Dr. Mounika Ketha founder of Arna Dermatology & Aesthetics in Hyderabad, shares her inspiring journey from a reluctant MBBS student to building one of the city’s most advanced integrated skin and aesthetics clinics with a vision for holistic, ethical, and evidence-based care.
“Medicine Chose Me”
Dr. Mounika Ketha on Building Arna Dermatology & Aesthetics 2.0 in Hyderabad
At first glance, Dr. Mounika Ketha’s journey might seem like that of many Indian doctors – a bright student nudged by parental ambition into medicine. But scratch the surface, and you discover a story of transformation, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to medical ethics and excellence. Today, she is the founder of Arna Dermatology and Aesthetics, an integrated center at Raidurg, Hyderabad, that brings together advanced dermatology and plastic surgery under one roof.
From Math Lover to Medical Student
Born and raised in Hyderabad, Dr. Mounika studied at DAV Public School, Malkajgiri, and later at Sri Chaitanya Junior College in Secunderabad. “I actually wanted to get into IIT. I loved math. But my parents were inspired by a family where all nine children became doctors. So they dreamt of having one doctor in the family – me,” she smiles. With little idea of what medical school entailed, Mounika cleared the COMED-K entrance and joined Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College in Kolar for MBBS, followed by an MD in Dermatology at MS Ramaiah Medical College, Bengaluru.
“First year MBBS was incredibly hard – like life and death. I didn’t feel like I belonged. But once I got through, it became a habit rather than a hurdle.”
Why Dr.Mounika Ketha Chose Her Own Path
After returning to Hyderabad, Dr. Mounika worked with both a corporate chain and a government medical college, gaining experience in both medical dermatology and aesthetic practice. But it quickly became clear that working in a corporate setup wouldn’t help build a name or allow her to offer the quality of care she envisioned.
“In corporate clinics, patients come for the brand, not for the doctor. I wanted people to come for me – for my diagnosis, for my ethics, for my outcomes.”
In 2018, she took the plunge and started Arna – then a modest 1500 sqft clinic with just three rooms and no marketing budget. Today, it’s evolved into Arna 2.0 – a state-of-the-art facility offering integrated dermatology and plastic surgery services, with an in-house OT, med spa, daycare, and one of Hyderabad’s few comprehensive setups under one roof.
The Arna Philosophy: Evidence Over Hype
What sets Dr. Mounika apart in an increasingly commercialized aesthetic industry is her unwavering dedication to clinical integrity.
“There’s a culture of selling expensive sessions that don’t work. At Arna, we offer personalized, evidence-based care. I won’t recommend a procedure unless it’s clinically justified. I tell my patients upfront – if PRP won’t work for your hair loss, I’m not doing it.”
It’s this honesty that built her reputation, especially during the pandemic, when she started her Instagram presence and began offering consultations even to patients from far-flung areas and towns.
“Patients fly in from Vizag or even consult from rural villages. But if I know they won’t be able to follow through monthly, I don’t rope them in – I suggest what they can do locally. That’s the difference when you put ethics over revenue.”
From One Room to a Flagship Center
With increasing demand, Arna needed an upgrade. Dr. Mounika envisioned a ground-floor center (rare for dermatology clinics) that could support both laser and surgical services – including minimally invasive to full reconstructive plastic surgeries, led by Dr. Rajesh Vasu, a veteran in facial aesthetics and body contouring.
“For all cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, we have the best-in-class infrastructure,” she adds.
The clinic also now boasts:
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A fully equipped Operation Theatre
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Daycare recovery beds
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Cutting-edge laser and energy-based devices
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Body sculpting and EM-Slimming tech
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A Med Spa for safe and dermatologist-supervised facials, IV therapies, and wellness drips
Why No Branches?
“I don’t believe in cloning myself. Hospitals can scale, but dermatology is personal,” Dr. Mounika states. “Patients come for a doctor, not a brand name alone. I’d rather run one center where every patient gets my full attention than dilute my practice across multiple outlets.”
Looking Ahead: A Doctor First, Entrepreneur Next
Despite managing a growing team, handling operations, and raising a young family, Dr. Mounika Ketha is clear that she’s a doctor first.
“I’m not from a business background. I’ve faced my share of challenges – hiring staff, building tech systems, setting up protocols. But Arna is not just a clinic – it’s my vision for integrated, ethical, and high-impact patient care.”
As Arna 2.0 opens its doors to a new era of aesthetic medicine, it also stands as a quiet testament to a woman who forged her own path, blending empathy with expertise.
