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AKHIL DAVE: THE MODERN ARCHITECT OF HEALTHCARE MARKETING IN INDIA

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adminHMS

Published on

May 30, 2025

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Akhil Dave stands as a distinguished and pioneering leader within India’s healthcare marketing and strategy sector.

With a career spanning over two decades, his core contributions are multifaceted: he is the Founder & Principal Consultant of HMS Consultants, a firm recognized as India’s first-of-its-kind healthcare digital marketing and consulting agency and the Founder & Principal Consultant of Trizone Healthcare Consultants LLP and holds the position of Founder Chairman of the AHMP India Foundation. At the heart of his professional ethos lies the principle “Knowing is Knowing, Doing is Doing™,” a philosophy that underscores the critical importance of applying knowledge to achieve tangible, measurable outcomes. Through his various roles and his digital platform, “The White Shirt Man,” Akhil Dave consistently demonstrates his expertise as a thought leader, educator, and transformative force, continually shaping the future of healthcare marketing in India.

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INTRODUCTION

Akhil Dave emerges as a pivotal figure in Indian healthcare marketing, characterized by a multifaceted identity as a strategic consultant, an entrepreneurial founder, an industry thought leader, and a dedicated proponent of ethical practices. 

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BACKGROUND AND EARLY CAREER

Akhil Dave is an alumnus of IIM Lucknow, an institution known for its rigorous business education, which provided him with a strong foundational business acumen. He boasts over 20 years, and more recently, over 24 years of extensive experience in Branding, Marketing, and Strategy, with a specialized and deep focus on the Healthcare Industry. Prior to his entrepreneurial ventures, his career involved developing and executing marketing strategies and business processes that were instrumental in revolutionizing numerous healthcare businesses and fuelling their exponential growth. He notably served as the marketing head for some of India’s leading hospitals, consistently delivering exceptional results and driving strategic expansion.

THE GUIDING PRINCIPLE: “KNOWING IS KNOWING, DOING IS DOING™”

This distinctive motto serves as a cornerstone of Akhil Dave’s professional philosophy and is consistently highlighted across his various ventures.1 It encapsulates a profound belief that theoretical knowledge, while essential, is insufficient without practical application and the achievement of demonstrable results. 

GENESIS AND EVOLUTION OF KEY VENTURES

1. TRIZONE HEALTHCARE CONSULTANTS LLP

Akhil Dave founded Trizone Healthcare Consultants LLP in March 2020.The firm was established with the explicit aim of addressing the most significant challenges in healthcare industry marketing.This venture was a collaboration with Niraj Upadhyay, the founder of Trizone Communications Pvt Ltd.

Together, they launched Trizone Healthcare Consultants to provide comprehensive, 360-degree integrated marketing communication (IMC) solutions.

2. THE WHITE SHIRT MAN

Akhil Dave leverages a prominent YouTube channel titled “The White Shirt Man” as a key platform for digital thought leadership. This channel serves as a direct extension of his mission to disseminate healthcare marketing knowledge and practical insights to a wider audience. The channel provides actionable marketing tips, emphasizing crucial elements like the importance of clear calls to action and overcoming common fears associated with marketing. It also explores cutting-edge applications, such as the use of conversational AI for medical providers to enhance patient engagement and streamline operations. By creating accessible content on complex topics like healthcare marketing strategies, AI tools for doctors, and even sensitive medical procedures, he is actively democratizing knowledge and building a personal brand as an authoritative educator and influencer.

3. HMS CONSULTANTS (A UNIT OF HMS ADVISORS PVT LTD.)

It is important to clarify the specific entity referred to as “HMS Consultants” in the context of Akhil Dave’s work. Akhil Dave’s firm, HMS Consultants (a unit of HMS Advisors Pvt Ltd.), is exclusively focused on healthcare marketing and consulting within India, with its base in Vadodara, Gujarat. This distinction is crucial as other entities sharing the “HMS” acronym exist in different sectors, such as US healthcare technology and compliance (HMS Healthcare and Technology Services) , general placement services (HMS Business Solution) , analytical software (Analytical Software HMS) , general business growth consulting (HMS Growth Partners) , academic medical research (Harvard Medical School) , industrial communication (HMS Networks) , technology approval services (HMS Technologies) or general business consulting (HMS BUSINESS CONSULTANTS PRIVATE LIMITED). The inception of HMS is rooted in Akhil Dave’s identification of a critical market gap. His observations while working with larger healthcare providers revealed that smaller clinics, multispecialty hospitals, and rural healthcare facilities often struggled to access expert marketing strategies due to the prohibitive costs associated with premium agencies. HMS offers variety of services like Strategy & Consulting, Digital Marketing , Branding & Reputation, Patient Engagement, Training & Analytics, Promotional Activities.

