Indian Media Reports Claim Dr. Ramesh Babu Peramsetty of Alabama was ‘Shot Dead’ While His Family Says He ‘Passed Away Peacefully’
- Recognizing the need to serve underserved communities, the father of four, established a network of medical clinics that provided care to thousands.
Dr. Ramesh Babu Peramsetty, a well-known Indian American, physician in Tuscaloosa, Alabama died last week. He was 63. While reports in Indian media say he was “gunned down by an unknown assailant,” his obituary says he “passed away peacefully at his home on August 23.” He is survived by his wife, Dr. Srilata Anne, and their four children: Dr. Sasank Peramsetty, Nikita Peramsetty, Ronica Peramsetty, and Rohan Peramsetty.
Employees of Crimson Care, a practice Peramsetty founded more than 25 years ago, shared the news of his demise on Facebook. “As many are aware at this moment, we have been informed of Dr. Ramesh Peramsetty’s passing. The Peramsetty family asks for us to give them privacy as they grieve his passing. They have received abundant outpouring of love and faith. We will continue to honor him as he would want us to do. Thank you for your understanding at this time.”
According to his obituary on Tuscaloosa Memorial Park and Chapel website, Peramsetty, who originally hailed from Menakuru village in Andhra Pradesh’s Tirupati, district, was raised by a single mother. His passion for serving others, helped him navigate “the challenging journey of medical school and residency in the United States to become a board-certified physician in family and bariatric medicine, with a specialization in aesthetics.”
After relocating to Alabama, Peramsetty recognized the need to serve underserved communities and established a network of medical clinics that provided care to thousands across West Alabama. His contributions include founding Crimson Urgent Care, Crimson Care Skyland, Alabama Family Medical Center, Crimson Village, Tuscaloosa Med Spa, Tuscaloosa Weight Loss Center, First Care, First Kids, First PT, Crimson Counseling, Allegra, Elite Aesthetics and Wellness, Saroni Real Estate, and the Legacy of Crimson Village.
Peramsatty received media attention for his work battling the COVID-19 pandemic. “For Peramsetty, the first son born to his family in Andhra Pradesh, India, the global spread of the novel coronavirus was a call to arms,” The Tuscaloosa News reported. His clinics were among the first local non-hospital sites to offer COVID-19 testing, vaccines, and administration of monoclonal antibodies for those suffering. He spoke out often to combat waves of resistance to science, and widespread attempts at un-scientific misinformation.
Earlier this month, Peramsetty wrote a post on Facebook, welcoming his son Sasank to Crimson Care, and described him as “an easy-going, good-natured gentleman, whose “continued medical exposure and personal experiences both locally and abroad have motivated him to pursue a career in primary care medicine..”
In April, the city of Tuscaloosa renamed a portion of 18th Avenue East, from Veterans Memorial Parkway to 13th Avenue East, to Peramsetty Avenue, an area in which he and his clinics had established strong presences. Last year, Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox and City Council president Kip Tyner, named March 28 as Ramesh Peramsetty Day, in honor of his 25 years practicing in the Druid City, and for his leadership and guidance during the worst of the pandemic, The Tuscaloosa News reported.
Peramsetty graduated from the Medical College of Wisconsin and Sri Venkateswara Medical College in India in 1986, according to his WebMD page. He specialized in Emergency Medicine and Family Medicine and was also affiliated with the Diploma in Child Health (DCH) Regional Medical Center.
Beyond his professional achievements, Peramsetty was known for his vibrant personality, his love of world travel, and his skills as a licensed pilot. He enjoyed watching movies, going to the gym, boating, and spending quality time with his family. He was also engaged in social work as he donated nearly $17,000 to Menakuru High School in Andhra Pradesh.