Raised and educated in Hyderabad, India, Somisetty was drawn early to orthopedics for its unique blend of medical science, critical thinking, and practical problem-solving.

“There is nothing more rewarding than seeing an immediate, positive outcome — restoring a patient’s mobility, relieving their pain, and returning them to the life they love,” he said.

Somisetty earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from Osmania Medical College and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, both in India. His training then took him across the United States, where he completed four years of fellowship training in orthopedic subspecialties at some of the nation’s most respected institutions, including the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School in Boston, SUNY Stony Brook in New York, and Boston University Medical Center.

After completing his training at Harvard, Somisetty returned to India briefly to practice, but he found himself drawn back to the United States.

—Submitted photo
Dr. Sreedhar Somisetty wants his surgical team to understand clearly what he is proposing, as he makes an important point during his work at the hospital.

“But I could not really reconcile to the fact the quality of care that I was able to learn and provide here. So, my heart was always here,” he said.

He returned to the U.S. to join the faculty at the University of Arizona, where he served as clinical assistant professor and chief of Orthopedics at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System in Tucson. In 2003, Somisetty made a pivotal decision — one that would define much of his career — by moving to Iowa to practice rural medicine. At Mahaska Health Partnership in Oskaloosa, he provided full-spectrum orthopedic care for 16 years, performing between 175 and 200 joint replacements annually.

Most recently, Somisetty served as staff orthopedic surgeon and section chief of Orthopedics at Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines, beginning in 2019. He said his motivation for joining the hospital was rooted in access to care — ensuring patients who might otherwise struggle to receive treatment had an option close to home. When that practice was shut down and privatized, Somisetty returned to what he calls his long-standing dream: serving patients in a small rural community hospital.

He said he chose rural medicine specifically to offer his patients quality time.

“I’ve learned that the best medicine happens when a doctor has the time to truly listen,” he commented. “I believe in spending quality time with my patients to explain their conditions, explore all available options and to ensure they are making an informed decision.”

Now working full-time at Van Diest Medical Center — where orthopedic care had previously been provided by visiting specialists — Somisetty sees an opportunity to build something lasting. “I’m not going to practice anywhere other than Van Diest and our hope is to see as many patients as we can and to keep them here to care for them locally,” he said.

Somisetty, along with a mid-level provider, will hold clinic days on Tuesdays and Fridays, while surgical days will be Mondays and Thursdays.

Somisetty treats a wide range of orthopedic conditions and performs numerous procedures, including carpal tunnel surgeries and endoscopic carpal tunnel procedures; wrist, hip, and shoulder fracture care; hip, knee, and shoulder replacements; rotator cuff repairs; knee arthroscopic surgeries; select shoulder arthroscopic procedures; and treatment for certain sports injuries.

His patient-centered approach begins well before the first appointment. Somisetty carefully reviews patient charts, imaging, and MRI results, frequently consulting with radiologists and referring physicians to ensure a thorough understanding of each case. When patients arrive for their visit, his team completes chart preparation so he can focus entirely on the conversation.

“I don’t want to be carrying a computer with me. I want to see them in their eyes and see what exactly the problem is,” he explained. “And I think that’s where most of the care can be lost if you’re not spending time with the patient and listening.”

He begins each visit by understanding how a condition is affecting a patient’s daily life — and what they hope to achieve through treatment.

“I start with asking them what brings them to the appointment and how the condition is affecting their life. And we also ask what their expectations are, because I may be thinking about an injection, and they may be thinking surgery,” he said.

For Somisetty, honesty and trust are central to rural healthcare.

“The fact is patients want honest answers. They’re not coming to the rural hospital just because they have no other option. I want them to come to this rural hospital because we have quality surgeons who will spend time with them and give them the best advice they can,” he added.

When he’s not in the clinic or the operating room, Somisetty enjoys unwinding with a competitive game of ping pong. He is also actively involved with the Hindu Temple in Madrid and treasures opportunities to visit family and friends in India whenever time allows.

Somisetty said he has been impressed with the cordial and helpful nature of his team at VDMC as well as the other staff members.

“I’m thrilled and very happy to be here. I feel like I’m back to my roots, and this where I anticipate continuing to practice until I retire from practice,” he said.

Looking ahead, Somisetty’s vision extends beyond individual patient visits. His goal is to establish a strong, enduring orthopedic program at Van Diest Medical Center — one that supports both patients and the future of rural medicine.

Somisetty’s goal for his practice at VDMC is to build a “lasting foundation for orthopedic excellence at Van Diest Medical Center.”

“I look forward to collaborating with the University of Iowa to bring orthopedic residents to this facility, ensuring that the next generation of surgeons understands the vital importance of rural healthcare,” he said.

In a time when access to care can feel increasingly distant for rural communities, Somisetty’s presence brings something invaluable to Van Diest Medical Center: experience shaped by the world’s leading institutions, delivered with patience, compassion, and a commitment to listening — right here, close to home.