HMS Consultants operates under a set of guiding principles known as SPARK, which include:

(S): Strategic Integrity: Upholding the highest standards of ethics and focusing intently on client success.

(P): Professional Nurturing: Fostering an environment conducive to growth and providing guidance to new talent.

(A): Advanced Innovation: Embracing change and consistently leveraging cutting-edge solutions.

(R): Responsive Transparency: Ensuring all processes and communications are clear and open.

(K): Knowledge Excellence: Delivering high-quality services with expert knowledge and continuous improvement. 

4. AHMP India Foundation

Akhil Dave holds the significant position of Founder Chairman of the AHMP India Foundation.

  • The foundation’s mission is dedicated to inspiring, innovating, and transforming ethical healthcare marketing practices throughout India.
  • It aims to elevate industry standards through networking and educational initiatives, ensuring that marketing efforts adhere to ethical guidelines while effectively engaging patients.
  • The foundation actively organizes events, such as the AHMP CON 2025 and the Healthcare Marketing Maestros Awards, further solidifying its role in industry development and recognition.

EXPERTISE & STRATEGIC IMPACT

SPECIALIZED DOMAINS: Akhil Dave’s expertise encompasses a broad spectrum of critical areas within healthcare marketing:

A) Branding, Marketing & Strategy: He possesses over 24 years of experience in these core areas, with a specialized focus on the healthcare industry.

B) Digital Marketing: His specialization includes digital campaigns, SEO, Google My Business optimization, and comprehensive digital marketing consulting.

C) Patient Engagement: A key focus is on increasing patient footfall, building trust, and enhancing patient satisfaction through strategic marketing efforts.4 This also extends to content development and leveraging platforms like WhatsApp for patient engagement.

D) Hospital Marketing: He offers deep insights into the transformative power of hospital marketing, branding, and strategic growth.

E) Personal Branding for Doctors: He emphasizes the critical importance of a doctor’s personal brand in influencing patient satisfaction, trust, and loyalty.

F) Reputation Management: His services include assisting healthcare providers in building a positive online presence and effectively managing patient feedback.

G) Market Research & Analysis: These capabilities are essential for developing data-driven strategies and providing guidance for setting up new healthcare facilities.

H) Leveraging Modern Tools: Akhil Dave demonstrates a forward-thinking approach by actively integrating cutting-edge technology into practical marketing solutions.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP & EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH

Mr. Dave’s influence extends beyond direct consulting through significant contributions to thought leadership and education. He is a regular guest lecturer, faculty member, and panellist at esteemed academic institutions, including IIPHG, NIMS, Parul University, and IIHMR Jaipur, as well as at national conferences. His blog, akhildaveblog.com, serves as a platform for sharing professional insights on topics such as hospital marketing, personal branding, and emerging healthcare marketing trends. He also conducts specialized masterclasses, such as “The Hospital Marketing Blueprint” , and workshops on “Ethical Branding and Marketing”. Additionally, he produces a video series addressing common “Marketing Mistakes” in the healthcare sector. His consulting work provides real-world insights and practical case studies that enrich his educational programs. This holistic approach positions Akhil Dave not merely as a service provider but as an ecosystem builder within Indian healthcare marketing.

DISTINCTIVE APPROACH & MARKET POSITIONING

Data-Driven Strategies

A fundamental aspect of Akhil Dave’s methodology is the reliance on data-driven healthcare marketing strategies. This ensures that the solutions provided are specific, actionable, and focused on achieving measurable results, moving beyond generic or generalized campaigns. HMS Consultants, for instance, conducts “Hospital Marketing Audits” to thoroughly assess current marketing efforts and provide actionable insights aimed at improving return on investment (ROI) and strengthening brand positioning.

Ethical Marketing Commitment

His unwavering dedication to ethical marketing is a defining characteristic of his professional identity. This commitment is prominently featured through his leadership role at the AHMP India Foundation and is embedded within the “Strategic Integrity” principle at HMS Consultants. He actively advocates for “ethical storytelling over aggressive selling,” emphasizing a patient-centric and trust-building approach to marketing.

