Dr. Sunil Sinha’s story is one of resilience, dedication, and a deep connection to his heritage. Born into a family originally from India, Sunil’s journey to the United States in the late ’60s marked the beginning of a remarkable path that would intertwine his professional achievements with his cultural roots.

After completing his residency in internal medicine, he joined the Carbondale Clinic and quickly established a busy practice. It was during this time that he began to consider how furthering his education might impact his career.

Sunil’s own academic journey led him to SIU, where he received an MBA at the College of Business Administration in 1998. Despite the challenges of balancing a busy clinical practice with his studies, Sunil found support and encouragement from faculty members, some of whom were family friends and even patients.

One of his most memorable experiences was a class with Dr. Reed Nelson, who taught organizational design and behavior.

“Dr. Nelson’s teaching style was quite entertaining, providing the class with a variety of perspectives on management styles and organizational cultures. His class was the one I enjoyed the most,” Sunil said.

The impact of his MBA was profound, opening doors for Sunil to transition from a full-time clinician to various roles in health care on a national stage. His first post-practice job was as the director of primary care at the VA Medical Center in Marion.

“A major consideration for me getting the job over several other more experienced candidates was the fact that I was the only one with an MBA. There was an assumption that the degree provided me with sufficient knowledge to lead the business side of medicine.” Sunil said.

Although that assumption turned out to be untrue, it opened the door to opportunities that built upon the experience he would go on to gain.

Sunil’s father, Dr. Atmesh Sinha, played a pivotal role in shaping his early life. As the first chairperson of the Department of Mining Engineering at Southern Illinois University, Dr. Sinha’s career spanned 25 years, leaving a legacy in Carbondale.

“My father has always been my strongest role model,” Sunil said. “His journey from a remote village in India to achieving degrees from several countries prior to arriving in the United States has been a constant source of inspiration for our family.”

Sunil’s career has been marked by groundbreaking moments and leadership roles. He proudly served as the second physician elected to the governing board of the American College of Healthcare Executives, an international professional society of over 40,000 health care leaders.

His ability to develop dyad partnerships in approaching complex clinical and operations challenges has been mutually beneficial, allowing him to navigate the intricacies of healthcare delivery with innovative solutions.

Reflecting on the challenges he faced in his field, Sunil emphasizes the importance of drawing on personal and team experiences to address situations, both new and old.

“Health care in general is a complex system with the expectation of delivering high-quality healthcare to diverse populations through a variety of payment mechanisms,” he explains. Sunil’s approach often involved taking calculated business risks to create sustainable solutions.

Sunil’s connection to SIU remains strong, driven by a desire to give back to the institution that played a crucial role in his career.

“My father had the opportunity to serve the university for 25 years. Including my wife (Rupali) and me, we have seven alumni from various colleges at SIU,” Sunil said.

He has served on the COBA External Advisory Board since 2000 and the Alumni Association Board since 2022. He is a member of the COBA Hall of Fame. Sunil and his wife have also created an endowed scholarship for current students at COBA, supporting initiatives that benefit both students and faculty.

As an advocate for young Asian American and Pacific Islander students aspiring to enter his industry, Sunil encourages them to embrace their diverse backgrounds and cultures as strengths.

“Don’t feel intimidated—let your diverse background and culture be the strength you bring to every role,” he said.

His message to the SIU community during AAPI Heritage Month is clear: “Be proud of your roots and origins. Share your passion, knowledge, and experiences to help address challenges and help others along their journeys of success.”

Sunil Sinha’s journey is a testament to the power of heritage, education, and perseverance. His story serves as an inspiration for future generations of AAPI leaders, reminding them to find their passion and pursue it with complete focus and energy.

As Sunil aptly puts it, “Paying it forward will help future generations of Salukis who, in turn, will hopefully keep the tradition going.”