Hegde (born 18 August 1938) is a cardiologist, professional educator and author.
He is the former Vice Chancellor of Manipal University, Co-Chairman of the TAG-VHS Diabetes Research Centre, Chennai and the chairman of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mangalore.
He has authored several books on medical practice and ethics.
He is also the Editor in Chief of the medical journal, Journal of the Science of Healing Outcomes.
He was awarded the Dr.
B.
C.
Roy Award in 1999.
In 2010, he was honoured with the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian awards.