Palaniappan Manickam

From Bharatpedia, an open encyclopedia
Palaniappan Manickam (Dr. Pal)
Born
Palaniappan Manickam

Madurai, India
EducationMBBS, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences & Research
MPH, University of Massachusetts Boston
MD (Internal Medicine), Wayne State University School of Medicine
Occupation
Children2
Websitehttps://drpalmanickam.com/

Palaniappan Manickam M.D., MPH, better known as Dr. Pal, is an Indian gastroenterologist in California, who specializes in gut health, time-restricted eating, and a mostly plant-based diet. He is also a celebrity doctor who uses in-person and virtual stand-up comedy ("MedCom") to educate the general public on chronic illness intervention.

Early life and education[edit]

Manickam was born and raised in Madurai, India.[1][2] He received his MBBS from PSG Institute of Medical Sciences & Research in India, his MPH from University of Massachusetts Boston, and his MD in Internal Medicine from Wayne State University School of Medicine in Michigan.[3] He did his Gastroenterology Fellowship at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak.[4]

Career[edit]

Manickam is a gastroenterologist in Sacramento, California.[2] He also uses a form of stand-up comedy he dubs "MedCom,"[1] on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and in person to educate the general public on gut health and chronic illness intervention.[2][1][5][6]

"I see so many patients around 40 years dying, leaving a young family behind. I lost a close friend because he didn't take care of himself. I don't want this to happen to others. I'm going to channel my energy to reducing belly fat and save at least one life. Some young kids will be spared the trauma of growing up without a parent."

—Dr. Pal, 2021[7]

Manickam made his first video in March 2020[7] during the COVID-19 pandemic. He notes that it "all started when an NGO got in touch with me saying they wanted a video for COVID awareness. I agreed and prepared a 10-minute script in four hours. They saw the video and wrote back to me saying this was very comical and that they wanted a professional video. I was gutted because I had spent a lot of time writing the jokes. They suggested I upload it on YouTube."[6] Manickam followed through and created a YouTube channel, uploading the video. He then shared the video with a WhatsApp group that he belonged to, and the video went viral.[7] Next, he created channels on YouTube, Instgram, and Facebook with content focused first on COVID-19, followed later by gut-health, time-restricted eating, mostly plant-based diets, and weight loss.[6] Manickam also began to study the genre of stand-up comedy, and invented the character "Saravana Kumar" as a means of connecting with his audience.[6] He eventually began to perform his "medcom" routines in live stand - up performances in the United States and India.[2][6]

Manickam says that his comedic videos and live performances are his form of giving back,[7] and all funds collected from his media outlets go towards Aishwaryam Trust, Madurai, a foundation which offers Palliative care.[5]

Personal life[edit]

Manickam and his wife Priya (a data scientist with a software company)[7] live with their two children in Sacramento, California.[8]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 James, Merin (2023-08-02). "Medcom: Dr Pal's unique prescription to bridge health, humour". DT Next. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Ramanujam, Srinivasa (2023-08-09). "Meet stand-up comedian Dr Pal, who combines medical information and comedy". The Hindu. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  3. ↑ "About Dr. Pal". drpalmanickam.com. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  4. ↑ "Dr. Palaniappan Manickam, MD". Doximity. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Rajagopal, Rashmi (2023-08-15). "Doctor uses 'med-comedy' to promote good health". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Ahmed, Muskaan (2023-08-27). "The doctor with a funny bone". The Times of India. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 "Indian doctor in US on a mission to reduce people's belly fat". The Times of India. 2021-07-12. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  8. ↑ TN Health Desk (2023-01-18). "Fatty Liver Disease: Gastroenterologist stresses on taking action". Times Now. Retrieved 2023-10-06.

External links[edit]

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