Dr. Balaji Krishnaiah Named in Memphis Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 for 2025
Growing up in India, Dr. Balaji Krishnaiah’s path was shaped by an unforgettable childhood experience. When his father suffered a stroke, it was the compassionate care of a local neurologist that not only provided assurance but gave him a determination to pursue a career in medicine and live a life dedicated to improving and impacting the lives of others.
After completing his residency at Penn State in 2017, Dr. Krishnaiah intended to spend just one year in Memphis for a fellowship at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC). When his year was up, his love for the community and its potential for neurological impacts led him to stay. Over the past seven years, he has played a pivotal role in bringing Memphis Neurology to the global stage.
As Medical Director of the Methodist Comprehensive Stroke Center and UTHSC’s Division Chief of Vascular Neurology, Dr. Krishnaiah has revolutionized stroke care in Memphis. Upon his arrival, he introduced a groundbreaking telestroke program that gained national recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic for its role in protecting medical trainees and ensuring uninterrupted virtual care. His innovative leadership has streamlined stroke treatment, improved patient outcomes, and laid the foundation for stronger partnerships among medical organizations across the city. Since induction, it has helped more than 7,000 Memphians.
Dr. Krishnaiah’s impact extends beyond Memphis. He is one of the four neurologists chosen annually from Tennessee to advocate for neurology and stroke patients at Congress through the American Academy of Neurology’s, Neurology on the Hill program. Additionally, his leadership in NIH stroke trials has propelled Memphis to be a top-performing city for stroke research, with recent trials achieving the highest patient participation rates nationwide. This advancing science has had a huge impact in clinical practice. Throughout his career thus far, Dr. Krishnaiah has published 30 peer reviewed articles and 70 abstracts in national/international conference. He is currently the primary investigator for 5 NIH StrokeNet trials at UTHSC Memphis.
Education is another cornerstone of Dr. Krishnaiah’s work. As Neuroscience Course Director and Vice Chair of the Neurology Department at UTHSC, he has cultivated a pipeline to train and retain future neurologists in the Mid-South. His commitment to mentoring has inspired numerous students to pursue careers in neurology, addressing the region’s critical shortage of specialists. Last year, 6% of UTHSC students chose to specialize in Neurology, which is higher compared to the national average of 4%. This is the highest percentage that UTHSC has ever achieved in the past few decades. He is also in the process of creating a Neurology education program to cultivate interest in high school and college students. He has more than 30 prestigious educational awards, including the Burton A. Sandok Award from the Mayo Clinic and Neuroscience course director of the year award from the American Academy of Neurology, which are awards are given to one neurologist in the country annually. He is the one of the few neurologists in the country who has won both awards.
Dr. Krishnaiah’s accomplishments have earned him numerous accolades, including induction into the UTHSC Academy of Master Educators, Alpha Omega Alpha, A.B Baker teacher recognition and the Gold Humanism Honor Society. As the 2020 recipient of the Alumni Achievement Award from Penn State University for outstanding alumni under 35, he continues to exemplify leadership, innovation, and service. This award represents only 0.0002 percent of living Penn State Alumni.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Dr. Krishnaiah was named a 2024 Memphis Business Journal Health Care Hero finalist, an honor that reflects his transformative impact on patient care, education, and innovation in neurology across the Memphis community.
Whether transforming stroke care, mentoring the next generation of neurologists, or strengthening partnerships within the Memphis medical community, Dr. Krishnaiah is a luminary in his field. His passion for neurology and his unwavering commitment to the people of Memphis make him a deserving nominee for Memphis Business Journal’s 40 Under 40.
