself as an expert in pediatric esophageal diseases. With that focused expertise in esophageal diseases, in 2007 he started the multi-disciplinary Eosinophilic Esophagitis Program in Chicago, which rapidly grew to serve 310 patients. His treatment focuses on a holistic approach to treating and actively managing this esophageal disorder.

Dr. Gunasekaran currently serves as full-time faculty at CHLA, practicing evidence-based medicine and involving parents and children, age-appropriate, in the decision-making for their healthcare. His extensive clinical expertise will now benefit children and adolescents with eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases (EGID) of Los Angeles. His vision is to expand the EGID program at CHLA as a regional and a destination center.