Thangam Venkatesan, MD
Physician, Professor
Gastroenterology
Make an appointment
614-293-6255
Accepting new patients
Conditions and expertise
- Gastrointestinal Diseases
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome
Locations
- Outpatient Care New Albany
Academics and research
Department: Internal Medicine
About
- Gender
- Female
- Additional languages
- Tamil
Biography
As a gastroenterologist, I’m passionate about improving the lives of my patients. I’m a professor of Clinical Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, and excited to lead the Neurogastroenterology and Motility section. I treat a broad range of conditions, including disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) as well as motility disorders that affect the function of the GI system.
However, the primary focus of my clinical and scientific work is in disorders of vomiting, specifically a condition called cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS). I’m also involved in multiple key clinical trials and studies in CVS with many exciting advances in the pipeline. I serve as one of the chief medical advisors to the Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome Association (CVSA), a nonprofit organization that serves to help patients with this condition. I also collaborate with other nonprofit organizations such as the International Foundation of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) and help with education, dissemination of information and research.
I enjoy working in academic medicine and helping to train the next generation of physicians. I mentor medical students, residents and junior faculty members, and help them with their professional and personal development.
When I’m not working, I love spending time with family and friends. I enjoy traveling and gardening. I also serve as a meditation instructor.
Highlights
- Best Doctors of America: 2009-2011, 2015-2020
- Chief Medical Advisor: Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome Association (2009-present)
- Chair of Guidelines Committee: Management of Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome in Adults
- Inaugural recipient of the American Gastroenterological Association's Maria A. Leo-Lieber Scholarship, 2021
- Named to Castle Connolly's Regional Top Doctors list
Conditions and expertise
- Constipation
- Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome
- Diarrhea
- Gastrointestinal Diseases
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Locations
Please note: Not all physicians schedule patients at each listed location.
Credentials
Education
- Fellowship - Gastroenterology
- University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
8/15/1997 - 8/15/2000 - Residency - Internal Medicine
- University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
6/1/1996 - 8/14/1997 - Internship - Internal Medicine
- University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT
7/1/1994 - 6/1/1996 - Other - Internal Medicine
- Kilpauk Medical College, Chennai 600 010, India
1/1/1991 - 12/31/1993 - Doctor of Medicine (MD)
- Kilpauk Medical College, Chennai 600 010, India
7/1/1986 - 4/30/1992
Certifications
-
American Heart Association National Center
12/20/2024 -
American Board of Internal Medicine/Gastroenterology
11/8/2000 -
American Board of Internal Medicine
8/20/1997
Academics and research
I have spent my entire career focused on the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of cyclic vomiting syndrome and a similar condition, cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. My translational work involves the intersection of the endocannabinoid system with CVS, and I have elucidated endocannabinoid signaling in CVS as well as genetic polymorphisms underlying the condition. I have several key publications and was the lead author on the first-ever guidelines on the management of CVS. I am also co-editor on the first book on cyclic vomiting and cannabinoid hyperemesis and has authored several book chapters in this field.
I am an invited speaker to multiple national and international meetings in her field. I also collaborate closely with the Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome Association (CVSA), a non-profit organization for which I serve as Chief Medical Advisor. I recently started a CVS fellowship, the first of its kind in the world and is committed to understanding the pathophysiology and developing better management options for CVS. I also believe in providing holistic care to my patients and has used complementary techniques such as Heartfulness meditation to improve patient care outcomes.
On a personal note, I am a long-term meditator and a certified Heartfulness meditation instructor. I am also an avid gardener and loves to travel with my family and friends.
Research interests
- Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome
- Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome
- Endocannabinoid Signaling
Honors and Awards
- Outstanding Medical Student Teacher, Medical College of Wisconsin (2010)
- Department of Medicine Faculty Development Award, Medical College of Wisconsin (2017, 2018, 2019)
- Inaugural recipient of the American Gastroenterology Association Maria. A Leo Lieber Scholarship Award
Academic information
- Department:
- Internal Medicine
- Division:
- Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
More about my research
Ratings and reviews
The overall patient satisfaction rating is an average of all patient responses to the six doctor communication related questions shown below from the Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey. For additional information about the patient satisfaction survey, please visit our Patient Satisfaction Survey page.
The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their view and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.
65 Patient Satisfaction Reviews
Patient Comments
Consulting and Related Relationships
At The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, we support a faculty member’s research and consulting in collaboration with medical device, research and/or drug companies because a faculty member’s expertise can guide important advancements in the practice of medicine and improve patient care. In order to provide effective management of these relationships, the University requires annual disclosures from all faculty members with external interests related to their University responsibilities.
As of 11/3/2025, Dr. Venkatesan has reported no relationships with companies or entities.
She is the best at understanding Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome that I have found
She was excellent. I am fortunate to be one of her patients. Very thankful.
Dr.V is the BEST! She has given me some of my life back. It literally moves me to tears. I'm so GRATEFUL for her and ALL the WORK and TIME she puts in this disease to help us.
She was very thorough, and very understanding about the mental health aspect of CVS. I was also able to be honest about my feelings about a provider she worked with a long time ago, I felt safe enough to express my concern with that physician and tell her where I was with my mental health. That means a lot on a first visit, I had so much anxiety going in and I felt like she genuinely cared about my wellbeing.
She is the BEST when caring for cyclic vomiting . My overall health and ability to enjoy life has improved so much since I began care with her .
She appeared to listen to what I said but at times I felt like she didn't believe me when I told her about my entire health history from the time I was a child up to this time.
Good
Compassionate, caring. Extremely knowledgeable about my health history and disease
My care provider is top notch and can simply be described as stellar. She is wise beyond words, she cares more than I thought ever possible and she has the most charismatic and infectiously positive charm. I feel so lucky to be a patient of hers.
She is always very kind and very knowledgeable and I feel that she genuinely wants to help me feel better, My symptoms from cyclic vomiting have definitely improved gradually under her care my life was turned upside down for 2 yrs before I found Dr Venkatesan.
Good
My provider made me feel that she was listening to what I had to say and addressed my issues.
Excellent explanations
Dr.V is the BEST! I hope she will be able to do more to help us with rare diseases and this hospital and all the politics involved will step aside and allow her to do what she can to help us..who are suffering from a very debilitating illness.
Didn't listen to me. Didn't address any questions.
Very knowledgeable about cyclic vomiting syndrome