Dr. Deepa Hariharan is a distinguished neonatologist with over two decades of experience in neonatal intensive care. A gold medalist from Kilpauk Medical College, she pursued her advanced training and fellowship in Paediatrics and Neonatology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, USA—one of the world’s foremost centres for paediatric care. She is board-certified in both Paediatrics and Neonatal–Perinatal Medicine by the American Board of Paediatrics and was a national top-scorer in the Neonatal–Perinatal Medicine certifying examination. She is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Paediatrics (FAAP).
Since 2007, Dr. Hariharan has been leading the Department of Neonatology at Sooriya Hospital, where she has played a pivotal role in transforming neonatal care standards in Chennai. She was among the first in the region to introduce high-frequency ventilation and inhaled nitric oxide therapy for Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN). Her extensive clinical work has significantly contributed to reducing the incidence of birth asphyxia and hospital-acquired infections in neonates.
In addition to her clinical excellence, Dr. Hariharan is actively involved in research, with over a dozen publications and several citations to her credit. Her work spans vital areas such as early identification of neonatal shock using perfusion index, enhancement of oral feeding in preterm infants through early oral stimulation with mother’s milk, and neonatal transport innovations using portable nitric oxide. She has also conducted important studies on Vitamin B12 deficiency screening in newborns from high-risk populations.
Dr. Hariharan heads the Neonatology department at Sooriya Hospital, Saligramam, where she is highly regarded for her empathetic approach and dedication to newborn care. she is consistently rated highly by patients and families for her communication and clinical expertise.