Dr. B Prakash Shankar is a Consultant Gastroenterologist and Interventional Endoscopist based in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. He graduated from Kilpauk Medical College, Chennai, as a Gold Medallist and University topper. He subsequently obtained the MD (General Medicine) postgraduate degree from Madurai Medical College and the DM (Gastroenterology) superspeciality degree from Kilpauk Medical College. He has trained in diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy procedures such as endoscopic band ligation, oesophageal stricture dilation, sclerotherapy, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement, polypectomy and colonoscopy. He also trained in ERCP at the Jaswant Rai Hospital, Meerut, under the guidance of Dr. Malay Sharma. His areas of interest are ERCP, EUS and transplant hepatology.

Dr. Prakash Shankar is currently designated as Consultant Gastroenterologist and Therapeutic Endoscopist at Vadamalayan Hospitals, Madurai. Earlier in his career, he was posted as Assistant Professor for two years in the department of medicine at Meenakshi Medical College, Kanchipuram, after completion of his MD. Subsequently, on obtaining his DM, he worked for around two years as Consultant Gastroenterologist at Bharath Hospital, Kottayam, before moving on to Vadamalayan Hospitals.

As a medical gastroenterologist, Dr. Prakash Shankar is interested in treating patients with liver diseases, particularly alcoholic liver disease, as well as gall bladder stones. He is of the opinion that common ailments such as gastroesophageal reflux, constipation and obesity can be tackled effectively by medical management combined with lifestyle changes. Early detection and treatment (curative as well as palliative) of all gastrointestinal malignancies are part of his practice and he derives satisfaction from successfully treating and curing such patients. He is adept at diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures, and uses the latest drugs available for the management of hepatitis B and C, with which afflicted patients can be treated effectively.

A recipient of several awards for his academic brilliance, Dr. Shankar is a respected and active member of associations connected to gastroenterology, such as the Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy of India and the European Society of Gastroenterology.