His Calling to Care
Originally from India, Dr. Balaji Krishnaiah completed medical school before moving to the United States in 2011 to pursue his dream of becoming a neurologist, a passion rooted in his childhood experiences. When Dr. Krishnaiah was in eighth grade, his father suffered a devastating stroke. Watching his father lose the ability to participate in everyday activities showed him how profoundly a stroke can affect patients and their families, particularly when access to specialized care is limited.
That experience shaped his career and inspired his commitment to improving access to stroke care in Memphis. Dr. Krishnaiah went on to complete his neurology residency at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center before moving to Memphis for a fellowship in vascular neurology, specializing in stroke care. Today, Dr. Krishnaiah serves as Medical Director of Stroke for the Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare System and as a professor of neurology at the University of Tennessee-Health Science Center College of Medicine.
Inside the Practice
For Dr. Krishnaiah, treating stroke patients means much more than restoring blood flow or limiting brain damage. It means helping people preserve their independence, maintain their quality of life, and remain connected to the families who depend on them.
Stroke can transform a person’s life in seconds, affecting everything from mobility and communication to the ability to care for oneself. Having experienced those consequences within his own family, Dr. Krishnaiah approaches his work with a personal understanding of what is at stake.
He also emphasizes prevention. Up to 80% of strokes may be preventable through management of modifiable risk factors, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and physical inactivity. Seeing the consequences of these conditions reinforces his commitment to promoting healthier lifestyles, both professionally and personally.
His Fitness Prescription
Tennis is Dr. Krishnaiah’s favorite way to stay active. He regularly plays at Leftwich Tennis Center and the University Club of Memphis, enjoying the sport’s combination of cardiovascular endurance, agility, coordination, mental focus, and friendly competition. He also incorporates strength training and endurance workouts at the University Club gym.
With demanding responsibilities, Dr. Krishnaiah has learned that fitness cannot depend on having spare time. It must be an intentional priority.
His motivation to stay healthy centers on his goal of being an active father and husband. After witnessing how his own father’s stroke took away opportunities to run, play soccer, and share activities together, Dr. Krishnaiah promised himself he would do what he could to remain healthy and active for his children.
Beyond the White Coat
Outside of playing tennis, Dr. Krishnaiah and his family also enjoy watching tennis. He has attended the US Open and French Open and loves traveling with his family to explore new places, experience different cultures, and attend sporting events.
His greatest pride, however, comes from being a husband and father. He and his wife have two children, and some of his favorite moments involve playing tennis or soccer with them. Having lost those opportunities with his own father, he treasures the chance to create active, lasting memories with his children.
For Dr. Krishnaiah, good health is about being physically capable, mentally sharp, and present for life’s most meaningful moments. As he puts it, the goal is not just to add years to life, but to add life to those years. “Make the most of every opportunity, stay active, and never take the gift of good health or time with loved ones for granted,” he says.
Learn more about the Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare System Stroke Care at Methodisthealth.org/healthcare-services/neurology-neurosurgery/stroke-cerebrovascular/Stroke-Care.
By Zoe Harrison
Photo by Tindall Stephens
