Dr. K. Venugopal is a distinguished Pulmonologist with over four decades of clinical and academic excellence in respiratory medicine. Renowned as one of the pioneers in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) care and research in India, he currently heads the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Sooriya Hospital, Chennai. Under his leadership, the department has evolved into a full-fledged thoracic unit with advanced diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities, and is recognized as a referral centre for CF across South India.

Dr. Venugopal has been instrumental in establishing a high-tech Pulmonary Function Laboratory, which includes cutting-edge diagnostic tools such as DLCO, Oscillometry, FeNO, and Spirometry. The laboratory plays a crucial role in evaluating a wide spectrum of respiratory conditions including asthma, COPD, and interstitial lung diseases. The lab is managed in collaboration with Mrs. Sujatha Venugopal, an expert in pulmonary function testing with over 30 years of experience.

He has also spearheaded the introduction of Fibre-optic video bronchoscopy, thoracoscopy, and sweat chloride testing using the Pilocarpine Iontophoresis technique—making Sooriya Hospital one of the few centres in the country offering comprehensive CF diagnostics with high precision. His department collaborates with internationally reputed institutions in advancing CF research and care.

Dr. Venugopal has a special interest in respiratory rehabilitation and has set up a dedicated centre for patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The facility provides integrated care including yoga therapy, asthma education programs, and smoking cessation support through a Quit Smoking Clinic. He is also actively involved in the evaluation and management of sleep-disordered breathing, offering advanced sleep study services for conditions like Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

As part of his preventive health initiatives, Dr. Venugopal promotes adult vaccination, particularly for individuals over 60 years, advising timely immunizations such as the Pneumococcal and Influenza vaccines to reduce the burden of respiratory infections.

Widely respected for his clinical expertise and contributions to pulmonary medicine, Dr. Venugopal continues to lead with a focus on innovation, evidence-based care, and patient-centered outcomes. His commitment to respiratory health has made the department a centre of excellence for both treatment and research in Southern India.