Client-Centric Model: “Prescription-Based Services” and Tangible Results

HMS Consultants offers marketing solutions that are described as “tailored like a prescription—specific, actionable, and result-oriented”. This model operates on a “no long-term commitment” basis, encouraging clients to “consult once, see the results, and return for more if satisfied”. The firm’s core values explicitly state, “Never oversell” and “Time > money: If there’s no result in 3 months, we step away”. This underscores a strong commitment to client success and accountability. This unique value proposition creates a significant competitive advantage, particularly appealing to smaller and mid-sized healthcare providers who may be cautious of large, costly consulting engagements. 

Key Tables

To provide a clear overview of Akhil Dave’s professional scope and the services offered by HMS Consultants, the following tables are presented:

Table 1: Key Services Offered by HMS Consultants

Service Category

Specific Services Offered

Strategy & Consulting

Healthcare Marketing Strategy Development, Hospital Marketing Audits, Medical Practice Growth, Hospital Marketing Consulting Services, Market Research and Analysis, Executive Planning, Setting up new healthcare facilities (Location Identification, Market Research, Brand Development, Pricing Strategy) 4

Digital Marketing

Digital Marketing Strategy Development, SEO, SEM, Social Media Marketing, Google My Business optimisation, Hospital Website Development Consultancy 4

Branding & Reputation

Hospital Branding Strategy, Reputation Management, Internal branding strategies 4

Patient Engagement

Patient Engagement Content Development, WhatsApp for Patient Engagement, Patient Engagement Strategies, Referral development 4

Training & Analytics

Training and Workshops, Healthcare Data Analytics and Reporting 4

Promotional Activities

Advertising and Media Planning 19

Table 2: Akhil Dave’s Key Professional Roles and Focus Areas

Role

Organization

Primary Focus/Contribution

Founder & Principal Consultant

HMS Consultants (A Unit of HMS Advisors Pvt. Ltd.)

India’s first-of-its-kind healthcare digital marketing and consulting agency; affordable, bespoke marketing solutions for smaller clinics, multispecialty hospitals, and rural healthcare facilities; data-driven strategies for patient footfall, brand building, and ROI 2

Founder & Principal Consultant

Trizone Healthcare Consultants LLP

Comprehensive 360-degree integrated marketing communication (IMC) solutions for mid-sized and large healthcare organizations; winning patient trust, increasing footfalls, growing revenues, and enhancing reputation 1

Founder Chairman

AHMP India Foundation

Inspiring, innovating, and transforming ethical healthcare marketing practices in India; raising industry standards through networking and education.

Partner & Director

Trizone India

Strategic leadership within the broader Trizone communications group, implicitly supporting healthcare communication strategies.

HR Leader/L&D Head

CIPLA(PAST ROLE)

Built various HR processes and practices, led L&D team for 25 professionals, supported US expansion, ensured harmonization of systems/processes/policies post-acquisition, focused on removing organizational friction points through digitalization

Management Trainee/HR Business Partner

UNILEVER (PAST ROLE)

Gained foundational experience in HR management and business partnering within a large corporate environment.

CONCLUSION: THE ENDURING LEGACY

Akhil Dave is far more than a consultant; he embodies the roles of a visionary leader, an astute entrepreneur, an ethical advocate, and a dedicated educator within the Indian healthcare marketing sector. His professional identity is profoundly intertwined with his unwavering commitment to practical, results-driven strategies and the elevation of ethical standards across the industry. From founding pioneering consulting firms like HMS Consultants and Trizone Healthcare Consultants LLP to leading the AHMP India Foundation, his influence spans diverse facets of healthcare business development. He remains steadfast in his commitment to empowering healthcare providers, enabling them to enhance patient engagement, improve brand visibility, and achieve sustainable growth in a dynamic and evolving market.

Written by Dr. Omang Gupta 

Doctors Digital Marketing I Healthcare Marketing I Hospital Marketing Strategies I Marketing ideas for clinics I Marketing Trends 2025 I Medical Marketing I Social Media Marketing

Knowing is Knowing, Doing is Doing™

is something we strongly believe in, which means ‘Knowledge without application is the same as having no knowledge at all

Akhil Dave

Principle Consultant

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